Noise and low engine power

Tiny
PAULFM
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
I just bought a fairly used car listed above 2011-2012 model. When I took it for a test drive, I heard noise when I accelerate which then smooths out as I drive on until I brake again and try to accelerate, this noise seems to be coming from under the hood on the passenger side. I bought the car regardless thinking it could be exhaust issues and traveled with it. The sound continued all through the nine hours travel but no new issue developed and I seem to get good gas mileage. The next morning I honestly did not do oil checks before takeoff, I had hardly driven for five minutes when low oil pressure light came on, I packed almost immediately less than 300 m after, bought a liter Total oil (20W) and added approx. 0.5ltr which turned out to put the oil at over-gauge, the low oil pressure light went off anyways, even though I didn’t try to run or drive the car any further before adding the oil perhaps the warning light will go off by default. After that event, I began to notice intermittent low engine power, whereby I will match on the gas and the car would drag, then it might later pick after a long drag, it jacks into gear at times after a noisy rev. At whatever RPM while in motion, the car experiences difficulty to climb but runs smoother coming down a cliff.

I think it’s important to mention that the noise from under the hood is still there, and note; no Check Engine Light (the function works, came on when one of the spark plugs was removed for servicing).

When I went for computer diagnosis, code P0016 and P0017 came up which could be erased, but set back.

An oil change was performed yesterday to a synthetic 5W-30 oil, right fill, the filter was changed and the sump was opened to clean the oil pump mesh. The VVT Solenoid/sensor was cleaned off clogs, the air filter was observed and cleaned, the spark plugs too were cleaned, but with all that done, the rattling/tapping noise like of a chain, on the passenger side of the car from under the hood persists and the car does not pick up/accelerate correctly still, also there is a lot of noise (generally) maybe from transmission shifting delay or so, like the car is under an opposite directional drag. The most annoying thing is, there is still no check engine light.

I plan to service the transmission soon.

Additionally the car was earlier diagnosed to have exhaust Restrictions by one of my local mechanics and the catalytic converters housing were opened up and the content were emptied, the container was closed back up/welded and the exhaust reinstalled without catalytic converters, pending when I can afford a replacement. I still have doubts the catalytic converters were due for a change anyways. Their claims was that, back pressure was the cause for the low engine power which was my complaint from the start.
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Saturday, July 27th, 2019 AT 4:20 AM

21 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,545 POSTS
Yep, good call on the catalytic converters they were probably okay. What happens is the the variable valve timing actuators were out along with the timing chain and guides. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. That was I can tell for sure.

Here is a guide to show you how it works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-camshaft-variable-valve-timing-works

If I am correct here are the instructions and diagrams to replace the parts needed to fix the problem. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

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Sunday, July 28th, 2019 AT 1:25 PM
Tiny
PAULFM
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Many thanks for your response, help and advice, I hope to make a video of the problem and post here also, I plan to have a mechanic look into what you suggested, but before we get into such hideous and expensive exercise or task, I want to rule out this possibility as it occurred to me: the P0016 DTC reads; Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A). Could this mean, it is perhaps the sensor that is bad or a bad sensor would not be accompanied with the chainlike rattle sound am hearing? Because, I read one of your blogs here, and realised a failed Crankshaft sensor can cause reduced engine perfomance.
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 5:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,545 POSTS
You get the p0016 codes etc, when the actuators cannot hold their position and the engine losses correlation between the crankshaft and camshaft. You can try to replace it to see if that helps. I have been wrong before lol. Here is the location. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
PAULFM
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  • 11 POSTS
Okay, thanks, will keep you updated.
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
PAULFM
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thank you very much. Right call on the bad timing assembly being the problem, upon opening the engine, The damper no. 1 and 2 were broken, as you can see in the pictures, the Timing Chain was loose and out of time and the timing Adjuster was also bad after the fix, the noise was gone and the engine appears to have more power now. The engine have a lot of sludge though, should worry?
One more thing, the transmission seem to be under performing, when in motion, if I don't lift my leg from the gas pedal a bit, it doesn't shift into the next gear until after a while that the car must have been revving and I feel no matter the speed I achieve, it doesn't shift into gear 5. What could be the issue now, the transmission? Note, this was so even before the work on the timing chain.
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Wednesday, July 31st, 2019 AT 7:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,545 POSTS
Good find on that one, it looks like the engine oil was not changed very often which might be causing the issues now. I would try to clean as much as you can then remove the oil pan to clean the pick up screen for the oil pump then keep changing the oil every 1000 miles/KM For the transmission issue lets start a new thread.
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Wednesday, July 31st, 2019 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
PAULFM
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Okay, thanks.
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 3:42 AM
Tiny
THANNY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I noticed that my car toyota corolla 2001model started using more gas on trips.
I also notice lack of power from the engine and some noise.
When the car is accelerated suddenly, it could take about 2500rpm to change gear.
Or some time it will change at 1500rpm. Also the car used
About 55litres of gas/pms for 300km journey which is high.
When is scanned the engine, these codes appeared p1346 and p1349.
What is the problem?
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Both codes are related to variable valve timing (VVT) issues. Check the following:

make sure the engine oil is clean and full
valve timing
oil control valve
variable Valve Timing controller assembly
camshaft sensor wiring issues (open or short)
bad camshaft sensor
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PRAMODMB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 113,800 MILES
Hello,

I have a severe loss of power in my toyoto corolla VE-2000. This is specially noticable when I have stopped near signal and when I try to move I can feel as though my car has literally come to a stand still even after pushing the gas pedal very hard.

Can you let me know what could be the problem? Is it a serious one?
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
It may be the TCC (torque convertor lock solenoid) not releasing, or could be more serious problem in trans.

Best advice is to have the trans checked by trans shop.

TCC solenoid can generally be replaced without removing trans, but you need to know what the problem is.

It could also be an engine problem, but based on your description, it sounds more like a trans. Problem
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHARLEE0621
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 101,000 MILES
I own a 2001 Toyota Corolla with a rebuilt motor that has about 14,000 miles on it. Today I noticed after I hit the gas to go around a stopped car and then came to a light it started to jerk and then the rough idle came in along with a louder exhaust ( from under the car ). As I proceeded through the light I then noticed as I hit the gas the car responded slower than usual. It should be noted that I have had an exhaust leak that was repair about 2 1/2 years back and up to this point I have never had a problem with the motor or exhaust.
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSHANNY
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It could be that you lost the front of your exhaust. For an exhaust repair to last 2 and a half years is excellent it sound like because of the lack of back pressure the O2 Sensors are going wonky and sending wrong information to the computers.

Also it could have low compression one cylinder here are two guides to help you see whats going on.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-vibration-at-idle

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANN MARIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this problem with my engine as well the intake valve dropped and then bent in the head. :(
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEPERCHRON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA
Engine Performance problem
2001 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my car starts to power down when I step on the acclerator pedal I have replaced the o2 sensor before the cat and also replaced the maf sensor with a refurbished one
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

Thank you for the donation.

I would like you to go get a scan done and report any unresolved fault codes, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JETMOM2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • TOYOTA COROLLA
I have a standard 2001 Corolla (basic model) with 89,000 miles. When I back down a steep driveway and then go into first on flat ground, or when I start on a flat driveway and start in first on a big hill, I lose power. It seems like there is no gas reaching the engine. After 20-30 feet of crawling and almost stalling, the engine regains power and I am able to continue normally. Now this has started happening when I am driving on flat ground as well, always just after I start the car.
Any ideas what is wrong?
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FISHERMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 938 POSTS
It does that just one time?
Its the check engine light on?
When was the last time you tune-up your car?
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JETMOM2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
[quote="fisherman"]it does that just one time?
Its the check engine light on?
When was the last time you tune-up your car?[/Quote]

It has happened many times over the past few weeks. There is no check engine light on.
I know the spark plugs need replacing soon. It has not been tuned since 60,000 miles, except for oil changes.
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JMO69
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 213,000 MILES
Car wont start only sometimes, loses power while driving and occasionaly stalls all together. Car randomly increases throttle by itself without me pushing the accelarator. Also very loud knocking noise with increase in speed, cant figured out if its my alignment or something else. PLEASE help, ive already wasted alot of money on parts that I didnt need!
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Thursday, August 1st, 2019 AT 10:49 AM (Merged)

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