Accelerating.. sounds like locusts? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

paperbanjo · 07-10-2010, 02:26 AM

I've got a 1999 Toyota Camry LE with around 152,500 miles on it. It's a beater, purchased almost 4 weeks ago with 152,250 but only in my possession for a total of 5 days. A teenage driver turned out in front of me only 4 days after I purchased it so it's been in a tow lot, in a mechanic's garage and in a body shop until yesterday. It does have a salvage/rebuilt title (which is from damages prior to me purchasing it), though I'm not sure if that matters at all for what I'm here for today. The sound is also not a result of the accident from 3 weeks ago.

I don't know how else to describe it.. I was thinking more like the noise you might hear in one of The Mummy movies, but I couldn't find any clips or movies of it, so locusts is what came to mind next..

You Tube

It obviously doesn't sound like an entire swarm, but perhaps a little localized mini-swarm.

That aside, when accelerating and around 2k RPM, a noise similar to a bunch of locusts comes from the engine. It's non-existent below 2k RPM and is not present if not accelerating (meaning I can use cruise control to avoid this, but it's difficult to do that much since I deliver pizza in it). Is this a belt issue or something else?

Thanks.

***fenixus*** · 07-10-2010, 02:32 AM

engine noise around 1800-2200rpm might be a bearing noise. just food for thoughts.

paperbanjo · 07-10-2010, 09:56 AM

It seems to be a bit higher pitched and, again, is only when accelerating (though I may take it on the highway today to see if it does it at higher speeds without acceleration).. it's not an extremely high pitch, but it's not really a hum.. still sound like bearing noise?

73sport · 07-10-2010, 10:56 AM

Take a stethoscope, long screw driver, or even short wood broom handle and place to your ear and various engine parts to isolate. You'll hear it and knowing where it comes from is half the battle. Does it only do it in gear? Or park too?

Check the tranny fluid, the speed it goes away at is near torque converter stall speed.i.e. pull the dipstick and wipe it on a white paper towel. If it black or dark grey you may be looking a bigger troubles. But it could still be something like a frayed belt or bad bearing.

We need more information. . . .

Maim Menu · 07-10-2010, 11:16 AM

I have kind of a telephone ring when accelerating also, I would say the sound is similar to yours.

It only does it when I'm in gear and I usually can't really hear it when I'm in the car. But if I'm at the drive-thru and I drive along the wall to get my food I hear it.

I haven't got around to pinpoint it yet.

paperbanjo · 07-10-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73sport

Take a stethoscope, long screw driver, or even short wood broom handle and place to your ear and various engine parts to isolate. You'll hear it and knowing where it comes from is half the battle. Does it only do it in gear? Or park too?

If I recall, it only does it in gear. I will check again to see if it does it in park, but I think I remember testing that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73sport

We need more information. . . .

I'll get back to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maim Menu

I have kind of a telephone ring when accelerating also, I would say the sound is similar to yours.

It only does it when I'm in gear and I usually can't really hear it when I'm in the car. But if I'm at the drive-thru and I drive along the wall to get my food I hear it.

I haven't got around to pinpoint it yet.

Yeah, it's definitely much easier to hear if you are by a wall or even passing another vehicle. I don't believe I can hear it if my windows are up, only when they are down (which is nearly all the time), but will double check on that.

Heading out right now.

paperbanjo · 07-10-2010, 01:08 PM

I haven't had a chance to get on the highway yet, but I did take it out just now.

The speed of the vehicle doesn't seem to matter. If I hit around 2k RPM at any speed (be it from a stop or while going 40), the noise starts. It stops as soon as I let off the accelerator.

It does not make the noise in park or neutral. Only in drive. Not really sure how I can locate the noise if it's only happening in drive, though, since I don't have a way to get it off the ground right now.. I'd have to head into a shop for that (and find someone who would do it).

ETA: I was going to add that I'm not sure if it does it at highway speeds because of all the noise with the windows down and other vehicles, but when I get a chance to hit the highway I'll try to hit one with walls.

***fenixus*** · 07-10-2010, 02:48 PM

i'm afraid that points to transmission if you can hear it only in gear when driving and not in Park/Neutral when revving the engine.

paperbanjo · 07-10-2010, 03:30 PM

It does also happen at highway speeds.

I suppose it likely being the transmission is bad news.

What's the best way to go about confirming this? Just taking it into a shop? I'm terrified of the costs.

***fenixus*** · 07-10-2010, 03:34 PM

i have a suggestion before you proceed any further.

look up closest ATRA member shop:
http://www.atra.com/

take it to them in the morning ask for transmission evaluation. let them drive the car with you in passenger seat and point out when the noise starts and so on. those guys are specialists in transmission jobs, they should know right away what that is and how to diagnose it any further.

Last time i was suspecting my tranny going bad (bad vibrations in gears) they spent over half hour with car and pin pointed the source of vibrations, all for free (they didn't open the tranny), just drove it to test it and then put it on lift to take a look from bottom.
it came up i had dog bone installed upside down and it was giving the whole engine a swing to passenger side causing increased vibrations in my case. they flipped it over for free, checked the throttle (kick down) cable going to tranny for proper tension.
i insisted on doing a tranny line pressure test, but they refused saying it's costly and i really don't need that, because all works fine in tranny

they are BBB certified by the way, can't go wrong with them.

paperbanjo · 07-10-2010, 03:41 PM

I found two local places and gave them both a call. One didn't answer at all (and no automated deal picked up) and the other is closed tomorrow so I will be dropping in on Monday. I appreciate your help and I will follow up if I have any more questions. Thank you.

***fenixus*** · 07-10-2010, 03:49 PM

make sure they do not start repairing anything before letting you know what's up and how much, good luck

swagger_wagon468 · 07-10-2010, 04:15 PM

TIMING BELT TENSIONER!!!

from what u r describing, its the timing tensioner. i had the EXACT same problem. if u had a vid of it, i could tell u if i were sure. but without it...i am still pretty sure that is what is.

***fenixus*** · 07-10-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagger_wagon468

TIMING BELT TENSIONER!!!

from what u r describing, its the timing tensioner. i had the EXACT same problem. if u had a vid of it, i could tell u if i were sure. but without it...i am still pretty sure that is what is.

are you sure ? he stated noise does not happen when he revvs engine in park/Neutral ...