2001 Solara Convertible SLE V6 annoying idle?

[jzwu]

Hello,

I just bought a 2001 Solara Convertible SLE V6 with 96k miles. The car runs and shifts very smoothly.

Only one annoying thing, when it stops at a light/stop sign in Drive, the car idles with a booming sound and the front seats shake a little. You can feel it from the seatback. As soon as I start to drive all is fine.

Anyone knows why? Is it the mileage? 96k is not exactly high for a Toyota. I just changed timing belt, water pump and drive belts at a dealer.

Today I checked carefully under the hood and found a little oil leak around the valve cover, possibly due to a leaky gasket but it should not be a big deal. So far, after 500 miles since I got the car engine oil is still at its original level.

Thanks!

[Gangis]

I had the same leaky gasket problem when I bought my '02. It was the first thing that led me to discover that I had sludge. You'll want the gasket replaced, definitely... And when it is, you can ask them to look for sludge at the same time.

[bassthrive]

I get a little of that booming sound (sounds like a low bass note). It only happens when in drive with brakes fully applied, like at a stop light. It is more noticable with the air conditioning on. I do not get vibrations like you describe.

I blame my aftermarket intake/exhaust for the sound. Though the level and the color is good, I am due for a transmission fluid change. Maybe the sound is coming from the torque converter???

[jzwu]

I feel the sound is more like from the muffler or exhaust system....but I don't know for sure.