Hey guys,

I have a 1997 Camry LE 2.2 4Cyl. I've come across a few problems with my car. I bought it last september at 203k miles, currently has 218k. It used to run fairly quiet, but there's a rather loud noise in the engine. ive had it checked and was told that the only problem is there's a small hole in my air hose. i taped it up and im getting a new short ram intake in a week or 2. The noise persists, and when i ask about it, they say its normal engine noise, but its way louder than it used to be. i just got all brand new engine mounts last week. it sounds like a rattling or ticking sound, and its audible from inside the car with the windows rolled up. and its louder with the windows rolled down. outside the car its almost annoyingly loud, yet i was told its normal engine noise. its louder in drive than in park. i dont remember what its like in R or N. Any ideas?

Also, last month when i was rewiring my door speakers, i honestly got my door panel stolen out of my trunk. I've been to my local pull-apart salvage yard and could not find any. does anyone have any suggestions on where i could find one? possibly online?

finally, im planning on getting a subwoofer or subwoofers put in my trunk, and im curious as to thoughts on 1 ten inch, 2 ten inch, 1 twelve inch, or 2 twelve inch in terms of better sound quality, not over powering, yet still booming and powerful.
I appreciate any and all responses.

Zach

 

For stereo questions might ask at the Toyotanation website in their audio section.

Suggest you use a section of hose as a stethoscope to narrow down the area of the noise.

Check the areas of the valve cover, timing belt cover, front of engine block, accessories, area between transmission and engine block.

Is the noise a clicking, tapping, knocking? Does it get louder when the engine is under load, such as giving the car a lot of gas?

 

I havent had a chance to listen for where the sound is coming from, but i guess i'd describe it as more of a clicking sound, and i think it actually gets quieter when i accelerate as opposed to idling

 

If a clicking noise, might be the valve train or injector noise. Listen at the injectors or valve cover.

Both sounds are normal.

Might be able to hear one or both when driving at slower speeds but typically not annoyingly loud.

The valve clearance can be reset but this is a big job as the system uses shims.

 

i listened and it sounds loudest by my alternator/belt

 

If your careful you can use a stick or something to push on the belt, move it slightly sideways, etc when the engine is running, then determine if the noise changes.

If the noise changes could be a bad belt starting to come apart or problem with alternator bearing.

With belt off the alt pulley, spin the alt pulley. Should spin freely and smoothly without roughness. Determine if the noise is gone with engine running.

 

thanks. will try that tomorrow

 

took it into the shop, turns out its the timing belt. thanks for all the suggestions. ill be picking it up later today fixed.