Weird engine noise?

[mjweier]

So I have had my 99 corolla for quite awhile now, but about a year back I had a 95 corolla. I have been noticing that the 99 corolla makes an odd noise while accelorating, kind of like a high pitch rumble from the engine bay. It's hard to describe the noise, but it almost sounds like a fast 'glug glug glug' from it. Is this normal, or do you think something is wrong? Also when it's cold, it gets cold or i run through a puddle, it gets exponentially louder.

Any help?

[fishexpo101]

That is common on 8th gen Corollas that have a bad exhaust donut between the exhaust manifold and the downpipe or between the downpipe and the catalytic converter.

Makes a funny noise when accelerating hard and sounds like a NASCAR stock car when you run through a puddle big enough to splash water onto the under carriage.

Could also be an obstruction in the induction system - water or other junk stuck in the resonator cavity or in the airbox.

But from your description (louder when it gets wet or when cold) - sounds likely to be an exhaust leak (leaky donut). Look for the tell-tale soot discolorration close to the joints/unions on the exhaust system.

[mjweier]

Thanks! Would the discoloration just be a black soot looking color near the joints?

[fishexpo101]

Yes, an exhaust leak is usually indicated by black soot near or on the joints themselves. Can also be white or very light in color as well (ash) - as that is a function of what kind of additives they use in the gasoline and motor oil. Can be tough to see - could have been washed/blown off by normal driving. Might get lucky and notice an obviously large gap right off the bat.