Tranny, timing, or spark issue?

[rizzo]

I've lost power going uphill as well as noticeable power loss in straight driving over 40 mph.

I'm giving the car gas but there is no increase in RPM or speed and a noticeable chirping, squealing sound from the lower right hand (passenger side) engine compartment. When the car gets level the RPM jumps up and then eventually settles down and the chirping sound stops.

This same problem came and went as I posted about it previously. I've done a seafoam throttle body clean, new spark plugs, and new air intake hose. Old one was being held together by tape due to a complete break near the throttle body.

Can this problem be caused by timing belt issues, transmission issues, or perhaps plugs/wires?

I've included a short video. Unfortunately, the chirping sound is being drowned out other noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zib_tmMk1oI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zib_tmMk1oI

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by rizzo

When the car gets level the RPM jumps up and then eventually settles down and the chirping sound stops.

Are you saying the problem goes away on level ground?

[hill8570]

How long since the timing belt was changed? What little I could hear sort of sounded like timing belt slap. If the belt's that loose, it may've jumped a notch or two -- enough to effect performance.

[rizzo]

Stillrunning - Yes, the chirping sound goes away on level ground and the rpm and speed become accurate in relation to how hard I'm pushing down on the gas pedal. Seems like the chirping mainly happens when the car is being pushed hard ie; uphill or fast acceleration from a stop sign/red light.

hill8570 - Timing belt change was done about 30,000 miles ago. Car is now at 126,000.

Is it safe to rule out a transmission problem? Also, after changing the plugs I noticed that some of the rubber around 2 boots had cracked and broken off.

Really need to keep my Camry on the road.

[sam333]

Is it manual or auto? Have you checked your front wheel bearings? Is there grease flinging out of the boots?

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by rizzo

Is it safe to rule out a transmission problem?

Not enough info yet. Have you checked the color of the trans fluid (assuming auto)? Is car shifting normally? You could do a load test. Apply emergency brake and stand on brake pedal then while in gear slowly depress accelerator and see how tach and engine behave. Don't do this too long as trans will heat up very quickly. If you have a helper (not standing in front of the car) they may be able to locate the chirping sound

Also, after changing the plugs I noticed that some of the rubber around 2 boots had cracked and broken off.

At least it sounds like you need new wires.

[rizzo]

sam333 - car is automatic. Haven't check front wheel bearings yet. More concerned with RPM loss and don't know if bearings would affect that.

Stillrunning - trans fluid looks to be dark brownish. Definitely not black. Tried your load test and everything seemed and sounded normal with no chirping sound. Checked fluid level and it looks to be over the hot mark by 1/2-3/4". Added a trans conditioner weeks ago. Is that a concern?

Upon closer listening I am noticing two new sounds that I don't remember hearing.

One, a low rumbling noise when driving. Almost like a bad muffler though mine looks to be good. This noise sounds like it's coming from lower engine compartment area.

The second sound occurs after I pull up of the gas pedal. It's a delayed rumbling. Quick then goes away.

May be coming from throttle body area but hard to tell. Will post vid later.

For the first time since I had this car (original owner) I feel like it might be a wrap. Praying it's not.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by rizzo

More concerned with RPM loss and don't know if bearings would affect that.

Not just under load and uphill. You'd hear a lot of grinding if bearings were that bad. Raise the front end and spin the wheels by hand to see if any noise/resistance.

trans fluid looks to be dark brownish.

Not the color it should be. When was it changed last? I was considering slipping clutch plates, but if shifting ok and you got no runaway tach on load test then maybe that's not it. Could be engine?

Added a trans conditioner weeks ago.

Why?

No power under heavy load could be plugged CAT, fuel starvation. If you're getting no misfire, then right now I'd look to fuel - if trans ok. If you shift manually through the gears do you still get same symptoms?

[rizzo]

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

Not just under load and uphill. You'd hear a lot of grinding if bearings were that bad. Raise the front end and spin the wheels by hand to see if any noise/resistance.

--Just hear grinding under load and uphill but will try spin wheel test when I get a chance.

Not the color it should be. When was it changed last? I was considering slipping clutch plates, but if shifting ok and you got no runaway tach on load test then maybe that's not it. Could be engine?

--In my estimation fluid was last changed 50-60k miles ago. For the load test ... if my RPM's went crazy that would indicate tranny problem?


Why?

No power under heavy load could be plugged CAT, fuel starvation. If you're getting no misfire, then right now I'd look to fuel - if trans ok. If you shift manually through the gears do you still get same symptoms?

--I have not had the chance to open it up on a long, flat road or highway. I think I tried downshifting from D to 2 when I encountered the power loss problem going uphill and don't remember any change in symptom but will try again. I do get a sudden surge when vehicle finally levels out of hill as if it's catching to the amount of power it should have been exerting going uphill. How would you describe a misfire? Hesitation?

[rizzo]

--Just hear grinding under load and uphill but will try spin wheel test when I get a chance.

--In my estimation fluid was last changed 50-60k miles ago. For the load test ... if my RPM's went crazy that would indicate tranny problem?

--I have not had the chance to open it up on a long, flat road or highway. I think I tried downshifting from D to 2 when I encountered the power loss problem going uphill and don't remember any change in symptom but will try again. I do get a sudden surge when vehicle finally levels out of hill as if it's catching to the amount of power it should have been exerting going uphill. How would you describe a misfire? Hesitation?

[Stephanie is a Rockstar]

Sounds like Transmission. I had this same thing on my 03 Mazda 6. Loss of power, RPM's would hoover at like 2K then jump really high, a funny metallic ting noise from the passenger floor area. Cost of the part alone was going to be $4k.

Sounds like you need to off the car and get a new one. That's what I did.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by rizzo

For the load test ... if my RPM's went crazy that would indicate tranny problem?

I'm not a big tranny expert, but I would think slipping clutch pack. A worn clutch pack would also contaminate/burn the trans fluid and give you that brown color, although it would also probably smell burnt. Anyway, 50-60K on non-synthetic trans fluid is too long - especially if it's brown.

How would you describe a misfire? Hesitation?

Not all cylinders firing when they should. You'd feel it and hear it. Fuel starvation could also cause misfire, bucking. I don't think a plugged exhaust would cause misfire?? Someone else needs to contribute here.

[rizzo]

Stephanie is a Rockstar - how many miles on your mazda when the tranny went? Original owner? Did you drive it hard or baby it? I never pushed my Camry hard.

Stillrunning - Yes, time for a flush. I've included a video where you can kind of hear the engine surge for a quick second after the throttle is released. This sound is new to me. Usually engine returns to idle after release but now I'm hearing what sounds like a quick engine surge then die down to normal. Tranny issue? Car also sounds noiser when driving. Like hole in exhaust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N58bSrkw-gY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N58bSrkw-gY

[rizzo]

Looks like a new set of Spark Plug wires fixed the RPM power loss problems I was having under load and from stops. Will be able to test drive on highway later and will post back results. Wires ... who would have thought!

Wanted to drop the pan for a tranny drain/refill but didn't have correct socket and could not loosen with skinny hex wrench so I just sucked about 2 qts up through the dipstick using a hand pump from walmart ($8.00) and refilled with Mobile1 ATF. Differential drain/refill is next.

Even though I haven't had a chance to really do a complete test drive, the chirping/squealing sound under load appears to have become somewhat less harsh. Almost as if the sound has been 'lubricated'.

Also, something appears to be leaking. Looks to be coming from the area under the timing belt/around the boot (about where the sound is chirping sound comes from). I wiped the wet area with white towel paper and it was black like oil. Don't know If that was due to the leaking fluid mixing with the dirty underside of the car or if it was really oil?

Will post back after highway test drive!

[Stephanie is a Rockstar]

Originally Posted by rizzo

Stephanie is a Rockstar - how many miles on your mazda when the tranny went? Original owner? Did you drive it hard or baby it? I never pushed my Camry hard.

It had 104K on it when I traded it, I wasn't the original owner, I was the 3rd. Bought it with 74K on the odo and only put 30K on it in the 3.5 years I owned it. I only live like 3 miles from my work and its a 40mph road, so I guess you could say I don't drive hard.