Wierd mechanical/engine problem

[nuron]

So every morning, as I turn the ignition, there's like a high pitched grinding noise which led me to think it's the starter. After the engine's running, I can hear squeaking of a belt and a little rattling. If I drive it for like 10 mintues it goes away, maybe occurring again for a second or two. When I start the car other times in the day, the high-pitched squeaking noise is gone. Sorry I cant give anymore information but any help is appreciated, thanks. BTW, It's an auto '88.

[Maim Menu]

Probably a bearing of some sort, have you checked your water pump?

[da_horse]

try and pin point the locale of the noise. also what's the temperature like in the morning.
also if you say drive some where during the day, leave it there for approx 6 hrs and come back to it, will it still squeak?

it could be your belts, or lack of grease in a rotational component.

Cheers

[marc780]

to check this listen close to the accesories at the front of engine. And maybe remove the belt and run the engine for a minute to check. If you do this and there is still the noise, i think it's the water pump (which is driven by the timing belt). Id check for coolant leaking from bottom of t belt cover too.

[white90dx]

Grinding noise at startup (ie when the key is in the 'start' position) is likely the starter... If the car still starts, it is probably not a big deal.

Belt squeal: Tighten or replace the accessory belt! It may also be the power steering belt, but that is less likely.

Rattle right after startup: This is a characteristic of old 3s-fe motors... it is because there isn't enough oil lubricating the engine on startup. Nothing you can do about it, really. Don't rev the motor until this goes away to minimize damage (should be less than 10 seconds).

-Charlie

[nuron]

So a bit of a late update: after hearing all of that for several days, there was a rocks-in-a-can noise coming from the engine and I thought it was knocking (worst feeling ever). I guess it was the water pump so the mechanic fixed that.

Here's another: there are a lot of times where I had to get jumps from my friends since my car wont start. They took it to the mechanic and I didnt ask what they did but my I realized after getting the car back, the presets of my CD player were cleared. What did they do? I'll ask my dad to see what they said. Also, what could be causing a click when i turn the key then a 1/4 second "lag" then the car starts?

[atobe]

sounds like either your battery is old or your alternator isn't charging the batt

[Kep]

Let us know what the shop did. I haven't heard a "rocks in the can" noise yet.

Occasionally, my starter will make a "zinging" noise. Kind of like what you would expect if the starter gear wasn't connecting with the flywheel teeth. However, I understand that the 1990 Camry starter had bands (kind of like an automatic transmission). If these slip there is a mechanical squealing / zinging noise. (On mine, I find that if I wait for at least 15 seconds after it squeals it will usually start up the next time.) On the other hand if the starter gear isn't engaging the flywheel you would also get a grinding noise. Further, if you damage the flywheel teeth there will be a particular spot that will grind from then on.

If you did have a low battery it may not have had enough power to completely throw the starter gear into the flywheel teeth. A auto parts store will usually check your alternator and battery for free or your mechanic may have already done so.

Again, let us know what the mechanic determined and how he corrected it.

Kep

[nuron]

Well, the mechanic changed some fuses and capacitors in the engine bay but that didnt help. After we sent it back again, he said a contact in the keyhole hub was messed up (couldnt ask specifics on how he fixed it) and looks like everything is good again. I dont have to turn off the A/C when I turn off the car and all that and it still starts up.