I have a 2013 lexus gs350 f sport with 87k miles. It recently started making a weird rattling noise from engine on a cold start up. It makes the noise for about 1-2 min and goes away and car runs fine. Thinking it could be the starter? Anyone else have this problem?

 

Starter disengages once motor is running, sounds like perhaps you have a knocking valve, you should have it checked out

 

Going to look into it more after work today see if i can pin point the location of the noise. Heard these cars have had problems with the timing chain area so hopefully it has nothing to do with that.

 

Jgarc74 - Never heard that. Where are you hearing it?

 

You may want to look into VVTi cam gear rattle.

 

Water on your belt? I live in SF, every morning my car is soaked because of the fog and the noise goes away in a couple mins.

 

thats what it sounds like
sounds louder underneath the car

 

It sounds like it's likely the VVTi valve where the pin is unable to lock-in, which causes a rattling or clatter noise for a short period of time. The noise sounds like someone jerking a 3 foot long chainsaw chain out of an empty milk jug! This happens after the vehicle has been sitting for a while - like overnight. The VVTi controller assembly either needs replacing or the little oil screen is clogged and needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Below are some videos that should help you determine if the sound is indeed the VVTi controller, and to help you understand what is causing the rattling/clatter noise as well as what the VVTi valve looks like, and what it actually does.

 

Thanks bro! I appreciate you helping me out. Do you know how much it would cost to get that fixed?

 

Well first, does that sound like what your problem is? If so, I'd recommend taking it to your local Lexus dealer for the repair, or if it's out of warranty take it to an independent shop that works on Lexus vehicles. The fix may be replacing a tiny screen filter, or replacing the entire VVTi controller. It could be less than $100 or over $1,000 - hard to say...and it all depends on a lot of different variables.

 

Kinda sounds like its something electrical ima take it to a mechanic see what they can find on it.