I have a 96 Tacoma with a 3.4 at 199k miles. last time I changed the oil there were tiny gold flecks in the oil, no shavings on the magnetic drain plug.

I've put a few miles on it since and just pulled the dipstick and there were flecks on the dipstick as well but it's not making any noises or running worse.

How catastrophic is this? I don't know whether I should run it until it blows up or sell it and buy something else

 

It may be that a bearing is getting chewed up.

 

my buddy suggested I do an oil analysis to get an idea of what's going on instead of paying a shop to tear into it.

I guess that'll give me an idea of whether I should be looking into a rebuild or another truck

 

I've used Blackstone Labs and they picked up when my HG was slightly leaking internally. At least you'll what the high values are and what might be generating the metal. Maybe take a peek under the valve covers too?

 

from my recent experience, i would take a look at all of your spark plugs before you drive it any more.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120...engine-285120/

 

hmm I'm a little apprehensive to tear into it at this point. With my luck I'd make it worse

Might be worth a shot but I don't have a CEL and it's not making any noises

 

Blackstone labs does used oil analysis. Look 'em up online.

 

+1 on blackstone, they will tell you what particles are in the oil.

Just from the info provided it sounds like you're eating main/rod bearings and they are on the way out. If you catch it soon enough you should be able to just get away with replacing the ones that are bad without any other damage, run it too long and you have the chance of screwing up a lot more and having much bigger problems.

 

the report came back clear so maybe I'm losing my mind

 

Can you post the full report?

 

"there's no significant fuel or coolant present, and the air and oil filters are fine (see silicon/insolubles)."