1990 Camry Acceleration Noise

[RNoose]

My car makes the noise of a two stroke motorcycle as I accelerate rapidly in the lower gears. The noise seems to be coming from under the hood. I did have a hole in the muffler, I had it replaced and the noise continues. Also, it feels like it is jumping into second gear, only when I accelerate quickly. Does that indicate a faulty transmission. Any help would be appreciated.

[DonSor]

Does the noise only occur while accelerating quickly? How about slow accleration? What does it do during straight driving? during deceleration? Same questions what is happening to gear changes. Preliminarily, it sounds like you have transmission problems.

[Bossman]

Can we assume at this point that your oil and trans fluid are up to the max line and that you are using a good grade of gas?

[JennyDee]

I had a similar noise that was coming from the right side of the engine. I had thought it might be the oil pump at first. A few months earlier I had the oil pump seals, timing belt and water pump replaced. (143K and small oil leak on the right side of the engine) I brought it back to the mechanic thinking it was the oil pump and it turned out to be a faulty water pump that was making the "ticking" noise. They replaced the part, but I had to pay a small labor fee.

JD

Originally Posted by RNoose

My car makes the noise of a two stroke motorcycle as I accelerate rapidly in the lower gears. The noise seems to be coming from under the hood. I did have a hole in the muffler, I had it replaced and the noise continues. Also, it feels like it is jumping into second gear, only when I accelerate quickly. Does that indicate a faulty transmission. Any help would be appreciated.

[DonSor]

The job should've been under warranty for a year (labor and material). You did not have to pay for the re-work on the water pump. Not even a small fee.

[RNoose]

Originally Posted by DonSor

Does the noise only occur while accelerating quickly? How about slow accleration? What does it do during straight driving? during deceleration? Same questions what is happening to gear changes. Preliminarily, it sounds like you have transmission problems.

It only occurs when acceletaring quickly in the first or second gear. Slow acceleration it is quiet. Straight driving it is a normal engine sound, no obnoxious noises. Deceleration nothing. I think my transmission may be going out, because it does seem to "slip/jump" into second gear when accelerating quickly. I just couldn't imagine the transmission making that kind of noise (two stroke), but I also am lost under the hood of a car. I haven't checked my trans fluid, but oil is clean and so is filter. Would a grade of gas have anything to do with it at all. I use 87 octane. Is it possible to have a trans rebuilt vs. purchasing a new one, or what would you people reccommend? Thanks

[DonSor]

It's starting to sound like it's tranmission although from what I know transmissions will overheat first and then over-pressurize and start leaking fluid - without making the sound you described. It is in the drive train for sure. What's troubling is the fact that the noise you described sound like either a metal to metal contact or an explosion (cylinder firing) of sorts. My advice:

Go to a reliable transmission shop and describe to them your prolem. They will do a series of test, one maybe pressure test. If they give you the song and dance routine of a 64 point check, beware of a rip off. If it is the transmission, most transmission shops have rebuilt units on their shelves. You don't need a new one. Get some assurance that that will solve the noise problem, and a certificate of warranty. Good lucj.

[Brian R.]

Welcome to the AF!

You may be pinging. Get the codes from your ECM and see if they are informative. Then delete them from the ECM and drive it a short while and see if any codes return.

Check the wiring for the knock sensor. Check your ECT sensor.