03 camry ticking/clicking noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

brianh · 09-25-2003, 07:32 PM

Hi Folks,

I just bought an 03 camry LE, and I am mostly happy with it, except for an annoying ticking/clicking noise that I get from the passenger side of the engine compartment. I have scoured the web looking for answers, but I have not found any.

The noise is not too loud, but my ears are unfortunately tuned to that sound. It does not matter if if the car is cold, idiling or highway speeds, I still get the same sound.

I have tried to isolate the noise by opening the hood and listening, but all I could gather is that this noise is coming from the passenger side of the engine. I tried to see if the alternator belt is causing the problem, but I am not sure.

Someone else is also having the same problem, and his car has 5000 miles, so it is not a break in issue. BTW this is a 2AZ-FE engine.

Here is how the noise sounds:

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tv...engine_tap.wav I have also attached this file.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

kgasso · 09-25-2003, 09:53 PM

Timing chain?

That's my best guess... sorry.

brianh · 09-25-2003, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the reply...Why do you think it is the timing belt? The evidence so far is that a 03 camry with 59 miles and one with 5000 miles both have this same problem. I'll keep the timing belt in mind....

I wonder if it is possible for folks owning a 03 camry LE (japan build 4 cylinder) can check to see if they are getting this noise? I appreciate the feedback and the help

Regards!

fungke · 09-25-2003, 11:13 PM

dunno if my feedbacks helps but i am driving an 03 SE i4 built in japan and i don't hear the noise. however, i feel as though my engine is louder in the cabin than when i first got it. i have about 6000km on it.

brianh · 09-25-2003, 11:21 PM

I have read in a few places that the new camry is slightly louder than the older one. My experience is that it is quiter..I dont know if my opinion will remain the same.

I think the SE has the same engine as the LE, but I dont know if some of the finer tuning in the SE make this comparision a conclusive one. Thanks for the feedback!

1200mk · 09-26-2003, 02:15 AM

I have an 03 v6 SE and I hear a clicking noise right in my dash(around the cd player).

Just started like a week ago. And I barely have 2k miles on it

...

I guess domestically built cars aren't that good of quality as i thought even coming from Toyota.

brianh · 09-26-2003, 08:15 AM

My 01 camry had a bit of clicking noise from the ac vent, but it would be intermittent. I have not gotten anything from the console on the 03 camry yet.

I imagine the noise does not sound like the one on the .wav file in my first post... right?

VVT-i Owns · 09-26-2003, 12:32 PM

Normal......its really loud on a cold idle.

Something with the valve train.......most likely the chain.

brianh · 09-26-2003, 02:41 PM

I took it to the shop today and had the mechanic look at it. He said that this is normal, like I expected

.

My observation is that the noise is pretty consistent all the time. Are you saying that the noise changes in its pitch?

VVT-i Owns · 09-26-2003, 06:19 PM

No i'm saying it changes loudness....

I.e. when u start ur cold engine, the friction is at the greatest cause the oil is in ur pan.

But when it warms up the oil lubs ur valve train and less friction probably means less noise ?

mtnet2000 · 09-26-2003, 10:02 PM

I have the same noise on my Gen5 02 w/32,000. Several Mechanics have told it the Fuel Injectors, there basically Soleniods and that's the clicking sound you have

brianh · 09-26-2003, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the info!! I think I am convinced that all camry's (03 LE) have this noise.

Does the fuel injector/solonoid exist in the passenger side of the engine? I think I should get a camry manual and check to what is over there..

"VVT-i Owns": I think in my case the noise was consistent even after driving a while (30 mins).

Regards