My car is a 2005 IS-250 US SPEC, purchase in DEC 2005.
The car have 23000 KM on it about 12000 Miles.

About 2 days ago, when I start my car in the morning, I hear this electric serge noise from the engine, the noise is gone about a sec or two. This noise on comes up, when the engine is COLD.

I took it to the local dealer and found out that I have a BAD VVTi pump, they will replace it under warranty. The engine needs to be remove to replace this pump. I talked to the tec. today when I stop by the dealer today, and found out this is a common problem for early IS2's.
Anyone in US/ Canada have the same problem?

I will try to get more information, next week when I pick up my car back from the dealer.

 

I didn't think VVTi had a pump at all. I thought it operated off of the engine's oil pump via solenoids. I'm also hesitant to believe that the whole engine would need to be pulled out to fix it...

 

I have a a whining noise when the engine is cold. It' disappears after a few minutes, but once it's cold it comes back again. Don't know if this is the same thing?