I'd bet they assemble it right - it really sounds like the exhaust cam is retarded a tooth - after the valve spring install. Anybody can make a mistake, and timing the cams on the 2GR and 4GR engines isn't what I'd call a simple process; at least not nearly as simple as it was when there were no variable sprockets.

To be fair and honest, I bought the F after the second time the cam sprocket failed and got repaired. Lexus has been through 5 different redesigns on that part and I"m pretty convinced it isn't something I wanted to keep long term. The F does not use OCV for the intake, only the exhaust, and it does not rattle at all.

 

It did not start running bad until the c actuators were replaced.I thought the situation might be rectified by doing the valve spring recall,but it was already done in 11/09.I guess I am stuck with a bad running IS350. What really gets me PO is that I did not even request to have the c actuator's replaced,dealer just did it when I brought car in for a different issue with instrument cluster .

 

take it up with lexus corporate. Ask that the dealer that did it fix it, and you want a senior tech to work on it, not the 25 year old that messed up the first time.

 

Is this the fix for the issue that does the short purr when you start it every very rarely?

 

yes

not sure if the 250's have it or just 350's

 

The purr noise if coming from instrument cluster area at start sequence could be steering wheel lock mechanism,that's what service manager said.The purr noise is what my original complaint was and when they were checking that they went ahead and did cam actuator tsb and now car runs terrible.To my knowledge the cam actuators are done if engine has knocking or grinding noise at start up.

 

oh, didn't know about that noise (thought purr was a little strange for a descriptive of the cam problem but anyhoo). My car is not doing that thankfully.

 

The start up noise is anything BUT a purring sound. It's loud, obnoxious, and embarrassing when it happens right in front of your father in law who is a big Mercedes fan.

 

Since dealer did cam actuator service I'm getting the knocking every 1 in 30 start-up's ,usually in morning and yes it's loud and obnoxious.