Coulter

My Es300 has a slight "tractor" sound from when I take off at a stop light, it's only around 1,500 rpm. It sounds like a coffee can with rocks in it, only it's not really loud, but definitely there.

I'm nearly positive it's not suspension as it goes away the second I take my foot off the gas. It's also there regardless of the AC being on.

My first thought was detonation, but no codes are being thrown and it has no other drivability issues. The top, dogbone engine mount is relatively new. After about 1,500 rpm, the sound is gone.

Any ideas? Thanks

EEngineer

your flex pipe after the Y-pipe merge is probably leaking due to a perforation. it's a common issue.
the tractor sound comes from when ur engine is under load. when you are cruising the rpm is low and sound is gone. go to an exhaust shop and have them replace the flex pipe. should be a $100~150 fix

Power6

^^I don't have the experience to know about the above with this car so I'd check that out too. It could still be knock or detonation though, pretty common with lower octane gas, you get a little under some load at lower RPMs like taking off from a stop as you say.

The knock is not enough to cause any driveability issue or set any codes, so those observations have not ruled it out. My ES sounds exactly like what you describe when I run 87 octane gas, and I have been around long enough to know what light knock sounds like. If I use 93 it goes away. You could step up the octane for a tank and see for yourself.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I'm gonna agree with EE. My first guess was loose exhaust parts.

EEngineer

I've never used 87 for my car, been running 94 since i got it.
if you are knocks like that every time u take off from the stop, u wouldave blown your engine already.

Power6

^^Sorry that is just not true under a light load a little knock like that on take-off won't blow an engine. Aren't you an engineer? You should already know that. We aren't talking about WOT full boost turbocharged knock here ;-) This sort of thing was common with older cars, especially vacuum advance distys. My 86 Plymouth Horizon even mentioned it in the owners manual. Apparently our ES300 has this trait too, it does not surprise me as a circa 97 knock control/feedback system is rudimentary compared to the latest technology. They say carbon build up on your pistons over time might introduce this problem.

Seriously try some 87 octane, you won't miss the 5.6 hp ;-) I have to admit I went back to 93 just because I don't like the sound.

I don't on the other hand know what that exhaust leak sounds like so I can't say if that is what the OP describes. Coffee can with rocks is the classic light knock sound. If it sounds like popcorn at WOT, well then you might blow your motor.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I run 87 on my car and have never heard a knocking sound. Just my 2 cents.

1987

sounds like an exhaust heat shield or something else loose under the car...a quick visual inspection should solve it

yeskay

+1 always 87 octane as per oem. hope some 300k+ miles owners chime in their experience

Power6

Sounds like I am the only one with a lil knock LOL unless the OP comes back to confirm or deny. Maybe I got some carbon build up on my pistons, or I got some below par 87 octane. I'll try another brand before I give up on it, this car is not powerful enough to warrant high octane ha.

I think I hear the other "tractor" sound too, I assumed it was just how the car sounds but it could be the flex section going. I'll keep an eye on that.