5S-FE engine sound

[Camry1111]

Hi

I've had a 94 camry 2.2 for about a month and wonder how the engine should sound on these cars.

its got 202km(120Miles) on it

It seems to me that there are various sounds that are a bit strange but im not sure if its just the engine running like this or if something could be in need of attention.

Cold start:

• Slight whining noise (dissapears after 2-3 minutes)
  • I have just replaced water pump and timing belt(sound was like this before and after change)

Acceleration:

• between 2-3k rpm it sounds a bit rough
  • 1-2k rpm = Hummm
  • 2-3k rpm = BRRRR (growl)
  • 3k- rpm = Hummm(slightly growly but not as much as between 2-3k)
• The BRRRRing between 2-3k seems louder when engine is cold
• Could this be some ignition knocking(havent tried higher octane fuel yet)?

I have just replaced air filter and spark plugs allso, engine sound havent changed

Otherwise the engine seems in good condition. good fuel economy(7L/100km, 35mpg) and idles nicely.

[Tom 2000]

It's hard to describe how an engine sounds using words, but your description is about what my engine sounds like as well.

[dipstick97]

Camry engine really is not a silent mover... has power but you really have to tolerate the engine noise. Newer cars has engine shroud cover to lessen the noise, mine gen 4 camry sounds same too.

[JohnGD]

Whining noise: is it coming from the alternator or the transmission area?

If bearing (AC clutch, alternator, timing pulleys) would be more with grinding sounds as well.

It would help to locate the general area of the noise. Be careful of moving engine parts.

Originally Posted by Camry1111

Cold start:

• Slight whining noise (dissapears after 2-3 minutes)
  • I have just replaced water pump and timing belt(sound was like this before and after change)

Acceleration:

• between 2-3k rpm it sounds a bit rough
  • 1-2k rpm = Hummm
  • 2-3k rpm = BRRRR (growl)
  • 3k- rpm = Hummm(slightly growly but not as much as between 2-3k)
• The BRRRRing between 2-3k seems louder when engine is cold
• Could this be some ignition knocking(havent tried higher octane fuel yet)?

I have just replaced air filter and spark plugs allso, engine sound havent changed

Otherwise the engine seems in good condition. good fuel economy(7L/100km, 35mpg) and idles nicely.

[idrum2loud]

Originally Posted by Camry1111

Acceleration:

• between 2-3k rpm it sounds a bit rough
  • 1-2k rpm = Hmmm ( Sound of engine wondering what your doing )
  • 2-3k rpm = BRRRR ( Sound of engine finding out what your doing )
  • 3k- rpm = Hmmm! ( Sound of engine before flux compacitor kicks in )

[Camry1111]

Seems to me like the whining noise comes from somehere around the top of the engine. cams or maybe inlet manilfold? definitely not the alternator.

Could the camgears be running dry until oil is circulating propperly?

No grinding noise as far as i can tell. Maybe some slight ticking from the walves. i'll check if the ticking is there when engine is at normal operating temperature tomorrow. I havent got AC so rule that one out.

Or is it just be the normal sound of this engine. Its built for durability, not to sound like a ultra smooth rolls royce V12 engine built by an army of swiss watchmakers. If i use my imagination it sounds a little bit like a tiny bus or truck engine. which i would guess is made entirely for durability.

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Whining noise: is it coming from the alternator or the transmission area?

If bearing (AC clutch, alternator, timing pulleys) would be more with grinding sounds as well.

It would help to locate the general area of the noise. Be careful of moving engine parts.

[96CamrySport]

trust me, you're glad it's not a v-12 rolls engine. An oil change would cost more than your car.
Cam gears don't really run dry...unless you're leaving it to sit for a year. Then they'd be lubricated within about 10 seconds anyway. At 202k, your engine is getting a bit loose, don't worry about it. And engines make noise. Maybe check the timing belt tension and drive belt tension, but personally, I'd recommend turning the radio up a little.

Oh, and the 4 cyl engines seem to like to tear the torque strut a the top of the front of the engine. Then the engine moves too much, excercises the flex joint and breaks it. Then you have an exhaust leak. whee.

[gonesurfing]

I also have the top end whine on a 94 5S-FE. It appears to come from under the valve cover, but have never identified a cause. Has gotten a little worse over the last year. I always attributed to the lack of maintenance the vehicle had before I inherited it.

I do remember some noises after changing the timing belt and water pump, that went away after the first few minutes.

Another noise I have never been able to put my finger on, is a "ringing" or fluttering noise that the engine makes around 5,000 rpm at WOT. It doesn't sound bad, just noticeable above other engine noise.

[trinity03]

better check your alternator....

[96CamrySport]

Originally Posted by gonesurfing

Another noise I have never been able to put my finger on, is a "ringing" or fluttering noise that the engine makes around 5,000 rpm at WOT. It doesn't sound bad, just noticeable above other engine noise.

that's about where the intake/throttle body maxes out. if you put a vacuum gauge on and do a full-throttle pull to redline you'll find that that's about where it starts making vacuum again. Doesn't really go past 2-3" of vacuum before you hit rev limit.

[Bdub215]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZr37mNaEVc it may help it may not. but you'll notice that sound at 5k