1999 Cam, what is this noise??!?! torque converter, trans motor mount? HELP!! W/video

[ninjafury]

A friend of mine brought me this car with a bad motor, not running. I put a new motor in it for him, this is not the first motor swap I've done on a toyota. Motor starts, runs good, drives in drive, makes a terrible grinding only when put in reverse. It still drives in reverse, the noise gets louder when more load or throttle is applied. 1. we know the motor mounts are BAD. The torque converter is bolted up properly, nothing is loose or missing. Noise seems to be coming from the torque converter. Trans fluid is also BROWN. I told the owner, could be trans he says it didn't make noise prior to the motor blowing up. He insists it must have been something I did. The torque converter was never removed from the transmission. Does anyone have an idea what this could be? I'm stumped, I'd rather not pull the motor back out since I believe it was an existing problem.

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[ninjafury]

does anyone know if the motor mounts could be the cause of this noise? The motor mounts themselves are not rattling, the noise seems to be coming directly from the flexplate/torque converter area. I checked the transmission with a stethiscope, engine as well. Seems to be more torque converter than flexplate because I can't hear the noise resonate through the motor at all. Help! please! I'm stumped!

[Gonzo64]

almost sounds like exhaust shield is rattling. The motors mounts are shot and could be a good reason why something is rattling. Use something to keep the motor from rocking forward and see if it stops.

[JohnGD]

Originally Posted by ninjafury

I told the owner, could be trans he says it didn't make noise prior to the motor blowing up. He insists it must have been something I did.

This part sucks. That's why always be careful before touching a friend's car. It's always the last mechanic's fault.

Originally Posted by ninjafury

A friend of mine brought me this car with a bad motor, not running. I put a new motor in it for him, this is not the first motor swap I've done on a toyota. Motor starts, runs good, drives in drive, makes a terrible grinding only when put in reverse. It still drives in reverse, the noise gets louder when more load or throttle is applied. 1. we know the motor mounts are BAD. The torque converter is bolted up properly, nothing is loose or missing. Noise seems to be coming from the torque converter. Trans fluid is also BROWN.

That said, the engine/transaxle sounds fine before you engaged in gear. So the bolts are probably all fine and not coming loose. There is no noticeable vibration either.

The motor mounts look bad by the movement. I'd check the shift cable in relation to the mounts. Double check NSS positions. It could be the parking pawl making a rattle because R got too close to P.

[ninjafury]

Originally Posted by Gonzo64

almost sounds like exhaust shield is rattling. The motors mounts are shot and could be a good reason why something is rattling. Use something to keep the motor from rocking forward and see if it stops.

Forgot to mention, I did use pry bars & a large screw driver to hold the motor in place, noise changed slightly but was still very noticable. I think the only reason it was changing is it was tugging the throttle cable.

[ninjafury]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

This part sucks. That's why always be careful before touching a friend's car. It's always the last mechanic's fault.




That said, the engine/transaxle sounds fine before you engaged in gear. So the bolts are probably all fine and not coming loose. There is no noticeable vibration either.

The motor mounts look bad by the movement. I'd check the shift cable in relation to the mounts. Double check NSS positions. It could be the parking pawl making a rattle because R got too close to P.

Thats the ticket! I was thinking the same thing but I didn't know if that could happen since we never unhooked the cable. But I do remember moving it around in the process of unhooking & rehooking other components. I will be looking at the car again tomorrow morning I'll let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for the help I really appreciate it!

[ninjafury]

I did check the exhaust shield too. I have checked out everything within reach under the car while it is in reverse. Noise seems to be internal.