Noisy 2SE Camry

[Kingdom934]

Hey folks,

Been replacing parts on the '85 Camry. I've pretty much got 1/3 of the stuff in the front replaced such as cv axels and I got a bunch of stuff still coming in the mail for my struts, lower control arm bushings, etc, etc. I've been focusing on now trying to get the car engine peformance back to par...since I've been running around 24MPG to 25MPG with mostly freeway driving (about 75/25)...a bit low to say at lease. I went and replaced my O2 sensor (It was a little of a tight squeeze to say at lease) also.

What I want to see is where this noise is all coming from. Assuming it's something that needs adjuestment...




This noise only usually happens when the car is cold. When it is already warm/hot, it isn't as loud, but you can still hear the chattering. I've did a minor test drive on a '83 Camry...it wasn't as nearly as loud as mines. It's like that MINUS all that chattering/grumbling/etc...




For those who had a 2SE Camry (or engine), I know I may be expecting too much out of the tiny engine, but for me to climb any moderate hills on the freeway at freeway speeds (55MPH +), It always needs to drop into 3rd gear (I'm driving an auto) to gain speed or maintain. I'm going to be replacing the sparkplugs, wires, cap, and rotor soon, but besides getting an alighment after my front end work, would the lack of power be caused from anything exhaust wise such as a leak on the manifolds (behind the engine), old cat, and a rusted muffler? Again, maybe I've grown used to my Versa giving me decent power on the freeway while giving me 29MPG + (the V's transmission seems shorter geared VS the Camry longer gearing) I'm asking because I never really knew how a 'good running' Gen1 Camry with the auto felt like in terms of power wise and gas...so I don't have a 'benchmark' to really fall on.

[Mike Gerber]

You need to try to describe the noise and give us an idea of where it appears to be coming from. Does the noise vary with engine RPM? Does it do it in park or neutral if the engine is raced just a bit? Does it do it when you take your foot off the gas? Does it do it when the brakes are applied? Also, how many miles are on this car/engine?

Mike

[whitecamry86]

clicked the photo and utube video played. It sounds like a bad pulley, possibly from the alternator or the AC compressor. Try to spray some lubricant toward the moving parts see if that helps. my 86 camry used to get 32MPG highway, when I used to take on long trips.

[csaxon]

Sounds like an old floppy timing belt hitting the timing belt cover.

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

You need to try to describe the noise and give us an idea of where it appears to be coming from. Does the noise vary with engine RPM? Does it do it in park or neutral if the engine is raced just a bit? Does it do it when you take your foot off the gas? Does it do it when the brakes are applied? Also, how many miles are on this car/engine?

Mike

The noise sounds like it tappling noise on the top end near the timing belt area/top end. The noise is just...well the engine is pretty loud, louder than a lower miles better condition '83 that I heard. This noise is usually upon cold start (mornings), but you can still somewhat hear it when it's already normal temps . I've tried testing each cylinder (disconnected one at time time) to see if it was a cylinder, but it seems it may be coming from the cam shalf top area. the noise is most noticable at idle speeds. Can't hear it at higher rpm. doesn't seem to be affected with brakes or anything though. Currently the engine has 154K on it, going to be buying a compression kit so I can also check the compression in each cylinder.

I'm assuming it could be like hydraulic lifters as these engine use them. It sorta sounds like my 5MGE Cressida, but my cressida has a more constant 'clunk', indiciating an issue with a stuck lifter. Again, the engine wasn't really maintained before I got it, so stuck lifters could be a possibility. I also gotta try get the ignition timing. When I had change the timing a bit, the engine sounded better (less chattering), but I had absolutely no power at all. again, I gotta get a timing light and gotta read how to set it.

Originally Posted by whitecamry86

clicked the photo and utube video played. It sounds like a bad pulley, possibly from the alternator or the AC compressor. Try to spray some lubricant toward the moving parts see if that helps. my 86 camry used to get 32MPG highway, when I used to take on long trips.

Yep...it is a video

What is the name of the kind of spray I'll get? I'd love to hit 32MPG, but since I'm in hawaii...anything above 27 would make me happy hahaa.

Originally Posted by csaxon

Sounds like an old floppy timing belt hitting the timing belt cover.

I'll take a look at the timing belt. I think the belt was done about 25K miles ago when the water pump went out/gasket went bad

[Mike Gerber]

I played the video. (Sorry, I didn't realize that was a video. That's why all the questions.) I agree with csaxon. It does sounds like a timing belt slapping the cover. You should be able to remove enough of the cover to see if that's what it is.

Mike

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

I played the video. (Sorry, I didn't realize that was a video. That's why all the questions.) I agree with csaxon. It does sounds like a timing belt slapping the cover. You should be able to remove enough of the cover to see if that's what it is.

Mike

Haha no problem.

Thanks, I'll take a look into it tomorrow. I also gotta check out what is causing a little hard time starting when engine is cold. Used to be super fast start (like turn key and wam, on), but now I gotta crank it once, starts sputters and dies and try again.