Humming Sound from Engine - n00b alert

[maestro123]

Hi everyone,

I've been hearing sounds from my engine (1999 Toyota Camry 4-cylinder, 82k mileage) and I'm hoping some of you on this forum might be able to give me suggestions. I'm very new to cars (just out of college), so I would love to hear any tips/advice.

So a few days ago, I noticed a slight humming coming from the engine. It's really noticeable when I'm accelerating at slower speeds, but I don't hear to much of it when driving at higher speeds. And the noise is really inconsistent -- sometimes I hear it, sometimes I don't. I bought a Haynes book to see if I could pinpoint where the noise was coming from. After propping open the hood and letting the engine run, the noise seemed to be coming from the alternator. However, after putting my ear right next to the alternator, the noise didn't seem to originate from there, but from somewhere slight underneath it.

I don't really know what to make of the noise. Is this some kind of belt problem? To be honest I've been a little late on the last couple oil changes I've done (~5-6k), so I don't know if it has anything to do with that. I'd be thankful for any thoughts you guys might have. Thanks!

[RedPhoenix]

Well first I would do an oil change. Can you heard the location in the engine bay its humming at, that would help

[maestro123]

Originally Posted by RedPhoenix

Well first I would do an oil change. Can you heard the location in the engine bay its humming at, that would help

I did a Jiffy Lube oil change this past Sunday and had continued to hear the noise on Mon. and Tues, even after the oil change. However, I haven't heard the noise today oddly enough. Neither on my way to work or during lunch. Dunno if it has to do with the colder whether or anything, but I will have to keep you guys posted. As soon as I can get a better idea of where the noise had been coming from, I'll post it here.

[stir_fry_boy]

Originally Posted by maestro123

I did a Jiffy Lube oil change this past Sunday and had continued to hear the noise on Mon. and Tues, even after the oil change. However, I haven't heard the noise today oddly enough. Neither on my way to work or during lunch. Dunno if it has to do with the colder whether or anything, but I will have to keep you guys posted. As soon as I can get a better idea of where the noise had been coming from, I'll post it here.

There is the problem right there....Jiffy Lube.... J/K Probably a belt, you probably havn't done your timing belt yet and therefore nither your fan belts. But as to pinpoint exactly where it is coming from just by sound is very hard to do. If you would like, check the amout of deflection in the belts and see how much you have with the engine off. If it is more than 1/2" then they need to be tightened.

[Cyorke]

If the noise seems to be coming from jsut below the alternator is is very possible it is the water pump. IF you ahve a long screw driver or some kind of prybar or anything else that is long enough to touch to the water pump and then the other end to your ear, you can start the car and listen for the noise coming from there. You can do this to any part on the car that has a bearing in it for the most part. You can look in your Haynes to find out the location of the water pump but it is pretty noticeable. It could also be one of the tensioner or idler bearing for the timing belt going out. Like someone else said if you havent done your timing belt and determine it is the water pump or it seems to be coming from behind the timing belt cover it would be a good time to get everything under the cover taken care of.

[jhbhatia]

your at 82K miles, at 90K miles you need to do the following (timing belt, power steering belt, alternator belt, airconditioning fan belt, tranny flush)..if you think about it...just go ahead and do this service a lil' early.