loud when accelerating - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

09corolla · 07-12-2011, 09:09 AM

My 2009 corolla has been making a loud noise when accelerating. The noise is especially noticeable at low speeds and only is present after the engine warms up. It sounds somewhat like a rattle and sounds like the engine is struggling. The car also feels like it is sluggish, and kicks into high gear on hills. The first shop I took it too thought it may be the catalytic converter and suggested I take it to dealer. I took it to dealer yesterday and they cleaned the mass air flow sensor and said it drives fine. They also said the noise is coming from the camshaft gear and I have an appointment later this week to get that fixed. After reading the bulletin for the camshaft gear, it seems unlikely that this is my problem since the bulletin says this noise happens upon cold starts. My car only makes the loud engine noise when accelerating after my car warms up and it's been 90 degrees here! I am feeling frustrated and unsure what to do. I have never heard the rattling/knocking when car has been cold and don't want to fix something that is not broken. By the way my car has 55,000 miles on it so will be out of warranty soon. I'd appreciate any feedback and advice. Thank you.

***FlawedLegacy*** · 07-12-2011, 09:39 AM

Throttle body spacer might be the rattle, a few of us had that. But not sure about it feeling sluggish.

LeanBurn · 07-12-2011, 09:49 AM

Loud sounds when accelerating, low power sluggish on hills...almost sounds like your knock sensor...Have you changed your fuel source recently?

09corolla · 07-12-2011, 10:11 AM

Thanks for the replies. I often get fuel at different locations. I am on the road a lot and just fill up wherever and whenever I need to.

Should I ask the dealer if they can check the throttle body spacer and/or knock sensor? Should I still go ahead with the camshift gear, even if I feel that's not the problem.

Sometimes I feel dealer is not listening to what I am describing as the problem and is just throwing solutions out there. I am not super knowledgeable about cars and yes I am a woman. I do know when my car is not sounding right or driving like normal.

LeanBurn · 07-12-2011, 10:40 AM

Simplest check for the fuel would be run Shell V-power mid grade or higher for a tank or two, see if the problem persists. If that's not it move up the chain to the more expensive possible fixes.

Don't give up on it and go to a different dealer if you have to. Unfortunately because you are a girl some guys don't hear what you have to say about cars, but you can overcome that by being informed and being assertive.

09corolla · 07-12-2011, 10:48 AM

Thank you. I will try the mid-grade fuel. I just filled up yesterday, so will be a while until I need to fill up again. I normally use an ethanol blend. I will see if that fixes the problem.

Unfortunately, living in rural Iowa, the next closer dealer is over an hour away. I may just take it to a local mechanic and get his opinion if changing fuels does not help.

What do you think about having the camshift gear replaced? Should I do this since it is under warranty because of the TSB, even though I have never heard the rattling/knocking on cold start ups? The dealer seems to think this is the rattle I am hearing, but I am 99% sure it is not. However, since there are issues with this part, I could just replace it while it's covered instead of having problems after my warranty is expired.

Thanks for your help.

cabur · 07-12-2011, 11:53 AM

There was a thread from a Toyota tech that IIRC says the noise can still be from cam gears when warm although the recall only state cold starts.
I'd still let the dealer do their work. If it's not fixed you have a service report on hand that it happened when car was under warranty.

09corolla · 07-12-2011, 12:29 PM

Thanks so much for the info. on the camshaft. I will go ahead and get it replaced and hope that it fixes the noise. I'll also try the midgrade gas next time I fill up.

I will post after the camshaft is replaced on Thursday to update on problem.

RollaRed · 07-12-2011, 09:15 PM

I just had something similar happen to mine. My belt tensioner came loose and dropped the timing chain. It broke all the sprocket gears inside. They had to replace all the gears including my oil pump because it caught all the metal shards. It was covered by warranty. Mine was making a clattering noise. They thought it was the vvti gear but it wasnt. hopefully you get your problem solved

09corolla · 07-13-2011, 08:25 AM

I hope that isn't what's wrong with mine. But now that you say clattering, that is exactly what mine sounds like. If fixing the camshaft gear tomorrow doesn't fix the noise, I am going to have them look at the belt tensioner.

Did yours make the noise only after the engine has warmed up? Mine starts out fine and the noise begins after the engine has warmed up.

Thanks for your information. I hope it doesn't break down on me before I can get this problem solved.

RollaRed · 07-14-2011, 01:31 AM

Open your hood and listen to where its coming from. It could be Your vvti gear, belt tensioner might have came loose like in my case, your pistons might be slapping your valves. or maybe one of your rocker arms came loose.....hope for the least and it be your vvti gear.

09corolla · 07-15-2011, 08:41 AM

Well, the dealership replaced the gear on the front camshaft yesterday and I am happy to say, no more noise! My car also seems to be driving better. I was suprised that this fixed my problem but relieved as well. The Toyota technician was also a little suprised since problem didn't exactly match the TSB.

Thanks for all of the advice, especially on going ahead with the camshaft gear replacement. I hope I don't have any other major problems but will be back if I do.

This is my second Corolla and I need it to last me a long, long, time. My first Corolla was a '93 that I bought used in '97 and drove until 2008 175,000 miles. I hope this one lasts just as long.

cabur · 07-16-2011, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09corolla

Well, the dealership replaced the gear on the front camshaft yesterday and I am happy to say, no more noise! My car also seems to be driving better. I was suprised that this fixed my problem but relieved as well. The Toyota technician was also a little suprised since problem didn't exactly match the TSB.

Thanks for all of the advice, especially on going ahead with the camshaft gear replacement. I hope I don't have any other major problems but will be back if I do.

This is my second Corolla and I need it to last me a long, long, time. My first Corolla was a '93 that I bought used in '97 and drove until 2008 175,000 miles. I hope this one lasts just as long.

Thank you for the update and feed back.
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