03 Camry Engine Tap...

[NDenso]

When almost/fully warmed, my 2003, 4 cyl (2AZ-FE) engine makes a very noticeable tap at idle, and at a steady 1100-1400 RPM's in park.

The tap/clatter will happen about 90% of the time, and can be heard very clearly near the front right wheel well, hood opened or closed. Sound seems to come from near timing chain area/#1 cyl. This sound can also be heard while driving at lower RPM's. Car has done it since day one, and now has 7800 miles, and 3 oil changes.

The sound is exactly like a too-wide valve clearance, and is very annoying to say the least. This noise was not in the same spec test car I drove, but is in my car that I had to order.

I have had other people email me, and say they have the same noise, so I must not be the only one.

Two dealers say it's normal, admit it sounds bad, but have no fix at the moment. One said lt might be a loose chain, and said let the car go a few more miles and see if the chain ratchet goes a notch tighter. The ratchet really has no bearing on the problem IMO, because it only keeps the chain from rattling at start-up, before the hydraulic tensioner gains pressure. This engine uses selective sized buckets for valve clearance, so they may be thinking, tell him it's OK, I don't want PITA work.

Anyone else hear this noise, and found a dealer who knew how to get rid of it? The car sounds like a piece of junk!!! This coming form a very loyal Toyota owner, and former Toyota service writer.

Thanks.

[Bossman]

Wow, now you've got me worried. I also have an 03 Camry LE 4-cylinder and I don't hear the sound that you've described. From what you've said, your engine's condition is definitely abnormal.

If I were you, I would take it back to Toyota under warranty and demand they fix it.....period......don't take NO for an answer. You've paid hard earned money for the car and the warranty too I might add and you need them to fix it to your satisfaction. Get the service manager involved as well. Let us know what happens.

[NDenso]

Hey Bossman,

Here is a link of the noise at idle, don't have one for the clatter, but it is much louder:

http://home.insightbb.com/~furmanj/1camry_tap.wav

I am going back, sure I will hear more of how it is normal, then I am going to get the district rep involved.

Wish I could say this is the only crummy thing with the car, but between this, the poor body panel fit (dr door rubs quarter panel, http://tinyurl.com/wsih rear factory spoiler is lifted), and rattles, my long term confidence is shaken.

I will never order another car, and certainly won't buy another US made Camry.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Bossman]

NDenso - you're very good with the camera....I wish I had skills like you do. Your engine sounds loud to me, especially at just idle. Since you say the clatter is even louder then, yes sir, you definitely have a situation there. They may have to get into your engine quite extensively but if they fix it to your satisfaction then all should be well. Thank heavens for warranties, huh? When I took delivery of my 03 Camry, it had a couple of deep scratches in the front bumper and they had to repaint it. Then when I got home and finally washed it, I found a bunch of little scratches all over the darn thing. I unfortunately missed the 10 day customer inspection period so I ended up rubbing them out myself with Meguiars cleaner wax. I wasn't very happy then. But, so far, everything else seems OK. Your dealership is responsible for making you happy with your purchase........please let us know the outcome.

[Bossman]

NDenso - here's something that will really round out your day. Punch up: www.alldata.com

Just click on the required information they ask for about your car and you'll see all the technical service bulletins (TSB) for our Camry. I printed this out and showed it to my Toyota service manager and I thought he was going to have a coronary. He asked me if he could have a copy. I asked him if his mechanics have rectified all of these TSB's on the 03 Camry. I didn't get an answer.

[kjpoole]

Sir,

Noticed you posted this several months ago. I have an '02 Camry with the same engine (4 cyl.). Odometer is now at 34,880. I have developed tha same "tapping" noise at idle in the same area you are speaking of.

Took it to the local dealership where they tested it over 2 days. They could find nothing diagnostically wrong. Their suggestion was to wait until it got worse or if something fails. Utter B.S.!

Initially, the Service Writer thought it could be in the drive belt idler area. They tested that and found nothing wrong.

Has your situation since been rectified?

And yes, as an 8-time Toyota owner, my confidence too, has been shaken...badly.

Please advise,

Kirk J. Poole
Portland, Oregon

[NDenso]

Kirk,

Nope, not rectified at all, just the same ol, it's "normal" routine. Hmm, until something fails, like a timing chain/tensioner that totals the engine? What a load of BS!! Did they pull the valve cover and check the valve clearance, chain, and chain tensioner?

A normal engine should only have injector tick, sensor actuator clicks/ticks, and maybe alternator hum, not this:

http://home.insightbb.com/~furmanj/1camry_tap.wav

I have complained to Toyota, and they say if the dealer/s say it's normal, than it must be. Yeah right!

Piss-poor body panel fit (fr dr door rubs quarter panel), malfunctioning remote door locks, and an intermittent pop in the steering column, are other problems with the car. I still have my 94 Japanese made Camry, and the quality of it FAR exceeds my 03.

After 12 years of nothing but new Japanese built Toyota vehicles, I am over this crap. I really want to like this car, but they are not as well built as before, and perhaps other Japanese makers can deliver. Never thought the day would come, that I did not think Toyota was the best quality.

Regards,
NDenso