83 Camry with 103k miles- chugging sound, no pinging, help?

[patricia83]

Hey guys, I just bought an 1983 Camry LE with only 101k miles on it. It sat in an old ladies garage a lot over the years. Now I've been driving it pretty regularly and noticed a sound that has gotten a bit louder since the last 2 months I've owned the car. It's coming from the passenger side and really noticeable of course when theres a wall or something next to me while I am driving at low speeds. I'm looking for advice on what the problem may be:

So the problem is a sort of chugging "cht cht cht" sound, like at first I thought something was stuck in my wheel well. But then I noticed it only makes that sound when I am pressing on the gas pedal. I do not hear it at all when I am not applying gas. There is no "pinging" sound like people keep saying "is it pinging?".. no, I know what that sounds like and thats not it.

I've been told it could be the fuel injector, and that I should try running some spendy fuel system cleaner through it. I did buy some "cheap gas" lately and have let my gas tank run fairly low so maybe this might be it?

I've also heard an exhaust leak but wouldn't that be coming from near the back of the car?

Anyway since I am a single female and sadly, stereotypically have shops try and rip me off I wouldn't mind trying to at least figure out what this is first if I cannot fix it myself then I at least will know what it probably is in case someone tries to sell me some other fix..

I live in Portland Oregon so if anyone knows of any reputable mechanics out here that would help too.

Thanks!!!

[sam333]

It just sounds like an exhaust leak.