Transmission / Differential Noise

[armand]

Hi!
My 1990 Camry V6 makes a humming sound while stationary at a stoplight. The sound is usually heard coming from the transmission or differential while the gear selector is still on Drive. When the sound gets louder, I would then shift to Neutral and the growling sound disappears. This always happens when I'm slowly approaching an intersection or I'm on a complete stop. The sound is more pronounced when the car is already stationary and the gear selector is still on Drive. I don't know if this is normal. I just inherited this car recently from my late grandfather. Other than this annoying transmission sound, the car runs fine.
Is this something I have to live with, or is the sound telling me that the transmission is going to be a goner pretty soon.
Thanks for any input.

[anuthaCamry]

you can probably stave off a rebuild forever if you immediately replace the fluid with synthetic.

[armand]

I just had the transmission serviced. (Drain, Change fluid, Cleaned Filter, Replaced Gasket)
The sound is still there though.
If I were to change the transmission fluid to synthetic, any recommendation?
Thanks

[anuthaCamry]

live with it, invest in a louder stereo, or fix it....but it ain't worth fixing if you're having others do the work, you could try replacing the transmission from a wrecked car.

just look for the wreck that's bashed because at least you know why it's in there..

switching to synthetic will do nothing about that noise, it will just reduce the already high chance tranny failure....

well shoot, maybe it could be fixed...

[ArmyofOne]

maybe it isnt a tranny issue? when the car is stopped in D, there is NOTHING moving inside of the transaxle.

[anuthaCamry]

except of course the outer torque converter, and the transmission hydraulic pump.

[Toysrme]

So drain/fill the differential.
Also, if you didn't have the fluid flushed, you didn't change any sizeable amount of the fluid out on the first drain and fill...

[ArmyofOne]

Originally Posted by anuthaCamry

except of course the outer torque converter, and the transmission hydraulic pump.

sorry allow me to reprhase

there are NO GEARS moving. the outer TQ converter doesnt usually make noise, and if the pump was gone he would know it already.

[atobe]

try a full flush

[anuthaCamry]

had the issue on another car, pretty sure it's the hydraulic system. there really is no cost effective way to deal with it.

[armand]

Originally Posted by atobe

try a full flush

I've done that.

I guess I just have to live with it.

Thanks for all your input

[Toysrme]

You said you just had it drained.
Are you 100% positive it was flushed, or that they just dropped the pan.

[armand]

Originally Posted by Toysrme

You said you just had it drained.
Are you 100% positive it was flushed, or that they just dropped the pan.

Yup! 100% sure