Hi. I recently purchased a 1990 Camry and test drove it but when got on interstate, I heard a strange noise Front Passenger side. Any idea what might be going on or how to troubleshoot this?
This noise is not affected by turning the steering wheel, and the noise is not exactly a rubbing noise, kind of like the noise of a clothes dryer running with a couple of small objects in it...Not real loud but definitely noticeable. Perhaps I will record it with my cell phone....

 

this a V6 or 4 manual or auto
engine type needed to determine if timing belt or timing chain

nothing to do with steering or suspension is good at high way speed

this noise ...whats that about... 3000 rpm or less

and passenger side only ..thats the engine side right


noises under the bonnet list
tappets
any thing driven by the drive belts , air con , alternator, tensioner bearings
cooling fans one for engine one for air con
loose exhaust shield bolts


less likely because of your description
loose wheel nuts
faulty brake rotors or Brake pads ,seized calliper or slides
if it was a manual gearbox a throw out bearing
cv joints/
a damaged hub bearing is a rumble noise with wheels driving straight ahead

 

Hi. This is a 4 cylinder automatic. Thanks for the info... It has 143,000 miles on it. I will ck on the RPM this noise occurs at, and will try recording it on cell phone.

 

thank you...
the recording will be helpful

the 4 cyl has a timing belt ... water pump is driven by the belt internal

 

mph Thank you for the quick replies. I found out that the noise was a flexible piece of aluminum that flapped in the wind, touching both the hood and the body on each flap. The metal appeared to be part of the trim of the car that had lost its support ....

 

very good description there . well done

problem
.kind of like the noise of a clothes dryer running with a couple of small objects in it..

the cause
the noise was a flexible piece of aluminium that flapped in the wind, touching both the hood and the body on each flap

 

here is the mp3 file of the noise I heard!...

 

I suppose the noise is gone. Its clear on your sound clip that something is hitting and flapping.

 

Hi coldburn92, Yes, after securing the loose metal piece the noise is now gone.