Okay...a sticky one for you. My older Solara has always made that noisy belt growl when cold which usually disappeared once the motor was warm. Now I am noticing it even more. It sounds like I've fitted a 2" exhaust or the engine pipe has a small leak in it. That's impossible as the pipe is only a year old and I had it all checked after it was fitted.

My question is can the drive belt / tensioner cause a low and persistent growl if it is wonky?

Okay...a sticky one for you. My older Solara has always made that noisy belt growl when cold which usually disappeared once the motor was warm. Now I am noticing it even more. It sounds like I've fitted a 2" exhaust or the engine pipe has a small leak in it. That's impossible as the pipe is only a year old and I had it all checked after it was fitted.

My question is can the drive belt / tensioner cause a low and persistent growl if it is wonky?

Still worth checking the "impossible" though. Just run the engine, put your hand or rag over the exhaust pipe to block it off and listen for any leaks.
If it doesn't build up pressure, it has a leak.

Yes, the drive belt tensioners can make lots of noise if the bearings are worn/dry, or not seated correctly.

Could also be a knackered Y-pipe (if it wasn't the one you replaced or if you replaced it with a second hand one) if its more growly at low revs under load.

Still worth checking the "impossible" though. Just run the engine, put your hand or rag over the exhaust pipe to block it off and listen for any leaks.
If it doesn't build up pressure, it has a leak.

Yes, the drive belt tensioners can make lots of noise if the bearings are worn/dry, or not seated correctly.

Might be a silly question but... how do you tell if its building up pressure, you can feel pressure building on your hand? My TJ has growled like crazy hot or cold since i got it 8mths a go, ive just gotten used to it...

...you can feel pressure building on your hand?

Yep, that's it. Not sure how hot the exhaust pipe gets but probably best to err on the side of caution and do it with a cold engine.

I did a bit of investigating this evening. The noise does seem to be engine exhaust-related. I'm going to bite the bullet and take it along to a muffler specialist to suss out what is wrong because, at the moment, whenever the engine is under a bit of load it sounds like my first car- an old EH with a 2" exhaust and a rat-trap muffler! Yikes!

Problem solved. It was a leaking gasket under the heat shield near the engine. Total fix price...twenty bucks. Can't complain about that. ��

Problem solved. It was a leaking gasket under the heat shield near the engine. Total fix price...twenty bucks. Can't complain about that. ��

Nice one mate

Problem solved. It was a leaking gasket under the heat shield near the engine. Total fix price...twenty bucks. Can't complain about that. ��

Hey man, was this in Melbs? Im thinking I might have the same, or similar issue... the growls actually gotten worse in the last few days... I am due for an oil change and i know my air filter needs to be changef but aswell as more noisr, theres a noticeable drop in power...

Cheers mate

what is the gasket? possibly I have the same problem and getting worse