Hi, I got a Lexus GS300 -05 and sometimes (not always) the timing chain rattles on cold start. I've read on the internet that it is normal and nothing to worry about. Is that correct?

Thanks in advance!

 

Years ago lexus USA offered a recall for this exact same issue. They redesigned the vvti, and installed them for free. If youre the original owner or if you purchased the vehicle used, go to your local dealer, and ask the service guy to pull up a service history for your car. If its had the vvti replaced great. If it didnt, see how much they would charge to replace and if Lexus can help you with the bill. If an insane amount of money, you can purchase the vvti gear oem/new on ebay pretty cheap and have an independent mechanic replace it.

 

I live in Sweden and as far as I know, there hasn't been a recall here unfortunately.

If I continue to drive as it is, will I harm the engine or will it be fine? The reason I'm asking is because Lexus will probably want a lot of money to replace it. I'll look into the part on eBay and check how much an independent mechanic charge to replace it.

 

Its the cam gear. My car did it sporadically from 94-172k miles when it got totaled, I never bothered to pay to have it fixed, car was just, just annoying

 

Okay, so you didnt get any other problems becuase of the sound/rattle?

 

Check with the dealer and its service history, you can also at the same time visit the parts department to verify what superseded part number you need. To make sure the part you are buying is the updated version. If the part at the dealer is expensive, you can just search that part number on ebay and hopefully you will find the part that you need at a lower price. You will also need 2 valve cover gaskets, and if you havent replaced your sparkplugs this is a good time to do so.

You can also try to see if your local toyota dealer will work on your lexus, many times there hourly rate is less. I dont think the vvti gear will break off, you may just not see good performance from the engine as the vvti. So the variable part of the engine adjusting the cams will be different. Also replacing the oil may help make it quieter

 

Looking on ebay there pretty priced reasonable at less then $100 each, and if it bothers you get it done.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-LEX...MAAOSwQsZdUcY-

 

Not sure if this will work in sweden, but if you make an account on drivers.lexus.com and input your VIN, you can get all the service records from any Lexus/Toyota dealership (they all report to the same servers).

 

I tried to register (from Finland): drivers.lexus.com requires a valid U.S. Lexus VIN...

BR.Sami

 

Thanks for the link. The thing is it doesn't bother me as it happens like 1 time in 10 starts. But I don't want the engine to get damaged because of it.

 

Yeah, will do! Thanks.

 

I did it on the Swedish site but no services history was documented according to the site.

 

If your oil is old, replace it and that should silence it a bit

 

Yeah, I'm planning on changing the oil and filter ASAP