phatboyc

My car is in the shop right now getting the 3 recalls done and this engine crank noise at startup. To add to the "got to hear it to fix it policy". The work order only said "engine noise". Now how do a tech is supposed to know what to look for? My hopes of them actually fixing it are very low.

mart99

so the service manager finally admits that it's a problem and he sent out all the info to Lexus of America. Now all I need is for them to approve that it's covered under warranty and that Lexus of America will pay the bill. It's been two days and heard nothing yet. Maybe I'll give them till the end of the week.

chwang1973

According to the local Lexus service dept., it was Cam Gear issues.

Lexus fixed my 20 months ago (20K miles), but the noise came back again recently.


If the Lexus doubt the noise issues, recorded on the video and show them.

Good Luck everyone

ba-b4

I have this noise too but I don't want them tearing out my engine to fix something they're not 100% of only to have it come back later. Not sure but I think once they pull out your engine I don't think you're car will ever be the same again. I just wish they would come up with a permanent guarantee'd fix for this noise!

phatboyc

Guys they're on their fifth version of the fix. The latest dated October 30, 2008 TSIB number is L-SB-0156-08.

So far the ones that got this latest fix haven't heard the cam gear noise since.

chwang1973

Nice info.

Technique

5th version of the fix? That tells me that they will probably never permanently fix this problem

Honestly, I am 90% not going to buy my car out at the end of the lease in December...

bronz

i have an 08 is350 and mines started around 11k miles , so if i bring it to lexus will they even do the tsb even if its not making the sound or not. im kinda worried about that sound sounds like its damaging the engine.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

mine happens once in a bluemoon...cold start.

hope they will fix mine when I bring it in....

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

That's part of why I bought the F. No more cam gear issues. It uses an electric drive for the intakes, so only the exhausts could make a noise.

Technique

Is it just a "noise"? Meaning, is there any danger in not fixing it?

xkylar

I recently got my 15K maintenance done and the Lexus service manager actually asked me if I've heard an engine crank noise. I told him yes but not all the time. He said that there is a fix for it. They did replace it (sprocket as I was told) under warranty and so far so good.

mart99

The service rep gives me a call finally after one week and tells me they won't fix the problem unless they are 100% sure that the noise is consistent even though they heard it once and they know I have video regarding this issue. They still blame it on the weather. They want me to bring the car back in again so they can reproduce noise again. So frustrating.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Hard to say. I don't know how much metal is being scraped off and ending up in the oil to be sure there's no long term effect. For a lease, I'd say turn it in and call it a day. I have little confidence this problem will be resolved with TSIB redesigns since they're on iteration number 5 right now and I had the problem twice myself. If you planned on keeping the car for 10 years or more, I'd say it's a problem to fix. If not, probably not worth fixing. That is unless your Mercedes driving father-in-law hears your car rattling on start up and asks you why you bought that expensive Camry.

zak21

08 IS350 with 8000 miles. Yesterday the wife and I went to run some errands and over the course of the afternoon we started the car 4 times after letting it sit for 30 to 45 min and each time it made the infamous clank rattle.

Its is very concerning to hear such a sound coming from your new lexus!

Dropped it off at the dealer this morning so hopefully I will have some good news later.

Just thought I would add to the list.

Also is it just me or is Toyota/Lexus keeping people in the dark on what is actual cause of these issues? I just had the front diff replaced on our 08 Tundra because of a noise is 2wd and there is a TSB but nobody can explain what failed and why... seems the same on this TSB.
I know I would sleep better if someone could say here is the part that was manufactured/engineered wrong and here is what we did to fix it.

Sorry just had to vent