ding ding ding.... sound during acceleration

[duyjy008]

Hi All,

I recently notice there is always a ding ding ding sound ( just like the old telephone ringtone) coming from front of my 1998 Camry (4 cylinder, 2.2 l, auto) at driver side during acceleration, especially when engine is cold. The sound only lasts for a couple of seconds. It seems that this ding sound will disappear after accelerate to the next gear or when I release the accelerator.I don't hear the sound much after warm up though and my car drives normally except I noticed engine sounds a little groaning when I can hear this ding ding ding sound.

So is this an indication of serious problems?

[LynchburgCSI]

Never heard of this (at least on USA market cars). No idea.... Is your seat belt on?

[duyjy008]

I always wear seat belt so could not be the seat belt.

The sound is a rush dingdingding sound which sounds exactly like a metal alarm clock bell.

[97ToyCar]

Maybe it's a pinging or detonation issue, timing off a tooth, maybe?

[73sport]

Sounds like its misfire/crossfire.
- get it somewhere real dark. Start the engine and open the hood. Look close at the spark plug wires anywhere they cross each other or touch metal. Look for arcing.

You might want to pull the distributor cap and look for arc-over inside there too. If the high voltage spark plug wires are OK, you should be able to mist it with a water bottle and it should not change how it runs.

How long since last tune up? Plugs, wires, cap, rotor?
You ever run nay fuel injector cleaner in it?

[oldfirebird]

Loose heat shield on the exhaust system?
With the engine cold, open the hood and hit the exhaust with the side of your fist at a few different locations. If you hear the same sound, you've found the problem.
I ripped one off my Nissan, but the car spends most of it's time on the highway so I wasn't worried about the floor getting hot. Some people secure the loose shield with a big hose clamp. Some weld it back into place.

[duyjy008]

Thank you 97ToyCar,73sport,oldfirebird for your recommendation. I will check the exhaust and spark plug on weekend.

I have changed engine oil about 2 months ago. The spark plug is almost 2 years old now, I will change it too.

I will let you guys know how things are going.

[touringcamry]

It could be detonation due to carbon build up. Carbon builds up inside the cylinder and piston effectively increasing the compression ratio. Try using a higher octane fuel. If it stops or becomes less severe, then that is probably your issue.

This is about aircraft, but a good explanation of preignition and detonation:

You Tube

You Tube

Example pinging sound at 4seconds:

You Tube

You Tube

[PortugalFocus]

It's VTEC... it's just kickin in yo..

[73sport]

^
Unless the knock sensors are disabled, thats not it. If it pings, it will retard on its own and take care of itself.

[duyjy008]

Thanks "touringcamry" very helpful youtube videos.

Part of the problems has been solved! The groaning sound was due to oil leaking at two of the spark plug gasket.

I firstly decided to replace the spark plug by myself, I got 4 single electrodes spark plug from parts store but found later from the user manual that only twin electrode should be used. And also the spark plug socket I have is too big for the job. What the hell, I later returned the spark plugs to the store and asked a mechanic to replaced spark plug for me.

The first two spark plug looked fine, but the spark plug from cylinder 3 and 4 had oil on the thread. The white central electrode also became pink color. So the mechanic replaced all the spark plugs and tightened each gasket. I had a test drive, bingo, engine sounded much happier and smoother. However, I still hear DINGDINGDING sound once during a short test drive.

The mechanic then suggested it may be due to loosen parts in the exhaust. Well I doubt that as I did drive passed some uneven surface without hearing the DINGDINGDING.

I hope the DING sound will disappear soon after a little bit of driving and i will use higher octane fuel next filling up.