2017 GS350 AWD engine clatter noise during cold morning startup
#16
Pole Position
Glad I have an insulated garage. It was -15 this morning and the temp. in the garage was 42. Have an elderly lady across the street from me that hoards and parks her 2 cars out year round because of useless crap in the garage. Never understood why people don't use their garages in extreme weather conditions.
#17
Intermediate
I recently bought a 2013 GS350. I also have a 2007 V6 Camry with the similar 2GR-FE and I was used to the way it sounded with it's slightly noisy sound which I thought was mainly due to the timing chain.
When I was shopping the GS350 and listened to the engine with hood open it sounded pretty much like the Camry V6 however a couple of times lately there was a little more clatter. I had seen mention of cold engine noise, however I've heard mine when it's not that cold and for longer than people mention here.
I'm in Phoenix so even though it's winter it's not that cold. I commute to work and going to lunch today, temps in low 60's, I drove a mile or so and parked in idle and it was slightly noisier than normal and was that way for several minutes.
I'm not sure what to make of this. Most of the comments here about cold weather starts are much colder than 60 degrees. The noise seemed to be most prominent from the side of the engine ( I was listening on the passenger side) near the valve cover. So is this just the direct injectors like some have said?
When I was shopping the GS350 and listened to the engine with hood open it sounded pretty much like the Camry V6 however a couple of times lately there was a little more clatter. I had seen mention of cold engine noise, however I've heard mine when it's not that cold and for longer than people mention here.
I'm in Phoenix so even though it's winter it's not that cold. I commute to work and going to lunch today, temps in low 60's, I drove a mile or so and parked in idle and it was slightly noisier than normal and was that way for several minutes.
I'm not sure what to make of this. Most of the comments here about cold weather starts are much colder than 60 degrees. The noise seemed to be most prominent from the side of the engine ( I was listening on the passenger side) near the valve cover. So is this just the direct injectors like some have said?
#18
Lexus Test Driver
I recently bought a 2013 GS350. I also have a 2007 V6 Camry with the similar 2GR-FE and I was used to the way it sounded with it's slightly noisy sound which I thought was mainly due to the timing chain.
When I was shopping the GS350 and listened to the engine with hood open it sounded pretty much like the Camry V6 however a couple of times lately there was a little more clatter. I had seen mention of cold engine noise, however I've heard mine when it's not that cold and for longer than people mention here.
I'm in Phoenix so even though it's winter it's not that cold. I commute to work and going to lunch today, temps in low 60's, I drove a mile or so and parked in idle and it was slightly noisier than normal and was that way for several minutes.
I'm not sure what to make of this. Most of the comments here about cold weather starts are much colder than 60 degrees. The noise seemed to be most prominent from the side of the engine ( I was listening on the passenger side) near the valve cover. So is this just the direct injectors like some have said?
When I was shopping the GS350 and listened to the engine with hood open it sounded pretty much like the Camry V6 however a couple of times lately there was a little more clatter. I had seen mention of cold engine noise, however I've heard mine when it's not that cold and for longer than people mention here.
I'm in Phoenix so even though it's winter it's not that cold. I commute to work and going to lunch today, temps in low 60's, I drove a mile or so and parked in idle and it was slightly noisier than normal and was that way for several minutes.
I'm not sure what to make of this. Most of the comments here about cold weather starts are much colder than 60 degrees. The noise seemed to be most prominent from the side of the engine ( I was listening on the passenger side) near the valve cover. So is this just the direct injectors like some have said?
#19
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
High Pressure Fuel Pump covers with foam insulation:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...reduction.html
Those who have installed is report slight decrease in sound, but say it's worth it for the low cost.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...reduction.html
Those who have installed is report slight decrease in sound, but say it's worth it for the low cost.
#20
Intermediate
The clatter noise you are hearing is almost certainly the direct fuel injection system firing, which is a little louder upon cold start versus what it sounds like when warm. This noise is common to all direct fuel injection systems and not just associated with the GS 350 or Lexus vehicles. The noise is not heard when inside the car with the windows up. Some car makers install baffles over the injectors to help quieten the clatter noise a bit.
Oh, I just remembered another noise I heard this morning when the engine was cold. I just started noticing a whine that is not unlike a cold power steering pump or one low on fluid, however since I don't have hydraulic steering not sure what it is.
High Pressure Fuel Pump covers with foam insulation:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...reduction.html
Those who have installed is report slight decrease in sound, but say it's worth it for the low cost.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...reduction.html
Those who have installed is report slight decrease in sound, but say it's worth it for the low cost.
#21
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Thanks. So it does get slightly quieter as the engine warms up? Would it still be noisy after only cooling down for 4 hours after a 20 mile drive to work?
Oh, I just remembered another noise I heard this morning when the engine was cold. I just started noticing a whine that is not unlike a cold power steering pump or one low on fluid, however since I don't have hydraulic steering not sure what it is.
I just saw this mentioned in another thread. So these were not put on the 2013 models?
Oh, I just remembered another noise I heard this morning when the engine was cold. I just started noticing a whine that is not unlike a cold power steering pump or one low on fluid, however since I don't have hydraulic steering not sure what it is.
I just saw this mentioned in another thread. So these were not put on the 2013 models?
#22
Lexus Test Driver
#23
Pit Crew
For fellow Lexus owners who live in the snow belt states, does your GS make a engine clatter noise during cold morning startup? This noise is only present after the car has been sit for 5 hours or more. It goes away after 1 minute of driving, and subsequent warm startups does not produce this noise. My GS only has 2800 miles on it and I've made an appointment with the dealer this weekend for diagnosis. Chances are they will claim that they couldn't reproduce the noise because (obviously) I had to drive to the dealer.
#24
Rookie
Thread Starter
This will be the second winter with my GS and I've learned to live with it. Looks like it's just the characteristic of the 4th gen GS. It's not that bad in the morning when I start it from my garage, but after sitting outside for 8 hours at work it'll clatter for a solid 4 minutes with 1,500 idle RPM. It'll then suddenly drop to ~900 rpm and everything goes quiet. That's when I start to drive.
#25
This will be the second winter with my GS and I've learned to live with it. Looks like it's just the characteristic of the 4th gen GS. It's not that bad in the morning when I start it from my garage, but after sitting outside for 8 hours at work it'll clatter for a solid 4 minutes with 1,500 idle RPM. It'll then suddenly drop to ~900 rpm and everything goes quiet. That's when I start to drive.
#27
Rookie
Thread Starter
I've learned to live with it. Based on all the feedback this is normal for the 2GR engine. 2.5 years into ownership, the car is a pleasure to drive, no complaints.
#28
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
That chatter means you engine is operating normally. There is a cover for the high pressure fuel pump I made a thread for this, search the forums, that helped with the noise. Several members tried it with a noticeable difference. I think the part was less than $35.
The following users liked this post:
sbowden99 (12-22-22)