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Drone when accelerator pressed

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vanib

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
For the past 3 months, I am hearing a drone whenever I press the accelerator. It does matter which gear or rpm. As soon as you leave it, the drone stops.

With my winter tires now on, that noise is camouflaged but I can still decypher it.

What's the most probable culprit? A hole in the muffler? the CAT?

I was planning to do a transmission filter change followed by a drain/refill of ATF but with the cold weather already here this might have to wait until winter. But my gut feeling is that it is not the transmission.

In the past 2 years, I have changed the transmission fluid ( 2 drain/refills) as well as the rear differential and transaxle lube.

My RAV has 42K miles.
 
#2 ·
I think you might have a little hole somewhere in your exhaust. Do you hear the sound when you're in park and rev the engine? If yes, then you can ask someone to sit in the car and then you can lay under the right side and listen for the sound when they rev the engine.
 
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#4 ·
You may have a loose baffle in your muffler. I had a similar noise last year. My (non Toyota) mechanic said it was a loose baffle in the muffler. Took it back to the dealership (still under warranty) but they failed to identify the noise. Had to take it back 4 times before they conceded that it was indeed a loose baffle in the muffler. They replaced the muffler - noise gone.
 
#5 ·
vanib said:
That's the plan .. lay on the cold floor ... and inhale the fumes :)
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Yeah well, either that or stop pressing on the accelerator. ;) Sounds simple to me. :shrug:
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
dandel said:
You may have a loose baffle in your muffler. I had a similar noise last year. My (non Toyota) mechanic said it was a loose baffle in the muffler. Took it back to the dealership (still under warranty) but they failed to identify the noise. Had to take it back 4 times before they conceded that it was indeed a loose baffle in the muffler. They replaced the muffler - noise gone.
Click to expand...
Did they change the Catalytic converter too?
 
#11 ·
vanib said:
For the past 3 months, I am hearing a drone whenever I press the accelerator. It does matter which gear or rpm. As soon as you leave it, the drone stops.
Click to expand...
I hope I never hear a drone when I hit the accelerator. That could make for a bad day. :eek:
Image



Sorry...I had too much coffee this morning. :lol:
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I had Mr. Muffler check for holes in the exhaust system. None that they could find.

I did a one more drain/refill of WS transmission oil and also changed the transmission filter. Now the drone sound is almost gone! Can someone explain what could have done that?
The torque converter got fresher fluid? That done noise was there even if accelerating on the same gear.

The fluid as also pretty fresh; 2 drain/refills by

I booked an appoinment only a day before to have Toyota have a look at it.

I guess I will cancel the appointment and monitor for the next 2 years. If it is indeed the CAT or muffler, I would need to get it replaced under emissions warranty (8 years).

Let's see if the noise comes back when gets cold in about 6 months.
 
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vanib
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