Tapping engine noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Qpats · 03-12-2005, 11:00 AM

Hello guys,

I started up my car this morning and noticed a tapping sound coming from the right side of the engine. I cannot hear anything from the inside of the car. It idles fine does not jerk or anything. However, the smooth, quiet clicking noise I used to hear was replaced by a tapping sound. It comes from the top of the engine on the right side. I had my oil and filter changed at Toyota last week and I wonder if changing oil could cause this problem.

I checked the oil and it is full. When I push on the platic cover, towards the right side of the engine, I can feel it tap. On the left side it seems normal

What can be wrong with my engine? It has 170,000 miles. It is a Camry V6 SE 1992.

Thanks!

97&02camryleI4 · 03-12-2005, 12:40 PM

The only tapping sound I can think of would be your valves but I could be totally off.. See if they need any adjustment.

500KCamry · 03-12-2005, 03:33 PM

Wonder if they missed the filter, or if they stuck the wrong oil in it?

dna59 · 03-12-2005, 03:58 PM

Yeah your valves could be the one that's making the tapping noises. When I had the problem with my trooper they told me to use synethetic oil and that would cure it. Never tried it though since the problem just went away.

MadDawg · 03-12-2005, 06:24 PM

maybe a rod is knocking against the engine block or or cam or something...

Qpats · 03-12-2005, 06:41 PM

The cars drives just fine, that is just weird.

Anyways, tonight I decided to remove the platic cover that protects the wires and I did not have the right tools. I pushed hard on the cover and the noise went away I still could feel a vibration, stronger than usual, but the tapping noise went away. As soon as I dont put pressure on the plastic cover we can hear the tapping noise.

userlain · 03-13-2005, 05:10 AM

It would seem to be that something is tapping on the plastic cover...

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-13-2005, 05:15 AM

When was the last time you changed the timing belt? It could be time to replace the pulley and the tensioner too. Might as well change the waterpump and the serp. belt while you're doing this. Check for leaking seals too.

Qpats · 03-13-2005, 09:37 AM

The timing belt is on the left side of the engine. There is not noise or vibration on that side.
On the right side, there is a stronger vibration and the tapping noise comes from there. However, if I firmly push on the plastic cover and hold it, the noise goes away. I will try to remove it. What kind of tool do I need? I want to see if the noise goes away if I remove it

Luckynumber5 · 03-13-2005, 11:23 AM

its an allen key, i forget what size

Qpats · 03-13-2005, 11:52 AM

Is it af or metric?

Qpats · 03-13-2005, 02:08 PM

I found out what's wrong with the car but I don't know how to fix it.

I removed the plastic cover and I saw three wires for the spark plugs and on the right side, we can wiggle the wire, it is not in the hole as tight as the other ones... do you know how I can fix it? That is why yesterday when I pushed on the plastic cover the noise would go away, it pushed on that wire....

Qpats · 03-13-2005, 03:10 PM

I pulled on the wire and I can see the spark plug in the hole... I put back the wire on the plug but it will not go in all the way down. The other wires seems to be inserted firmly on the spark plug

Don't know what cause this

***Your Uncle Moe*** · 03-13-2005, 04:33 PM

It sound sto me like a noisy lifter. I have the same exact problem. It wont affect anything but the sound WILL get louder and louder over time. They sell some stuff that you can add to your oil that should cure it (Lucas Oil).

Qpats · 03-13-2005, 04:35 PM

I am going to take it to Toyota tommorow, I removed the wire, tried to put it back on the spark plug but it will not go all the way down...

I dont know why...