Hey Scotty!
I'm having a buzzing sound on my 2002 Camry LE with the 2.4L with 215k miles but it only happens when it is cold-started. After a few minutes, it goes away.
I did do your recommendation of removing the serpentine belt to see if it was one of the pulleys (especially the power steering pump), but no luck, it was still making the same noise.
I put my ear real close to where it was coming from, and I heard it very loud on the other side of the engine up top (I posted a picture of it so you can see):
https://postimg.cc/gallery/jtCSxhP
I haven't made a video yet with the noise but I will try to do it tomorrow.
What could it be? I think it's one of those sensors on the right side of the engine.
I was able to record the buzzing sound with the following link:
sounds like alternator or power steering pump. Try removing the serpentine belt and see if the sound goes away.
@imperator he said he took it off.. dunno
oops. in that case I'd be checking on the timing belt and oil pump
Scotty has a video on how to locate noises. How to Find Car Noises FastI was actually referring to the loud whine that you can hear as the engine idles up and down with the RPMs.
At first I heard the pronounced vacuum leak sound so I played it again and heard the whining noise. Yes, it's changing with RPM changes. I'm surprised the noise didn't stop when you removed the belt because that sounds like a case of drive-belt whine.
@hixster I hear the whine with RPM changes now. I hate to say it but the only thing on the right side of the engine that could be making that sound is the transmission oil pump.
@Oskool I'd bet it's something in the belt system, alt, pump bearing maybe.. the sucking noise is what I heard that sounded 'off' to me. Thought that was his concern until he posted again.
@hixster Hopefully it's something simple but it sure sounds like it's coming from the right side of the engine. Here's one of the most amazing YouTube videos I've seen of someone fixing an oil starvation whine on a transmission by blowing compressed air into the oil cooler lines. In order to unplug the oil filter on an unserviceable filter. Not that I'm recommending it! https://youtu.be/rYjwskVRGQc
@oskool so what I'm hearing is: car's transmission screwed by non-serviceable filter. And people STILL try to skimp on changing inexpensive filters when servicing their transmissions.
@MountainManJoe Correct, it's very misleading when manufacturers claim 'lifetime' but fail to explain it's the lifetime of the warranty.
@oskool too much work.. yeah he's got a nice shop, but you could just change the fluid often. Many a car has gotten a clogged line somewhere because of infrequent fluid & filter changes.
@oskool Yep, I just confirmed this by watching other videos on YouTube of people having the same exact pump noise with their U241E transmission. I really had my suspicions that it would be the trans. It has 216,000 miles on it now, and it is showing its age (leaking from the bell housing, sometimes delayed engagement, and even sometimes a delayed response when pressing the gas pedal).
I guess I'll live with it until it dies completely☹️
@hixster Thinking about changing the transmission fluid and see if the noise goes away (only drain & fill)
@david-masterdd-99 those have been good, durable transmissions. Whether you change the fluid or not, this should be determined by the transmission's service history.
@hixster I purchased the Camry used in 2020 at 153k miles and I suspect that the fluid has never been changed. I checked the fluid at the time and I didn't change it due to the fear it may further damage the transmission. But I have seen several people on YT change the fluid on cars that the fluid has never even been touched, what do you think about a simple drain and fill?
@david-masterdd-99 I would Inspect the color/condition of the current fluid first Can be a pain but at least then you're not totally guessing. If fluid was a deep black, smelled burnt and had metal shavings, I'd leave it alone. If the fluid is a reddish brown to dark brown color then it's likely been changed along the way so then go ahead with a drain and fill.
@hixster I did check the fluid and it seems to be a brown color. I spoke to a local mechanic and he said that something I could do is drop the pan and change the filter as well. Honestly, now that I'm thinking about it, if the filter is clogged, then I don't think a drain and fill won't do much.
Thinking about changing the transmission fluid and see if the noise goes away (only drain & fill)
If the transmission has not been serviced regularly over the last 23 years and over 200K miles that may cause more problems. (Transmission failure would be no surprise at that age and mileage.) See the FAQ for details.
@chucktobias He's added 56K since joining forum. https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/cv-axle/#post-16362
If not serviced in since then, I would leave it alone too.
Well, get another person and get a small stethoscope. Then you can pinpoint the buzzing noise exactly
@scottykilmer Thanks for the help Scotty, I haven't been able to get a stethoscope yet, but I was able to record the buzzing sound with the following link:
https://youtube.com/shorts/SxARodPfT4o?feature=share
@david.masterdd.99 Are you referring to the hissing sound coming from the right side of the engine? It sounds like a vacuum or EGR leak. Since the car is idling pretty good I'm leaning towards it maybe being an EGR leak.
@scottykilmer, I was actually referring to the loud whine that you can hear as the engine idles up and down with the RPMs. I'm not sure this is normal because it is just way too loud when I start it up cold.