(Home) Mystery noise

I posted on here several weeks ago about a mystery noise when accelerating.

It's sort of whoosh that builds up in strength and a whirring sound in the background.

This sound is mostly only there when accelerating, but on occasions you can make out the whirring sound, (not the whoosh) when the vehicle is idle. If the vehicle is stationery and the accelerator is depressed, the noise does not happen.

I believe that the noise seems to be coming from the rear of the townie.

I am baffled by this. Surely if it was one of the bearings from the belt wheels, the noise would be coming from the front of the townie? Why the whoosh on accelerating?

If I can't solve this soon, I will have to get it into a garage for them to solve the riddle.

I shall be going to Disneyland Paris again, at the end of the summer in it, so don't want any problems.


Steve..

- (#10015) Steve Lewis, 10 Apr 04 14:19

Hi Steve. This might sound a dumb idea....but it's not the turbo you can hear is it? They whine a bit and whoosh too. And the noise sounds like it's coming from the back. x

- (#10015) old bird, 10 Apr 04 16:37

If you are around Bristol or attending one of the Ace Jams I'll be happy to have a listen.

- (#10015) Clive (Bristol), 11 Apr 04 11:22

I am in Kent, extreme SE tip.

I do think the whoosh is probably the turbo, but it has only been audible for a month or so.

I have noticed that my tailpipe on my exhaust is in a bad condition, in fact there is not much of it left.
I wonder if perhaps some bits of it have managed to find its way inside the rear box and is making the noise when on the move?

The noise is only (as far as I can tell ) only apparent when on the move, especially when just moving off /building up speed.

If this forum does not provide any definite solution, then I think perhaps it is wise to put it in my local garage. The owner is ok, I have used him before.

It may be nothing, but it just may save me a big unwanted repair bill in the future, and I am planning a trip to Disneyland Paris, late summer in it.

Talking of exhausts, as my tail pipe is almost gone, am I likely to get an exhaust from Kwik Fit?


Steve.........
- (#10015) Steve Lewis, 11 Apr 04 12:15

TURBO. You say your exhaust tailpipe is non existant. If your exhaust is not in A1 condition then your turbo will not operate as it should. Are you lacking power? The turbo uses exhaust back presure to operate. If your exaust is holed then you will loose presure which might be the whooshing noise that you can here. Fit a new exhaust and all should be fine.
HTH.
Bill

- (#10015) Bill, 11 Apr 04 15:33

As a continuation, Steve mentioned is he likely to get an exhaust from Kwik Fit.

I would like to know any views on this, as I have previously used Kwik Fit with my old Space Cruiser and I was not happpy with their work or their exhausts, even though they had a 2-year guarantee.

- (#10015) Jo, 11 Apr 04 21:37

Exhaust sections are available from BBC spares although I believe the general consensus is that power flow are a better alternative, and not that much more for a complete system in stainless steel

- (#10015) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 12 Apr 04 02:24

Second what Jo says, pattern part mild steel pipe died very young on my Spacecruiser. I was very lucky one day in a scrappy and found a Toyota one still with a bit of shine on it, on a wrecked Cruiser. That lasted the last 5 years I had it, and it fitted correctly! So I would recommend firstly a stainless for life system that is made to fit, 2nd a Toyota steel one new or used, and as a last option a pattern part from any exhaust place.
If you are going to fit your own you have to get the back end up very high to feed the tail pipe through, it needs to be able to swing through 90 degrees, as you curl it around the axle! Use the correct Toyota gaskets - Kwikfit or whatever ones blow, even with half a tube of gasket seal that they use on the "dry joint".

- (#10015) Clive (Bristol), 12 Apr 04 02:43

aha, yes, i would say that my dear old townie is lacking in power, possibly for the same amount of time that this mystery noise has existed, but not 100% sure.

i only discovered the badly damaged tail pipe during the past few days.

i will get it replaced.


steve.........

- (#10015) Steve Lewis, 12 Apr 04 06:32

wrong guys!. a turbo works because of the difference in pressure before and after the turbo. the most efficient exaust would probably be an open pipe. a bit noisy maybe??

- (#10015) john cook, 13 Apr 04 13:25

I have done some investigation and been told by several exhaust shops that anything larger than 2 1/2 inches diameter on the exhaust pipe will REDUCE performance, so an open exhaust will not be of benefit.
Most common recommendation for the 2CT motor is 2 1/4 inches!

Don't all the tech bits but backpressure etc was mentioned.

- (#10015) DaveW, 13 Apr 04 18:53

Have just been out testing my townie.

The noise is only there when accelerating and the turbo green light is on.

No matter what speed the vehicle is running at, it does NOT appear when the green light is off.

If we ignore the whoosh, as being normal. there is also a grating / whirring sound.
It sounds as if it is coming from the rear of the vehicle.

Could a badly damaged tail pipe cause this noise.
Appart from that, it runs like a dream.



Steve..

- (#10015) Steve Lewis, 14 Apr 04 06:10