Automatic transmission question

jruz · Sep 18, 2007

We're getting ready to sell our '94 4Runner, with 210,000 on the ticker. It has been, and continues to be a strong runner but a new sound has cropped up recently.

At highway speed when cruising along (no acceleration) everything sounds just fine. When you get on the gas a bit so the torque converter unlocks (or locks? never been too good with automatics) you can hear a loud metallic whistling sound. Its almost like putting a seashell to your ear, but it sounds more "metallic".

I'm guessing it has to do with the torque converter, just because of when it happens. You can drive around town and not hear it at all unless you really step on the gas.

Any ideas from you A/T owners?

Jim

TreeClimber · Sep 18, 2007

Vacume leak?

jruz · Sep 18, 2007

TreeClimber said:
Vacume leak?

Would there be any other signs? The engine runs fine during all this, doesn't appear to lose power when the sound is happening.

jruz · Sep 21, 2007

Well, it turned out to be an exhaust leak - go figure.

I had purchased a new cat-back a month ago, finally had a chance to install it yesterday. No more sound.

The old exhaust was looking pretty sad, and there was a crack in the muffler itself. That was probably the culprit...and it needed just the right amount of airflow to whistle.