OceanView

Looks like I'm gonna get a 2000 ES300 Platinum Edition in pretty good condition but I did notice some excess noise from the engine. It sounds like the valves are tapping but I'm not sure if this normal for the VVTi engine or not. I'm use to the noise from my non VVT engine which is similar but not as loud.
Its the noise that sounds kinda like a sewing machine if you know what I mean.

ES300NZ

stuffed vvti oil valve(s) ?

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ol-valves.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...need-help.html

OceanView

I don't think it's OCV as it looks like it was replaced about 8,000 miles ago.
Here is the notation from the Lexus Service History

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT * CUST STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON/TRACTION CONTROL ICON ON. OCCURS ON START UP AND WHEN DRIVING. ICON OFF AFTER FEW MINU TES. WHEN ICONS ILLUMINATE, LOSS OF POWER/CAR DECELERATING AND A SHUTTER/SHIMMY IS FELT THROUGH
0444201 STEERING WHEEL. CHECK AND ADVISE. * VERIFIED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, FOUND CODE P1354 FOR VVT SYSTEM. STUCK ON/OR OFF, VVT1 ACTUATOR. * REPLACED OIL CONTROL VALVE, CAM SENSOR VVT CAM ACTUATOR. CODE CLEAR. OKAY AT THIS TIME. NOTE * TECH NOTED TAPPING NOISE FROM LOWER SECTION OF ENGINE AREA.

Note sure if this tapping noise is the same as the ticking noise I'm hearing or if this normal for a VVTi engine. I don't notice anything from the lower section of the engine at all so it may not be related.

lostape45

That is normal engine noise to my knowledge. Toyota engines are known to have valve "ticking" engines. I thought my car was loud when I first got it too, but I don't notice as much anymore.

Interesting story, I was at the Lexus dealer looking an a newer ES for my mom to buy, a brand new RC350 pulled up next to me and you wouldn't believe the sound I heard from its engine. Literally the exact same valve ticking noise that my engine makes. After I heard that, I was convinced that's just how Toyota engines run.

Obviously not a scientific diagnosis, but I'm sure you have nothing to worry about unless the car is misfiring, but you would be able to tell if it was.

OceanView

Thanks Lostape, that's reassuring and I will be able to sleep tonight.
I was sweating for awhile thinking that I bought a grenade and feared my future expense.

My new 2000 ES is silver too. I guess its called Millenium Silver?

lostape45

No worries, it bothered me too. And yes when I bought some touch up paint, it was paint code "1CO" with description "Millenium Silver"

ES300NZ

probably .. injector tick ?

lostape45

ES300NZ, yes that's what I meant, I have no idea why I said valve ticking