Toyota Corolla 2002: Noise when car is started, in drive, and in reverse

have any ideas? I'm at a loss! Thanks for your help!

Several things can cause grumbling noises.

Check your coolant level in the radiator and in the overflow reservoir.

Check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir.

Check the oil level and color in your transmission.

All of the fluid levels are fine in the car. The noise is coming from the engine but more so on the passenger side of the car. It doesn't seem to be anything serious but I would like to fix the problem to have a quiet car again. Thanks!

How many miles are on the car?

Have the timing belt checked. It may be getting loose.

Ok thanks! I'll keep it posted on here!

You're welcome! The timing belt should be changed at 60,000 miles any way.

I thought that version of Corolla had a timing chain, not a belt?

It sure does! To the original poster, forget the timing belt advice from me.

Next steps:

Does the car make noise when moving or when sitting still? How about in drive or reverse and sitting still? Does the noise change with engine speed or with vehicle speed?

Can you hear the noise with the hood open? If so, from where? Behind the timing cover?

The car makes noise mostly when still...in drive, idle, and reverse the most but not when in netural. Once I get driving down the road it still makes the noise for a while and quiets down after the car gets warmer but is still making the noise. It sounds like a grumbling noise when sitting in the car but when I have the hood open it sounds like a vibration. When I go faster, vehicle speed, the noise is hardly there at all. With the engine speed, just sitting still, the sounds fades away a little bit as well. The noise seems to be coming from the belt/alternator area but I can't seem to pin point it.

I'm not 100% sure, but it's a possibility...

Have someone listen from outside the car especially when you have it in reverse or when idling. If it sounds like a metallic rattle, the problem is a loose heat shield. I had similar symptoms with my Honda Accord not too long ago. The rattle did sound like a grumbling sound from inside.

Some late model Corollas had drivetrain noises that concerned some people. The best way to tell if that is the noise is to take it to a dealership and have someone there listen to it.

If the noise is coming from under the timing cover then a loose timing chain tensioner is a possibility.

if for me as well. He said it doesn't seem to be the alternator, that some of my belts might need to be tightened up. But the weird part is that the noise quiets down after the car is warmed up. Makes me think it is something to do with the make of the car. I was also reading a lot of online posts that a number of other Toyota Corollas were having the same problem. The same as I described before and the vibration of the steering wheel when driving along, I thought it was normal but seems to be something with the make like I said before. Do you know of any of this? Either way I will be bringing it into the dealership on Monday. I'll let you know what they say...maybe we will be surprised! Thanks again!

Well I tried to write a post up but for some reason it didn't take! I'm still new to this whole thing. I had my boyfriend listen to the car since I couldn't get my car to the dealership yet. He said he doesn't think it has anything to do with the alternator, that it could possibly be the timing chain or just that my belts need to be tightened up. I was reading a lot of online posts from other Toyota Corolla owners talking about the same thing I was. I never said it before but I also get the vibration of the steering wheel when driving, I thought it had something to do with the make and I still believe it is. The vibration in the engine might be something to do with the make as well. They were all talking about the same thing but couldn't find anything wrong with the car. Have you heard of any of this before?!? I am taking my car into the shop on Monday and they are going to take a listen for me. I'm still under warranty, thank goodness I got the extended! So if it is a problem of theirs they can fix it! I'll let you know what they say...maybe we'll all be surprised! Thanks again!

Just a quick thought...Could it possibly be a loose engine mount?

That's where my brain was headed after reading your symptoms. Perhaps it lessons the noise/vibration when the metal beomes hot and expands, and is worse when the metal is cold and contracted?

"Drivetrain" was an incorrect choice of words on my part. I meant valvetrain.

I doubt if it an engine mount problem could cause the noises you're describing.