stelars

I have a 2008 ES 350 with 52,000 miles that I bought as a Certified Used car with the full warranty from Lexus. I have complained about a rattling noise from the engine on acceleration (REAL loud when it is first driven in the morning!). The dealer and Lexus customer care have finally told me that it is a characteristic of this model and they have no fix for it. How can that be ??!! Anyone else having this trouble and if so, what have you heard?? I can't believe they can't fix this noise!!

Thanks!

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Well known issue on some Toyota 3.5L V6 non direct injection engines.
I had a '09 RX350 that had the problem on start ups in cold weather.Loud knocking/rattling noise till engine warmed up.The faster you drive,the louder the sound and tapping or whatever till engine warmed up to normal temp..Some say it's piston slap and somehow doesn't hurt the engine.
Dealer told me the same thing.It didn't start till around 23K miles on the '09 RX I had.I found it to be really annoying.Tried different oils and found RedLine helped a bit.It bothered me and I didn't keep the RX long after.
Youtube has some videos and do a search here and you'll find info.

mlacomb

Took mine in shortly after I bought it as well (08 ES 350, about 45k now). Claimed it's normal. Thing is - after my engine is warmed up, the sound on acceleration goes away - but at idle, it clanks around ever so slightly. Makes me almost hate idling it at all; definitely not the sound of perfection by a long shot.

Closing the windows and roof eliminate the noise to the interior for the most part (not the acceleration noise, that just sounds plain BAD.)

I have read elsewhere here on the forums that a change in cams etc is typically the applied fix, but even with the extended warranty it doesn't seem like the dealership wants to accommodate it.

check this thread out - includes a PDF to take to the dealer:

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

garsarno

Had a 2007 Ultra with same noise. Dealer said it was the norm back in 12/06 when new, blamed it on "noise from direct fuel injection". Never went away, even using Mobil 1 oil. Traded car in on 2011, no noise as yet. But, i remember using a RX350 as a loaner vehicle when the transmission was replaced at 1,000 miles. No noise from that vehicle. This forum is full of posts on the "lifter type noise".

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Many service advisors don't know much.Direct injection will have a some ticking or tapping.The V6's in the ES aren't direct injection.
The odd thing is that not all the non direct injection V6's have the problem.Why some and not others?

Tact

iTrader: (1)

I've owned many corvettes, and on particular LS engines I experienced piston slap, which the dealerships stated was "normal". I also experienced piston slap in earlier ford engines when I owned my F150 long ago. Later I switched to the F250. Now engine noise is normal.

Switching oil viscosity might help some, but it's not the cure.

May be a silly question, but what grade fuel are you using?

LexBob2

Te good news is that while annoying, there doesn't seem to be any long term reliability issues with the '07-'08 ES350's with noisy engines.

RickC5

FWIW, our '08 had the ticking noise when we first bought it last December. However, I haven't heard it since I dumped some fuel injector cleaner in the gas and switched to Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Maybe I'm just lucky?

garsarno

Mine was more noticeable as the temperature went down upon start up. Was not as noisy when the engine warmed up but noticeable enough that at church, a few people asked me about the engine ticking when I drove in.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

My wife's '08 had the ticking noise upon startup. We live in Southern Arizona where it's hot in the summer and never freezes in the winter. Because of the climate I use 10W30 Pennzoil Synthetic. After the first oil change, the ticking went away and has never returned.

Lou

stelars

Thanks for the responses. Lexus offeredme a $200 service coupon, which I turned down. I want this noise fixed! It's a Lexus and should sound quiet! Thanks again.

diagtime

is this noise louder before car is warmed up??? if so, it is normal. sorry but there is nothing wrong with your engine. this is carbon buildup on the skirt and below the rings of the piston. the term piston slap may sound bad, but it's not. why some engines and not others?? it has to do with trip longevity and how hard you drive it. drive it harder, less carbon. but either way there is no problem. unless it's just as loud when it's warmed up. then you have a problem. in that case it would be cam gears, probably caused by oil starvation. THAT'S ONLY IF IT'S JUST AS LOUD WHEN IT'S WARMED UP.

rx300mm

I was told it is related to ES350 having timing chain, makes rough soundng engine noise when it is cold.