timing chain squeaky? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

97&02camryleI4 · 09-18-2003, 12:51 AM

My gf has a 2002 camry LE and she's been hearing squeaky rotating noises when she turns on the engine (especially in the morning). I listened to it and seems like it's the timing chain since it's not a belt so that might be making the squeaking sound. But is this normal? I brought it into the dealership and left it overnight so that they could inspect it first thing in the morning after the car has been sitting for a while. They said everything seemed normal and nothing was "mechanically" wrong even though they heard the noise as well. They said this was normal. Anyone else with a "timing chain" hear squeaky high-pitched whistling rotating sounds when the car is started?

88 LE · 09-18-2003, 02:52 AM

02 Camry's have a timing chain?

I was going to say that it might be the tensioner pulley for the timing belt, but you said it has a chain.

97&02camryleI4 · 09-18-2003, 09:36 AM

Yeah, the dealer said it runs on a timing chain now instead of a belt. Suppose to last longer as they tell me

Dawgz · 09-18-2003, 09:50 AM

wouldnt it suck if the chain got rusted and snapped while the car was running and the metal parts went into the rotating parts of the engine, OUCH...

VVT-i Owns · 09-18-2003, 12:07 PM

COuld be the accessory belt.

Quote:

wouldnt it suck if the chain got rusted and snapped while the car was running and the metal parts went into the rotating parts of the engine, OUCH...

I doubt that would happen. I think i gets oil like the rest of the engine..

csaxon · 10-09-2003, 12:16 PM

Timing chains don't squeek they chatter or click if loose from stretch (old chain) or tensioner not applying enough tension. It's probably an accessory belt.

wvagravehunter · 10-10-2003, 06:07 AM

I've had the same problem myself with my '99. The squeaking starts the loudest when you crank it in the morning because the car has sit overnight without running, and squeaks lightly throughout the rest of the day while driving...I replaced all of my belts, including timing, which it was. Although I still find it rather surprising that newer Camry's have a chain instead of a belt...

t^3 · 02-08-2005, 01:00 AM

I seem to be having this problem too, as well as a good number of cars out there. The rotating squeaking noise is definitely present on a cold start, and goes away after driving for a bit, I'd guess at least half an hour. I also have a different problem as well on cold starts. It doesn't happen everytime on a cold start, but for the first 10 seconds or so of pressing the gas, I would hear this really rough noise. It doesn't happen if I just rev the engine in neutral or park. I have to be in reverse or drive. If anyone's interested, I've posted before and after mp3's of recordings I made, before being the rough noise and after being a regular rev in drive. Both also have the rotating squeaking noise that seems to increase in frequency with RPM. Just wanted to see if anybody here had any ideas before I bring my car to the local dealer.

cdlubbe · 02-08-2005, 07:54 AM

Hello:I have a 1998 Camry Le with the 4 cylinder.I bought it about 6 weeks ago with 100,000 miles on it.It made some odd noises when first started also.Seemed like it was coming from behind the timing belt cover or the warterpump.It has the original timing belt,waterpump,acc.belts.I had them all replaced and that seemed to take care of the odd noises.Not sure what it was.I have also found that some of the exhaust shields needed to be tightened up.They vibrated on cold starts and made all types of noises.
Everything seems to be fine now.
Chuck

toysarefun · 02-08-2005, 10:20 AM

Belts always squeak, chains go clunk or rattle, but lots of things rattle. My girlfriends 2002 LE does the same thing and she even keeps it in a heated garage.
The belt is real stiff and pulleys are just cold is all.

jrm8 · 02-16-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 LE

02 Camry's have a timing chain?

I was going to say that it might be the tensioner pulley for the timing belt, but you said it has a chain.

Can you give me a little info on the tensioner? I have a 2000 Tacoma 3.4 eng. Having trouble with noises at startup. It is at dealers now and the service man said needed timing tension bearing or something like that - one part costs $450.00 Ain't that kinda expensive
Thanks

Cello8619 · 02-16-2005, 05:35 PM

My Dad makes the timing chain systems for the newer Camry's i4. He works for Us Tsubaki, they also make chain for Nissan, Honda, Toyota, and Northstar Engines from GM. I have been to the factory multiple times and have watched them make the chain. You are very lucky to have chain in your car, the chain is designed to outlast the life of the engine. The Chain also wont rust and break. I wish that my 1996 Camry had chain in it. You should be very happy to have it in your engine, the specifications for the timing chain are very tight. Also since Toyota uses a J.I.T. business approach, so does US Tsbuki and this means Just in Time Inventory, so Toyota uses the best Timing Chain available that is able to be delivered on time and without any defects. Its also amazing that with Toyota and Us tsubaki's contract, if any of the chain is delivered late or defective, US tsubaki gets charged by the minute if Toyota's production line is stoped. Well if anyone has any questions on what goes into making timing chain, just ask me.

97&02camryleI4 · 02-20-2005, 12:01 PM

cello8619, so are there any drawbacks for a timing chain?

dna59 · 02-20-2005, 01:06 PM

^^Yeah I was wondering the same thing. What are the pros and cons.

Cello8619 · 02-20-2005, 07:51 PM

I will ask my Dad, but the only downfalls, are that they cost more than a timing belt, and they tend to be alittle bit louder than a timing belt. And another downfal for the dealerships is that they normally never have to be replaced. I also belive that engines that use timing chain are normally, interference ones, since it is very rare for a chain to break. I will double check with my dad about the pros and cons to it.