Four problems related to engine clicking and tapping noises have been reported for the 1999 Toyota Camry. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
As I was driving to work, at 7:30 am on Thursday April 22, 2004, I noticed a clicking sound coming from under my auto's hood. The auto was a 1999 Toyota Camry, with about 90,100 miles on it. The clicking noise reminded me of a spinning roulette wheel. After a few minutes, the noise increased in intensity. At that point, I decided that I needed to go to a repair facility to have it examined. As I was doing that, there was a loud, explosion-like noise and the engine started smoking very heavily. I pulled off the road, at which point, I gathered up some important items from my car, and exited the vehicle. By this time, there were flames coming out from under the hood. I called 911 and advised the dispatcher of my circumstances and location. The connecticut state police arrived within three minutes of my call. They tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but were unable to do so. By the time the fire department arrived, 10 minutes later, the engine compartment was completely engulfed in flames and smoke. They were able to quickly extinguish the fire, but by that time, the car was ruined. A few minutes later, a tow truk removed the vehicle to a nearby garage. I called my insurance company and filed a claim. They have since declared the vehicle a total loss and are in the process of remitting my settlement.
While driving at highway speeds, a clicking noise was heard and then smoke started to come from under the hood. The vehicle lost power. The consumer viewed flames under the hood.
Consumer states that while she was driving heard a popping sound, then saw white smoke, soon after that she saw black smoke. She got out of car, and saw sparks coming from under the vehicle, then fire started coming from the engine (front of the auto) part. The fire department was called, and when the fire was put out, the fireman said that it might have been a mixture of oil getting on the hot motor which started the fire.
Engine makes loud clicking noise; dealership said it may be oil gel problem.