Squealing Wheels and MPG, '01

Some of you may remember me from this thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=649508), where I was asking about the '01 Camry. On December 17th, I found a beautiful garage-kept '01 4-cyl. Camry LE with 108,439 miles. It was love at first sight; after driving a few other vehicles on the lot, I drove away in the Camry for an extended test drive, which really just served to make me more certain about what I'd already decided. =P

Anyhow, she's now at 116,500 miles, and a problem has developed. It sounds very, very similar to the problem described here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=663064), but there are a few things that make me wonder if it isn't the power steering belt. And unfortunately, money is very tight right now, and time is tighter; I can't really afford to waste either taking my car in to diagnose and repair something if it isn't the problem.


You know the sound your tennis shoes make on linoleum flooring when you've just come in from the rain, and pivot on one foot? "The Noise" is a lot like that.
There is very little, if any, discernable whining sound like a straining power steering motor makes - and I know what one of those sounds like, having dealt with failing PS motors before. (unless my memory fails me, which is always possible =P)
The noise ALWAYS and only occurs at low speeds, in first gear.
It happens most often when I'm pressing the brakes while turning the steering wheel sharply. For some reason, it seems to happen more often in reverse than in forward motion.
It happens more often and is louder on cold mornings, and rarely on warm days when the engine is hot - but it does still happen.
Though it occurs most often while parking, it also happens while making a sharp, low-speed turn. Then again, if going above about ten or fifteen mph you won't be turning the wheel too sharply anyway. =P
The noise seems to be coming from somewhere around the steering column . . . or behind it, of course. But I barely feel any vibration through the wheel; most of what I feel is through the brake pedal.


I also have another little question . . . I drive my Camry gently, with a totally clean trunk and interior (no excess weight), I only weigh 150 pounds myself, I keep the RPMs under 2.5-3k most of the time, I coast often, a good 2/3 or more of my driving is on the highway, I have a fresh, clean air filter and tires inflated to 90% of the max listed on the sidewall (which is about six psi greater than indicated on the door) . . . yet I've never been able to get better than 28mpg, measuring my economy with every tank. Twice I've gotten in the 25mpg range, and three times I've gotten just over 28 . . . I almost always get between 26.75 and 27.5. I'm having some trouble understanding why I can't get any better than that, honestly. I was able to do nearly as well back in the day with my V6 Chevy Malibu, even though I had something of a lead foot back then.

Stop worrying about your mileage. You're getting about what the car can give you. Government mileage estimates quoted on the window sticker are an estimate at best and are nearly always high. Knock at least 10% off and they get closer to the actual mileage you'll get. Scroll to Fuel Mileage here: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2001&make=Toyota&model=Camry&trimid=-1
My daughter has my 94 2.4 ltr at college right now but I recall getting 27-28 on the highway and around 21-22 around town.

Your noise sounds like a worn or loose PS belt.

Thanks for the link! I was going by a number I found somewhere else . . . I don't even remember where, but it said 24 city/ 32 highway. If I'd known the LE was rated for different mileage, I'd have been pretty pleased with a 27mpg average. Especially since my younger sister, in a comparable (for weight and power, anyway) 2003 2.4L Galant ES, can't claim such good efficiency . . . and her car's only got 70k. =P

Where would you personally recommend me taking my car to get this checked out? I'd crawl under there myself and see what I could do, but that lingering neck injury from the wreck . . . so anyhow, from what you know, would you recommend a Toyota dealership, or a reputable full-service mechanic, or would it be cheaper (and better) to go with a specialist of some kind?

EDIT: Um, I also found this thread (http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/archive/topic/179259-1.html), suggesting it may be a simple issue with lubrication . . . I'll have to investigate that myself in the driveway before I head off to work, but has anyone else experienced a similar problem that turned out to be a lube issue?

ANOTHER EDIT: Well, I sat in the driveway and just turned the wheel to the stops in both directions before I left for work, the engine was still cold . . . and I couldn't make the noise! It seems to be even more temperature-dependant than I'd thought. At about 60 degrees F and above, it practically never happens. I called the local Toyota dealership, which my mom has dealt with numerous times for her Corolla, and from my description they said it was most likely a simple lube issue. So if another cold front comes through before the infamous Texas summer heat kicks in (lol), I'll try that, and update this thread or make a new one to let you guys know of the result.

"From your description of squeal, it sounds like the power steering belt is a bit loose and slipping a bit under load. Tighten the belt yourself or take it to a professional to have it tightened. The labor will be minimum."


This was my answer to that other thread you referenced and I would suggest you also try the same thing. Why is it weather related, you might ask. It's because the warmer temperatures expand the rubber belt just a bit and it grabs the pulleys better. That's also why many people also get a slight squeak on cold engine start-up and then it goes away in a few minutes. The belt heats up a bit as it is riding on the pulleys and also expands, making it grab the pulleys tighter.

Mike

PS: The fuel mileage you are getting sounds outstanding to me. I wouldn't worry about it.

It's because the warmer temperatures expand the rubber belt just a bit and it grabs the pulleys better.
Ah, that makes sense. (I shoulda realized that >.>) I'll give tightening a shot - with my two jackstands, I should be able to get it up high enough that I can get under without twisting my neck. =P Only trouble is, I can't quite seem to find where the power steering belt is located. I have a few ideas, but I don't want to go in there and start taking things apart just to figure out what's what. In the "Technical Manuals" forum I did find a site that had some good text, but very few pictures, which unfortunately are what I need. Or a better description of where in relation to something easily visible that belt is. Like, is it in the big, hemispherical housing that's mounted on the firewall just above where the steering wheel's rod (dunno the technical term) comes through? Or is it much smaller, and somewhere in the assembly that has the power steering fluid reservoir? I've done a few searches, to no avail. I'm still searching, but it'd be much easier if someone could tell me where it is . . . I want to buy a repair manual for my car, but can't afford it at the moment, unfortunately.

EDIT: I may have just answered my own question - I still haven't been UNDER the front end. I only examined it from above. By the same token, jackstands won't help my neck if I have to go at it from the top (since I won't have to jack up the car, obviously, but will instead have to crane my neck over it) - but it should be a pretty easy thing, once I know where it is.

Look at the belt from above where it attaches to the power steering pump. That will tell you which belt you have to tighten. Then get underneath, since you will have to lever and tighten it from underneath.

Also, there is a Toyota generation 4 factory service manual stickied at the top of this forum's home page, that is available for free downloading. I also use Autozone's on-line website from time to time. They have online technical service manuals, but I don't think their Camry manual goes beyond a generation 3 (1992-1966) manual. However, the tightening procedure they list for the generation 3, should be the same for the generation 4.

Give it a try.

Mike

Turns out it wasn't so much loose as it was cracked and needing replacement. =\ Ditto the serpentine belt, and it was due for an oil change so I took it in . . . and I'm told the timing belt hasn't been changed, either, and is in need of replacement. o-O Thanks for the tips!

EDIT: They've got gen-4 service manuals? Wonder how I missed that one . . . wow, it's a big file. =P

"Turns out it wasn't so much loose as it was cracked and needing replacement"

When they begin to crack it's because the rubber is dry-wrotted. A dry-wrotted belt will also not grab the pullies very well.

Mike

With the belt changed, she turns like a champ all the way to the stops! Even feels smoother - beautiful, beautiful. No squeak or noise of any kind. Thanks for all the help, guys!

Glad to hear it. Thanks for posting the fix. :cheers: