Low power, noise under acceleration or going uphill?

[s049031]

Car is perfectly fine when I first start it, starts happening after the engine is warmed up, sounds like it's coming from the left side. Coolant hasn't been changed yet, has been two years, will be done tomorrow. Same for oil, using synthetic now, but will put in high mileage conventional. Car has 129K miles. Oil is always changed every 3k miles. New air filter. New spark wires. New O2 sensors.

Sounds kind of like a hiss but with knocking, like a rattle. I use 87 octane gas which is recommended in the manual.

[Tech1984]

Sounds like ur running lean. Check the entire induction system. MAF, intake hose, throttle body...etc.
Also possibly a plugged cat.

[fishexpo101]

Need more information:

What model year Corolla do you have?
When did this start happening, was it gradual or did it just start all of the sudden?
Any repair work done to the car prior to this happening?
Anything else that is unusual - poor fuel economy, visible smoke, vibration, etc.?

[s049031]

Sorry. It's a '98 corolla. My tensioner pulley bolt snapped, had that repaired. My front driver side strut mount broke, also had that repaired. Other than that, I haven't had any repairs done to the car.

No smoke or vibration, my fuel economy is fine.

The car is fine until it warms up, I've tried checking for any vacuum leaks but the sound only happens when I'm in gear. Would the type of spark plug have any effect?

[s049031]

Took a short video, don't know if it'll help. I'll also take one when going up a hill when the sound in question can actually be heard.

You Tube

You Tube

[s049031]

Ordered a new exhaust flange gasket, if that doesn't help I'll check the exhaust manifold for any leaks and/or replace the gasket. Then if those don't work, a new cat...

I also got a P0440 code today, don't know if it's related to my problem or just a whole other problem entirely...gas cap always gets tightened all the way, so I know it can't be user error

[expertmax]

P0440 = Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction

- Vapor pressure sensor
- Fuel tank cap incorrectly installed
- Fuel tank cap cracked or damaged
- Vacuum hose cracked, holed, blocked, damaged or disconnected
- Hose or tube cracked, holed, damaged or insufficient seal
- Fuel tank cracked holed or damaged
- Charcoal canister cracked, holed or damaged
- Fuel tank over fill check valve cracked or damaged

Clear DTC and drive for 10 minutes. The MIL should remain off.

Now about your noise problem, if it sounds like little clicks, it's called Engine Pinging. It is heard because you have carbon deposits on your combustion chamber and when the carbon deposits gets hots, it auto-ignites the oncoming gas before the spark plug even sparks.

There is some ways you can reduce that : You can put a teaspoon of automatic transmission oil through each spark plug hole (remove the spark plugs before that :P) and rev the engine to 3000 RPM for 2 minutes. You can also try some carbon removal products found in mechanic stores but results may vary :P

Other then that, there is nothing much you can do about it ! It's just "normal". And it's a good step to switch back to high mileage regular oil (Pennzoil, Castrol are good brands) !

[s049031]

Sorry for the late reply, I ended up replacing the old flange gasket. Problem solved

Old gasket was torn up pretty bad, most of the outer weave? so to speak, was gone. No more noise and I can go up hill! Thanks for all the help guys!