Little rattling in engine when accelerating.. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Dark · 10-11-2003, 07:12 PM

When I accelerate moderatly hard there is a slight rattle, almost like gravel pinging inside the engine. What the hell is this? Should I clean the injectors and switch up to a higher octane for a few tanks?
Also
At low speeds I feel myself being jostled slightly left and right, the car feels somewhat wobbly, I suspect I need to have the tires aligned and balanced, is this a correct diagnosis?

oh yeah
Gen4
5sfe
68k mi.
Likes 87 octane cause its cheap

brink · 10-11-2003, 08:45 PM

Erm... does it increase with engine rpm? I had a thread about rattling noises here, there are a number of possibilities.

I hope for your sake that your problem isn't the same as mine was. Mine was a rod bearing, but it coule be various things based on your description.

Rod/main bearing, loose piece of molding, timing belt, water pump, lots of things. Can you get someone to listen while you rev in order to isolate the general area where it's coming from?

Dark · 10-11-2003, 09:13 PM

Ill have to hold concert in order to pinpoint the sound later

But it happens only a few times when accelerating hard, like it rattles once for a second and then when the tranny is about to shift (1-2, at 5-6k) it might do it again for a second. Ive noticed no differenced in tone, intesity, etc. After I posted this I looked around and saw your post. I hope mine isnt all that complicated

! BTW, what part of the engine was that of?

brink · 10-11-2003, 09:29 PM

The rod bearing? That's in the bottom end where the piston rod connects to the crank shaft.

Here's one thing you can try: see if you can get the sound to come on with the AC engaged. That was how I was able to duplicate the noise for the mechanics, cause mine only really happened when there was load on the engine.

If you're talking about the pic in that thread, it's from underneath the oil cap. For reference, in a good engine it should look like this

haa21 · 10-20-2003, 06:47 AM

I have a 2000 Camry LE-V6 with about 29000 miles on it. Since it was new it made the noise you are talking about.

dj14901 · 10-20-2003, 11:08 AM

Could it be the Torque Convertor rattling? I'm assuming both people with this issue are running automatics...

DJ

5Sfte · 10-20-2003, 11:14 AM

I've got it too in my 5SPD 4CYL and it has been there before the turbo. I hear it most in 1st-3rd gear at low RPM's. Next time I hit up my mechanic, I'm gonna ask about it, because it is starting to worry me. I know its not the valves, because I adjusted the valves when I installed my metal head gasket and ARP head studs. It might be the tranny because it has seen a lot of abuse. I hope it is not the rod bearings but I don't think it is because I have like 20K on the shortblock.

5Sfte · 10-20-2003, 11:17 AM

Oh, and if you really want to hear it, I'll just stick it in 5th gear like at 15mph. That is the only way I can duplicate the sound at a moments notice.

dj14901 · 10-20-2003, 12:08 PM

5th gear at 15MPH? That's going to put a huge load on the engine, you're seriously lugging it at that point. It's amazing you're not stalling it. I think if you do that to any engine you're going to hear some rattling!

DJ

5Sfte · 10-20-2003, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dj14901
5th gear at 15MPH? That's going to put a huge load on the engine, you're seriously lugging it at that point. It's amazing you're not stalling it. I think if you do that to any engine you're going to hear some rattling!

DJ

I don't do that on a regular basis, but it was just an example of how to get the sound when I want to show it to my mechanic and maybe it would give someone a clue as to what it is.

dj14901 · 10-20-2003, 10:12 PM

5sfte -

OK, now I understand why you were doing the 5th gear at 15MPH thing...

Dark -

I'm wondering if it is an octane issue now. It makes sense, because you're hearing the noise in high load situations, espcecially at low RPM. The test 5sfte was using (5th gear @ 15MPH) is an extreme load situation, and that could definitely cause pinging. I'd try moving up to midgrade fuel for the next two tankfulls and see if you can duplicate the sound...

HTH -

DJ

haa21 · 10-21-2003, 06:49 AM

My 2000 Camry has the V6 and auto trans. It only does it when I floor it. The engine rattles like there is sand or marbles inside of it. It only does it for a few seconds. It only does it when flooring it from a low speed or from a stop. I use 91 octane. I'm beginning to think my noise is just a normal characteristic of the car.

brink · 10-21-2003, 09:26 AM

If you can duplicate the sound in the shop, take an auto stethoscope to it to see where it's coming from. If it's real loud then you should seriously have it checked out. Toyota engines are supposed to be relatively quiet. You get lifter noise, but that shouldn't sound like marbles bonkin' around in there.

5Sfte · 12-10-2003, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 5Sfte
I've got it too in my 5SPD 4CYL and it has been there before the turbo. I hear it most in 1st-3rd gear at low RPM's. Next time I hit up my mechanic, I'm gonna ask about it, because it is starting to worry me. I know its not the valves, because I adjusted the valves when I installed my metal head gasket and ARP head studs. It might be the tranny because it has seen a lot of abuse. I hope it is not the rod bearings but I don't think it is because I have like 20K on the shortblock.

I just put redline MT-90 into my tranny this weekend and it solved this little problem!!!