Gen 4 - Whistling noise

[mgreenly]

When I accelerate hard I am getting a whistling noise that seems to come from under my car, sometimes in the front, sometimes center, sometimes it almost sounds like it's coming from the back...very hard to tell. It only happens when I accelerate hard and I can actually play with the pitch of the whistle with my foot on the gas pedal (yea i know...but i'm tired of hearin the damn whistle).

The intake is clear with all the hoses hooked up and tight, as far as I can see.

No hole in the exhaust.

Mechanic looked at it and drove around with me. He told me to change out the PCV Valve (small $6 part on top of the valve cover that connects to the intake manifold). And that hasn't helped. He also mentioned that it doesn't sound like anything major, possible just air sucking in somewhere.

Before I take it to the Toyota dealership to find out if they have had this problem before I wanted to ask you guys if anyone has come accross a similar problem?

The dealership is kinda far away so I wanted to ask you guys first. (plus I hate dealerships)

[touringcamry]

Did you have your AC on?

[Life2]

it's probably from one of the belts. My friends rodeo did that when it's serpentine belt was dieing.

[mgreenly]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

Did you have your AC on?

I believe it whistles both with the AC on and with the AC off. That's something I'll check again before I take it to the dealership.

Originally Posted by Life2

it's probably from one of the belts. My friends rodeo did that when it's serpentine belt was dieing.

An old mechanic where I worked checked the belts already (quickly tho) to make sure they weren't loose or worn. Plus I brought it up to the most recent mechanic that looked at it, too. And he said he doesn't think that's what it is either. Then again if I may not be able to tell until I (or someone) actually remove the belts to inspect them.

[Novice_cardude]

It's a long shot, but it could be alternator or water pump whine. More likely alternator whine. A whine is different from a whistle, and the alternator usually only whines when it's being stressed to pump out a lot of current.

Only reason I bring this up is I put a reman. alternator on a Saturn once, and drove it around before charging the battery. Because the alternator was hard pressed to charge the battery and provide current for the rest of the loads, it would whine, most noticeably while accelerating.

I'd just get a quick battery check done if it's a few years old and see what shape it's in.

[shimpi]

Originally Posted by mgreenly

When I accelerate hard I am getting a whistling noise that seems to come from under my car, sometimes in the front, sometimes center, sometimes it almost sounds like it's coming from the back...very hard to tell. It only happens when I accelerate hard and I can actually play with the pitch of the whistle with my foot on the gas pedal (yea i know...but i'm tired of hearin the damn whistle).

The intake is clear with all the hoses hooked up and tight, as far as I can see.

No hole in the exhaust.

Mechanic looked at it and drove around with me. He told me to change out the PCV Valve (small $6 part on top of the valve cover that connects to the intake manifold). And that hasn't helped. He also mentioned that it doesn't sound like anything major, possible just air sucking in somewhere.

Before I take it to the Toyota dealership to find out if they have had this problem before I wanted to ask you guys if anyone has come accross a similar problem?

The dealership is kinda far away so I wanted to ask you guys first. (plus I hate dealerships)

My wifes 97 Rav-4 makes the same "whistling" sound during full throttle acceleration. Up until now, I always thought it was the air intake, but now I am not so sure. What I do know is when the car is in park and I hit the gas, I don't hear the sound. However when the car is in drive and I hit the gas to do full acceleration, that's when I hear the sound. It only happens when it is in gear.

[mgreenly]

Originally Posted by shimpi

My wifes 97 Rav-4 makes the same "whistling" sound during full throttle acceleration. Up until now, I always thought it was the air intake, but now I am not so sure. What I do know is when the car is in park and I hit the gas, I don't hear the sound. However when the car is in drive and I hit the gas to do full acceleration, that's when I hear the sound. It only happens when it is in gear.

What you described is exactly how my "whistle" is. It honestly sounds like air escaping or being sucked in through some small opening.

[atomix099]

Yup i have the same problem... Same exact problem...

I just recently changed out my battery to a optima red top and new battery cables... My battery before was dead to the point the radio wouldnt turn on until i drive it for a while, and the car would take forever to reach just 20mph, after i changed the battery everything runs fine... Im saying this because i beleive my alternator could be stressed out, i have no signs of it dieing since i changed the battery though...

My intake actually has a hole (looks like more of a slice) I duck taped it up as a temp until my intake arrives... So im ur same boat... it could be either one

[Maim Menu]

Mine whistles too past 3500 rpms during harder acceleration. It almost sounds like my Camry has a turbo.

[vmoua509]

i'm working on a completely stock 97 camry 5sfe engine. And a strange whistling noise is heard during hard accelerating from 3k rpms and higher. Only does it in drive and not in park or neutral. I'm also throwing code p0171 System too lean bank 1. I've replaced the primary o2 sensor twice already with a bosch universal o2 sensor. I've checked everything like the service manual says to check and still no luck!

Last thing i can think of is bad intake gaskets including egr valve and throttle body gaskets also or a cracked intake manifold??? Whats your thoughts on this....?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks