Rattle Sound on 2.2L - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cpy911 · 05-10-2009, 11:20 PM

I have a '96 2.2L motor that makes a rattling sound at idle. It sounds like the head shield is being banged with little rocks. When I rev the motor, the sound seems to go away, but returns at idle. When the car is warm, the sound is there at idle, but not as bad. I seems to be coming from the left side of the motor. The sound has been around a while, but I am trying to fix it now. Car runs and drives fine. The problem is not noticeable during usual driving/cruising. What could it be?

Thanks,
cpy911

Tom 2000 · 05-11-2009, 12:08 AM

When you say left, do you mean left side if you were facing the engine from the front of the car? the timing belt end?

If so, check the tensioner pulley for the timing belt. I had a similar problem with mine and it went away after I changed it with the timing belt.

93v6camry · 05-11-2009, 12:27 AM

its.... a.... ghost.......

jayrguidaben · 05-11-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93v6camry

its.... a.... ghost.......

cpy911 · 05-11-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom 2000

When you say left, do you mean left side if you were facing the engine from the front of the car? the timing belt end?

If so, check the tensioner pulley for the timing belt. I had a similar problem with mine and it went away after I changed it with the timing belt.

yes, its more toward the timing belt end. So, I might need a new timing belt?

Thanks..

Tom 2000 · 05-11-2009, 10:09 AM

If the timing belt tensioner is indeed bad, you might as well change the timing belt as it needs to be removed anyway and the cost of the belt itself isn't much.

TMetalMan · 05-11-2009, 10:29 AM

Mine used to have a rattling problem, which I determined was the hood vibrating against the upper radiator support. I put some foam between the two and the rattling went away.

My mom's Camry also has this problem, it's been a while since I have looked into it, but I think it's also the hood.

hill8570 · 05-11-2009, 10:39 AM

Stupid question, perhaps, but are you sure it isn't the exhaust manifold heat shield? It has a tendency to crack over time, and sometimes gets a bit rattle-y.

Have you tried to use a rolled-up newspaper or a long cardboard tube to try to isolate the area a bit? Watch out for the belts over there, of course...

jmborchers · 05-11-2009, 11:22 AM

Make sure the bolt from the dog bone motor mount (strut tower to motor mount) is torqued to spec. If this is loose it will rattle.

500KCamry · 05-12-2009, 12:54 AM

On that I experienced was the bolt on the crank shaft becoming loose. Behind the crank pulley for the altenator belt/power steering, behind the timing belt cover is the timing belt sprocket on the crank shaft. If the bolt loosens up then the woodruff key on the crank shaft is the only thing keeping the timing belt sprocket from turning. As you drive more and more the hard steel key hammers into the softer (aluminum alloy?) timing belt sprocket, which creates some play on the crank shaft. If this is the problem it will get a progessively worse "rattlely" sound as time goes on. Once the sprocket is damaged, it's about $60 CDN for the sprocket and the same hours as a timing belt change to fix it.

cpy911 · 05-23-2009, 12:03 AM

Took my problem to a mechanic today. Just the day before, I noticed coolant weeping from the water pump area...sure enough, mechanic said the water pump is on its way out...its been going for 90K miles...so its probably time...

The job entails pullling the timing belt, so might as well do that as well.
My question...how tough of a job is this? I just replaced my radiator without too much trouble, but the biggest job I have done is starters, alternators and the like, I have not tackled a timing belt job...it looks scary, especially with the timing TDC stuff going on....

I have looked at the tutorials here, and almost want to try it....the mechanic quoted $500 installed for the job....

What do you think?

Thanks,.

cpy911

Zviator · 05-23-2009, 12:11 AM

All the parts for a water pump job cost roughly 150 bucks. So It would save a bunch if u do it yourself. It's not rocket sience however be extra caution with the seals or you might have to deal with leaking later on. It's normal to have some leak going on afew days after installation though due to the heat expanding of the tubing, check and get it sealed up again and you are good to go.

hill8570 · 05-23-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpy911

Took my problem to a mechanic today. Just the day before, I noticed coolant weeping from the water pump area...sure enough, mechanic said the water pump is on its way out...its been going for 90K miles...so its probably time...

The job entails pullling the timing belt, so might as well do that as well.
My question...how tough of a job is this? I just replaced my radiator without too much trouble, but the biggest job I have done is starters, alternators and the like, I have not tackled a timing belt job...it looks scary, especially with the timing TDC stuff going on....

I have looked at the tutorials here, and almost want to try it....the mechanic quoted $500 installed for the job....

Well, you can change out the timing belt, water pump, and all the oil seals for $150 in parts. First time through, allow about 12 hours (a good weekend). It's a non-interference engine, so you can't kill it if you mis-set the timing...you just have to take things apart again. The tutorials here are really good. Go for it.

BTW, user "volkstoy" on ebay sells a very high quality kit (Japanese OEM) of all the parts you need for a good price, and they ship fast. Recently did the timing belt and water pump on my Sequoia with one of his kits, and was very impressed...definitely not the crappy Chinese-made junk you usually find in the auto parts stores.