I noticed this too...especially after the car has been sitting for a while...i started noticing it around the winter months...

I get the EXACT same thing every week or so...same volume and everything. Seems like it does do it more when I'm on a slight incline, but haven't narrrowed it down to just that. There needs to be a recall for it.

I am having mine fixed this week. As we all know, it can come back even after the fix, so I am just crossing my fingers.

Terrance

Same problem for me, took it to the dealer and get "cannot reproduce" story.

Thanks Lance. Do you have any feelings about whether delaying this repair might cause damage to other things? I would much rather delay the repair than have to get it fixed again next year. I'm really **** about letting other people work on my cars, so I don't want to do it twice if I don't have to.

Man, tell me I don't have to take my car to the dealer AGAIN! I haven't heard this noise but my wife does drive the car to work more then I do. So what specifically do they fix for this noise or how much taking apart do they do? Is it worth fixing if the noise might eventually come back?

Where can I find a list of the recalls for the IS. Is there a website or are people just asking the dealer?

^^^ Don't even consider getting anything like this fixed if you don't even know it needs to be fixed. If you haven't heard something like broken ball bearings being futher shredded in you engine upon startup, then quit worrying about it.

It is far more "safe" to keep the number of recalls and repairs to the absolute minimum. Please don't be one of those silly fools that takes their car in to the dealer to get every TSIB "thing" done every time they hear another TSIB was published.

I wish I had some basis to say anything about it. I believe there is no consequential damage related to this noise (and I've been told as much). But I also know if I want/need to sell this car, I'll be mighty unhappy if it makes this noise starting up for a test drive. So, I decided to get it fixed (still thinking the IS-F or C63 AMG could be in my near future) knowing that it may continue to be problematic. I'll be madder than a wet hen if it doesn't do it all summer then starts doing it again with the first cold snap of winter. Keep in mind, you definitely want to make sure you get it done before your powertrain warranty runs out.

Wow I didn't realize this was such a common problem. My IS350 has been making that sound since day one, over two years ago. It is really embarrassing when I'm at car meets or picking up a girly. It makes that bad *** lexus sound like broken junk. I think they should just replace my 3.5 with a 5.0...

It's a bit comforting to hear this happens to other ISs too. I get this once a month -- I think it sounds like the radiator fan is hitting something for a couple seconds...

That's a good way to describe the sound, but electric radiator fans are never going to start running as soon as you start the engine.

I think the best description of the sound was given in a prior thread. (At least what it sounds like with the window open) It sounds like a metal chain being pulled out of a plastic milk jug very fast.