Hissing/leaking sound when under load

[fishrod]

Ive started to notice a wierd, maybe hissy/"sounds like air or liquid leaking from a small hole somewhere" type sound coming from the engine, seems like its behind the Steering wheel.

It only happens when the car is under load (ie accelerating when in gear). If i take it out of gear and and rev the engine, the sound is not there.

It happens in all gears from what I can tell, cant really hear it in 1st, maybe because the load is not enough to cause the sound.

I thought it might be coming from the gearbox but when I put my ear down near the gearstick it definetly sounds like its coming from in behind the steering wheel.

Again, if I put my head down to the left of the steering wheel and listen it sounds like its coming from over to the right somewhere, behind the steering wheel.

Maybe its a hole in the exhaust or something?

I just had the HG done, maybe thats effed up again?

Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[topdown4runner]

My first thought is a vacuum leak somewhere...do these use vacuum lines to operate the climate control doors...I know GM does, not sure on Toyota.
If so, they could sound like they are coming from under the dash somewhere.

Other than that, I am stumped. Sorry

 

[FirstGenRunner]

Does your speedo needle bounce at all?

Just thinking it's the speedo cable. You'd notice a weird sound and it'd be coming from that area. Only thing that would make this guess worthless is if you don't hear it as you are coasting. Assuming from your post that it's a MT. I wasn't clear on the definition of "under load".

 

[fishrod]

Not sure on the vacuum lines thing. Under load as in when accelerating. When the engine is in gear and speeding up. If its out of gear and im just revving the engine. No noise. Speedo looks fine too. Thanks for the suggestions though.

 

[Ben Tillotson]

I have this same issue. Did you ever find out what the problem was?

 

[KidVermicious]

It's a snake. Or a vacuum leak. But I'm guessing it's a snake.

 

[mikebontoft]

I can tell you its not a vacuum leak if its under load.

Likely an exhaust leak. the opening for the shifter will capture any noise from below and accentuate it.

 

[fishrod]

I have this same issue. Did you ever find out what the problem was?

Exhaust gasket or Exhaust manifold gasket or something. Cant remember the exact name. Basically theres a hole in a gasket just where the exhaust joins the engine. Its a few hours labour to fix, not overly worried just yet, exhaust emissions do come in the window when you stop and idle with the window down so its not ideal.

 

[KidVermicious]

I'm telling you, you have a snake in your dashboard.

 

[SV_Dude]

I'm telling you, you have a snake in your dashboard.

You sure you're not thinking of a rattle?

 

[GonOvr]

maybe pinging but more than likely an exhaust leak. Have your buddy power brake it alittle to load the engine and listen. Just dont get in front or under while doing this because i dont know your friend and he may not be very smart. you can use a piece of hose to your ear and sweep the engine while loaded. I used this method all the time when finding the bad cylinder on the old ford triton engines. Little plastic tube made me plenty of money.

 

[Capel]

..... Have your buddy power brake it alittle to load the engine and listen. Just dont get in front or under while doing this because i dont know your friend and he may not be very smart....

You'd best be asking your friend if any other people he's assisted have won Darwin Awards first too!!