Hello,

IÆm trying to resolve some knocking in my truck under load. I have a 95 4x4 22RE with 66K original miles on a stock motor. In the last year I have replaced the plugs, wires, rotor, dist cap, hoses, thermostat and flushed the radiator. The truck has been well cared for and the oil has been changed every 3500 miles. The knocking isnÆt causing a CEL but it bugs me. Other than the knocking the truck runs fine. I average about 21mpg in town. It has been happening for a while now (Many tanks of gas). Higher octane does seem to help some but it still doesnÆt cure it. I have both the Factory Service manual and the Haynes Manual. As a result of reading them and searching the forums I have developed some questions that I hope other Toyota enthusiasts might know answers to. So here goes.

1. Is the knock sensor on the side of the block by the oil filter? The FSM says to check the Knock Circuit first but then doesnÆt tell you who to do it. My understanding from reading the boards is that they almost never fail. Anyone else hear that?

2. My understanding is that at altitude knocking is less of a problem than at sea level. I live in Albuquerque (5280ft) so I am thinking the truck would knock itself apart if I take a trip to the beach. Can anyone confirm that?

3. From what I gather from the manuals; the cure involves reducing combustion temps or retarding timing. So for reducing temps I can try cooler plugs, a cooler thermostat but if I retard the timing at idle that doesnÆt mean that it will stay retarded under throttle does it? IÆm a little unclear on how timing advance works.

4. Any other suggestions? The FSM says to check in this order: Knock sensor, fuel, plugs, egr, timing, radiator, cooling fan, thermostat, water pump, ECM. I donÆt think it is carbon build up in the cylinders. IÆm going to replace the EGR this weekend (haven't done that yet). If that doesnÆt do it what would you try next?

Sorry for such a long post. I realize that ôhelp meö threads are not nearly as fun as ôcheck out this cool new 4x4 mod that I didö threads. I am hopeful that I will get to do some mods soon and that I will post more interesting threads in the future. Any thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated!!!!!