Car knocking sound from upper front half

DEFENDER4AVALON

MEMBER
2002 TOYOTA AVALON
3.0L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

After a major engine dissembling and fix, the camshaft position sensor p0340 code came up, meanwhile the engine had difficulty in starting to confirm the failed sensor at bank 1. Please note during this period once started, it idle's real good."no knock noise" at the bank 2 top. After linking the sensor back to ECU, the engine starts without difficulty but after three to five minutes, knocking sound is heard from bank 2 top. If the sensor is disconnected everything runs without noise. What could be the problem?

10 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

When you had the major engine done did you replace the camshaft actuators? It would be helpful if you can make a quick video of the noise on your phone and upload it in your response.

Please get back to me.

Cheers, Ken

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Monday, August 6th, 2018 AT 10:40 AM

DEFENDER4AVALON

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Ken, thank you for your prompt response. I will do just that once I have access to the car. Surely, I will get back to you before the close of business today.

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Tuesday, August 7th, 2018 AT 9:27 PM

DEFENDER4AVALON

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This video shows starting the engine with temperature above 80 degrees, sensor at bank 1 not connected but bank 2 sensor active as at this time. Though failed sensor reacted.
Video1===Firing without the sensor at bank 1
Video2 === Delayed engine starting
Video3 === All sensors connected

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Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM

KEN L

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The engine will need to come back apart sometime is wrong inside. It sounds like the timing belt is too tight. I would remove the serpentine belt and start the engine again, if the noise is still there get started taking the engine back apart. Thanks for the video please upload more videos once it is apart so I can see what is going on.

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Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 AT 11:27 AM

DEFENDER4AVALON

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You are welcome. Though my engine runs with timing belt. Are you not suspecting something within the camshaft? Sending video three now. I will send video two later.

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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 12:55 AM

DEFENDER4AVALON

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Video two, confirming the failed bank 1 CPM sensor. Meanwhile in the previous video three uploaded. The sensor broken wire was fixed. Check this one out.

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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 2:28 AM

KEN L

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How is the oil pressure do you have a light on? Does the sound seem like it is coming from the front of the engine?

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Thursday, August 9th, 2018 AT 9:44 AM

DEFENDER4AVALON

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Accordingly the oil pressure is good, no dashboard oil light on. Yea the sound seems so. "Coming from the front".

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Friday, August 10th, 2018 AT 4:50 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Yes, it is time to take the front back apart. It sounds like the timing belt is too tight. Here is a guide that will help and diagrams below to help get the job done. Check the idler pulleys as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/toyota/avalon/2002

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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