'93 Camry Noise On Engine Load

[BobMcBob]

Hello.

I've noticed a problem with my '93 Camry(4Cyl, Auto, 175k Mi.) about 6 months ago, and no one seems to know what it could be.

It seems that when I drive at a high load (over 3500RPM) like getting on the freeway or in the passing lane, a hi-pitched whine emits from the engine compartment. Louder as the engine revs higher

My father-in-law and my neighbor are both longtime mechanics (with the neighbor even being a toyota mechanic for over 12 years) are stumped.

The belts have been replaced, all component pulleys have been inspected with AC on and off, everything that would make sense has been checked but to no avail. The only thing that they seem to come up with is that maybe it's a flat bearing somewhere, and short of taking everything apart I'd like to know if anyone has any other ideas.

And again this is only when the engine is at load, when reving up in park or neutral, it is not repeated. Now, I don't know if his has anything to do with it, but my front passenger side CV boot is cracked (although not bad enough to worry about, and is frequently checked and maintained) but both guys tell me it shouldn't have anything to do with it (the noise).

This is my first post to this board after finding it just yesterday. There seem to be alot of people on here with a knack for troubleshooting, so I ask you now, please help

[csaxon]

Does the sound change as the transmission shifts or does it stay the same?

[Daniel M. Dreifus]

You could try some Lucas transmission fix in the transmission fluid.
My '94 made a sound I did not like under load and that quieted it. I'm pretty fussy though, most people would probably not have objected.
The Lucas has no solvents and should not harm anything. Also check that your transmission fluid is clean, pink color not brown.

[BobMcBob]

The sound does change (it gets quieter) when the transmission shifts to a higher gear, but again the engines RPM go down too.

I was thinking it could be a transmission problem, but like I said it sounds like it coming from under the hood moreso then wher (I imagine) the transmission sits.

I'll ask them about it tonight. I'm also fussy about car problems. I'd rather fix them small then when they are large.

Thanks Guys, and if there is anything else anyone can comment on, please do so.

[Brian R.]

Welcome to the AF!

Don't be too upset if no one can fix it. Depending on what it sounds like, it may be normal for that engine. In spite of your thread title, it is not load-dependent - meaning giving more throttle does not make the noise I hear louder. Only increasing rpm makes the noise louder and higher-pitched.

There are balancing shafts and a gear-driven cam shaft. I don't know what makes a noise I hear, but the noise I hear is normal in all the 5S-FEs I've heard at that speed. My best guess has always been it's the cam gears, but it's only a guess. If you ever hear a 5S-FE without it, let me know.

You're right. No way it's a CV joint.