Noise

Maintenance/Repairs
1

This noise started about 2 months ago in my '05 Camry - it sounds like dirt being kicked up under the car from the tires but it happens after I have driven long enough to dislodge any residue (also like water trickling briefly through a steam pipe). Here’s what I learned:

1. It doesn’t happen at driving speed, only on starting up or slowing down, as at a stop sign;

2. It’s happened when turning on the engine without touching the brake or accelerator;

3. It happens within the first 20-30 minutes of running the car and usually after the car has been standing a long time (first thing or leaving work at lunch time);

4. Not much warm weather yet in NH but it doesn’t seem to happen when the air temp is ~ over 70;

5. The car runs fine.

Any help would be appreciated.

2

Without actually hearing the sound…it’s difficult to diagnose…However are you sure it’s tire related???

I’m wondering if what you’re hearing is engine knock??

3

Hi - I doubt it’s tire related as I have heard it when starting the engine and the car was not moving, I wasn’t touching the brake or gas.
The only time it happens on acceleration is starting up from a start, not while driving and speeding up. I don’t think it’s engine knock - my son had heard it but had assumed it was dirt kicking up (we have a dirt driveway) until I pointed it out to him. He’s not a mechanic but does work with equipment so he must be familiar with knock.
Thanks.

4

Does the Camry have the original serpentine belt. An aging belt can make all sorts of funny noises. Try spraying some water from a squirt bottle onto the belt with the engine running. If the noise stops or changes, then it’s probably the belt or one of the pulleys. I change the belts on my vehicles every 3 or 4 years or when they start getting noisy.

Good luck,

Ed B.

5

You might also just have a loose heat shield or splash cover.

6

Thanks - I’ll try that.

7

Thanks - we’ll check it out.