2001 Echo engine knocking (I think)

[Electrify]

Hello there. I recently purchased my first car, a used 2001 Toyota Echo . It had a little less than 100,000 km on it and it was from a Honda dealership. I assume they changed the oil, but to be honest I cannot say. Anyways, while I love the thing and have had no major problems, there has been this issue that I want some advice on before I bring it into a mechanic and get screwed over since I've never been too much of a car junkie.

Basically after turning on the vehicle and letting it warm up and shifting it into reverse, I hear this rapid hammering sound coming from the engine. It isn't too loud, but is noticeable. After backing out and shifting to drive (automatic), it stops until I come to a red light, where it will start up again. If I shift into park while I wait for the light to change, it seems to neutralize the sound. After driving for a bit and coming up to another stop light, the sound will stop and everything seems normal, though the cabin will seem to vibrate slightly (not sure if this is normal, but felt I should mention this). When I reach my destination and shift into park, the sound will come back as I shift.

When I purchased it, they suggested changing the oil every 5000 km, and so far I've put about half of that on it. Do you think it simply needs an oil change, or is it something more serious (or if not looked at, could lead to something more serious...)

PS: If anyone knows a good place in the Toronto area to get my car serviced, please let me know

[new echo owner]

It will depend very much on what it sounds like and where from the engine it is coming from. Is it a metalic sound or ? Is it coming from the right side of the engine compartment or the left side or middle? Check the oil level, if you are not sure if it needs an oil change or not. You can always call and ask the dealership if the oil was changed before you purchased the car. When in doubt, just have it change; doesn't exactly cost an arm or a leg, you will eventually need it anyway. It doesn't hurt anything to change it early.

It would make it easier if you can narrow down the area where the noise is coming from, otherwise there can be a lot of speculation as to what the noise can be, from rod/main bearings to cracked flex plate, to transmission problem.

Good Luck,

N.E.O.

[Electrify]

It comes from my right or passenger side. I would not say it is a metallic sound, to best describe it it sounds like a machine gun I guess.

[new echo owner]

The drivebelts and pulleys would be on the right side of the engine compartment, take a look at the drive belts and see if there may be gravel or something caught between it and the pulleys, also see if there is any bolts that may have come loose from the pulleys. Do the above with the engine off.
Start the engine up and see if the belts and pulleys are rotating smoothly without wobbling. Assuming you have A/C on the car, does the noise change by switching the A/C on and off?

Beyond that you may have to take it to a repair shop, since I am not from your area, can't make any suggestion there.

Good Luck,

N.E.O.

[Electrify]

Thanks for the advice

I don't believe the AC makes a difference with the sound, but I will try and see next time. It would make sense it is with the drivebelt or something along those lines, since shifting from park/reverse/drive does make a difference.

As I said, I am hardly a mechanic, but I at least wanted to have an idea of what I'm dealing with before I bring it in, ya know.