2004 I-4 Noisy Engine

[optical]

My mother has a 2004 Camry LE I-4 with 21,000 miles. I have the same vehicle, but a 2005 Camry LE I-4 PZEL with 36,000 miles. The 2004's engine is making "rough" noises, very noticeable compared to my 2005. A friend said his sister's 2003 needed to have the water pump replaced at 25,000 miles and their issue was noisy engine. Does this sound familiar?

I've replaced the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles. The air filter every 10,000.

Any ideas or suggestions before I bring it to the dealer out of warranty?

[JSM1284]

What part of the engine is the noise coming from? Lower end? Top end? Timing area?

[TRD VVTi]

Use a stethoscope to pinpoint the noise. They cost $10 at an autoparts store and are worth every penny.

Noises can't be diagnosed over the internet.

[CharmCityES]

could be anything
very hard to diagnose an issue by noise off a fourmsite

[JSM1284]

Possibly?.......

ENGINE
EG018-04
REVISED

June 3, 2004
Title:
INTAKE MANIFOLD NOISE

Models:
'02 - '04 Camry (2AZ-FE) (Non-PZEV)

TSB REVISION NOTICE:
^October 27, 2005: Applicable Warranty has been updated to the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty.
^August 19, 2004: The Applicable Vehicles information has clarified that this TSB does NOT apply to PZEV vehicles.
^July 13, 2004: The Applicable Warranty information has been changed. Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.

Introduction
Some 2002 - 2004 model year Camry vehicles with the 2AZ-FE engine may experience the following condition:
A rattle noise from the engine area, most noticeable at idle or on light acceleration. The noise may be caused by the intake air as it flows through the intake manifold. The intake manifold has been modified to improve this condition.
Applicable Vehicles ^2002 - 2004 model year Camry vehicles equipped with 2AZ-FE engines (non-PZEV) produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below.


Production Change Information

Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date. For California specification vehicles sold, registered, and operated in California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont, this repair is covered under the California Emission Warranty, which is 36 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

Parts Information
Repair Procedure
1.Verify noise is from the intake manifold.
2.Replace the intake manifold following the instructions on the Toyota Technical Information System (TIS), 2002 - 2004 model year Camry Repair Manual: Engine Mechanical.
3.Verify that the noise is NOT present after repair.

[brungold]

^ definitely a possibility.

could also be the timing chain, or serpentine belt, as those tend to get noisy on the 2AZ.

we'd need a LOT more than its "making 'rough' noises". How about like when the noise is most apparent, what does it sound like, etc. Maybe post a vid clip with the sound and you may get more productive replies.
Have you really gotten in there and inspected the sound and where its coming from? If not, you probably should, and post back what you find.

[2k4CamThrilla]

If it doesn't hurt the vehicle.. then don't worry really. I don't really hear anything wrong wiht my car. It's pretty quiet....oh i also have a 2004 Camry LE

[johnnyzee]

THAT"S IT, THAT'S EXACTLY IT!!!
i have this problem, unfortunately no longer under warranty, and i know a whole intake manifold is not a cheap item from toyota. the sound isn't THAT loud or unbearable, but i notice it when driving next to a wall (sound echoes back). i could never figure out what the hell it was.

Also, just curious (sorry for threadjack, but it may help you too)
JSM1284
are you aware of what they "modified" on the new manifold?

[TRD VVTi]

What JSM1284 mentioned is quite possible. It's very common and is also very obvious. If that's what it is, you should be able to isolate the noise very easily.

[optical]

Is it normal for the oil to splash out of the oil fill hole on top of the engine, with the engine running, if the oil cap is removed? Soemone said that the engine pressure/suction should not be forcing the oil out of the oil fill hole.

This is in regards to the noisy engine which I will take to the dealer this week.

[brungold]

ive never had the engine on w/o the oil cap on, but i imagine any pressure/suction in the crankcase wouldnt be able to accumulate if the cap wasnt on.

uh, any response to any of the threads posted above about your mom's car?

[marc780]

remove the timing belt cover and run the engine and listen for the noise. Be very carefull but put your hand or an object on the timing belt pulley to affect its operation - (use care not to get that thing tangled inthe engine!) and listen. All you want to know is if the noise changes. If it does, it means the water pump bearings bad, so change it.
If the water pump is bad and it happened to be leaking too, then the timing belt is probably soaked so you'd want to change that as well. Even if just the bearings are bad with no leak, (You could change the timing belt too if you wanted even though it is early, they are only $30 and it is all apart anyway and then you are done in there for 60,000 more miles.)

[optical]

Thank you for your insite.

I had a few guys here at work listen to the engine. There is agreement that a bearing is causing the "rough" noise.

I'm sure I'll have to fight with Toyota Corporation to cover the repair charges for whatever is defective, after only 21,000 miles.

Anyone know what they call in the industry when they will pay for charges beyond the warranty period, is it "good will gesture"?

[1996camry]

call toyota of America to complain? call the dealer to run VIN STATUS for your car...
call Toyota of America tells the dealer doesn't want to cover under 21k mileages....complain the dealer and tell them you'll call toyota of america..and they'll scare they ass...any maybe they'll fixed... call toyota of america and ask if any extentended warranty on your car and complain....

[daveart]

look in under the oil cap ,see if the oil spash sheil broke off,ive seen this happen and it rattles by the chain and a matter of time before it james it,dont mean to worry you but this is some thing to look for