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Clicking sound from the transmission/engine when cold?

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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 07:13 AM
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Default Clicking sound from the transmission/engine when cold?

I purchased a 2007 ES350 with only 25,000 miles!

We have a clicking sound which we hear when we start in the morning and put into drive. It will eventually go away after it warms.

The dealer claimed it was Valve Train Noise which sounds like a bull**** diagnosis. He claims it is "common" and they will not fix it.

Anyone ever hear of a problem like this? I am concerned it will get worse and eventually cause a problem, besides the fact that it is a DAMN LEXUS and should not be making sounds in the first place!
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by johncoby
I purchased a 2007 ES350 with only 25,000 miles!

We have a clicking sound which we hear when we start in the morning and put into drive. It will eventually go away after it warms.

The dealer claimed it was Valve Train Noise which sounds like a bull**** diagnosis. He claims it is "common" and they will not fix it.

Anyone ever hear of a problem like this? I am concerned it will get worse and eventually cause a problem, besides the fact that it is a DAMN LEXUS and should not be making sounds in the first place!
Sounds like the cold engine noise that's been reported on the early ES350's. Do a Search here and you'll find a lot of reading/information on the subject. It seems like there is no long term reliability issues with it. It's just annoying to those that have it. it probably is valve train related.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 09:12 AM
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take a look at this. they did my 2007 under warrenty.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
engine tidisplayTSBHandler7.pdf (147.1 KB, 1114 views)
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 10:26 AM
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I've had my 2007 since new in November 2006. It has always had the ticking sounding upon cold start up. It goes away after a while. My car now has 51,000 miles and I have had no issues with it at all. Don't worry about it. You'll eventually not notice it
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 10:34 AM
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My 2007 had the "lifter" type noise since day one back in 10/2006. The RX350 I had as a loaner back in 1/2007 while my transmission was being replaced did not have the same noise nor does my 2011 ES350 have it. Plenty of reading about it in these forums. Was mostly a point of discussion at church when we would pull up. Two friends bought BMW 5 series cars back then after they heard the noise.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by nevernu
take a look at this. they did my 2007 under warrenty.
WOW! Very cool. I will bring this up to them.
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Old Mar 29, 2012 | 03:51 PM
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See my post in this thread:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...when-cold.html

Originally Posted by lowrideraz
There have been other posts about this issue. And, as depicted here, folks describe it as normal. My wife's 2008 ES had the same issue. On the first oil change I switched to Pennzoil Platinum 10W/30 synthetic. Since I live in Arizona, I have used a 10W/30 in all my vehicles. Anyway, the cold ticking went away with the first oil change and has not returned.

Lou
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 01:46 PM
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I would love to get mine fixed; my dealership told me the noise is "normal" too. I may have to go in armed with this TSB, but it's good that it doesn't seem to be causing any damage.

However - anything making that kind of noise has to be doing something, however minimal.
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 04:46 PM
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I would park my 2007 next to a 2012 on the dealer's lot, start both cars and ask why the 2012 does not make the same noise if it is"normal".
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Old Apr 6, 2012 | 04:41 PM
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Default Es350 ticking noise

My 2008 ES350 has the same ticking noise from the engine, especially louder when the gas pedal is depressed. A Lexus specialist at Maplewood MN said it is normal and would be gone when the engine is warmed up. The ticking noise is still audible after 15 minutes driving. Lexus doesn't want to admit its design flaws. No such a noise could be detected when the vehicle is new.

BMW fixed the clicking noise (HVAVC) on my '08 BMW 328Xi.

I would probably let go of the Lexus. It is worth paying a little more for a way better service at BMW (Bloomington Motorwerks, MN).

Please share if you have any ideas to deal with Lexus' inferior quality.

Thanks,
lmn
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Old Apr 6, 2012 | 05:45 PM
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As I previously posted, trade the car in for a new one as that noise is gone (if you really like the ES350 that much).
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Old Apr 6, 2012 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by garsarno
As I previously posted, trade the car in for a new one as that noise is gone (if you really like the ES350 that much).
Good advice.

And if you don't like the car that much move on to something else. Life is too short to be that disatisfied.
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