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"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:ae662$44d2aec2$47e40e57$2230@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Wickeddoll" <wickeddoll1958noeffingspam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:eatmrb.3o.1@news.evilcabal.org...[color=green]
>> Lately, my Echo has been making a wumpa-wumpa sound at higher speeds. I
>> thought it might have been the one tire that I know is bent (They said it
>> didn't need immediate replacement), but it seems to be getting louder.
>> Could it be the compressor, since my A/C is on full blast most of the
>> time? Or is it probably something costly. That 2000 car still has its
>> original exhaust system, so I thought that might be it as well. Toyotas
>> are great, but their exhaust often sucks. Gas mileage is still pretty
>> damned good (31 mpg city despite the full speed A/C).
>>
>> Your thoughts?
>>
>> :-)
>>
>> Natalie, bracing herself.
>>[/color]
>
> Without hearing the sound, it is difficult to determine the source, but
> cars generally make wumpa-wumpa sounds for several. Possible causes are a
> broken belt in a tire, bent wheel, bad wheel bearing, bad constant
> velocity (CV) joint. The sound will always be related to vehicle speed
> rather than engine speed if one of those are the cause. If the
> wumpa-wumpa sound is coming from the car while it is sitting still, check
> the back seat.
>
> Check the tire for any unusual lumps or bulges because a blow that is hard
> enough to bend the wheel can easily breaks an internal belt in the tire.
> If the sound is getting louder, the internal tire damage may be getting
> worse and is very dangerous because it can blow out. A broken belt is
> often but not always detectable visually. The easiest way to check
> whether the tire or the wheel is the cause of the sound is to mount the
> spare and see if it goes away.
>
> Whatever bent the tire could also have bent the tie rod that connects the
> steering rack to the front wheels, bent a control arm, damaged the axle or
> CV joint.
>
> An failing AC compressor will generally make a whining and groaning sound,
> not a wumpa-wumpa sound (ducking for the fwap), and using the AC tends to
> prolong its life rather than shorten it because the oil that is mixed with
> the refrigerant keeps things lubed better and keeps seals from drying out.
>
> A failing exhaust system just sounds loud and the sound is related to
> engine speed, not vehicle speed.
>
> So, bottom line, try the spare and see if it goes away. If it does, do
> not re-mount the bad tire/wheel until you can get a replacement.
>
> Good luck!
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>[/color]

Ah, thanks!

I'll take it in tomorrow - you've effectively scared the crap outta me...

Natalie