mandyfig

2006 IS350 68,000 miles

Purchasing 2006 IS350 68,000 miles today but concerned on:

Twice it started (but with a few starts OK) with a bit of a crackling sound, more of a knock, in about 1-2 seconds and it goes away. Will send to my mechanic today for consult.

Anybody familiar with this issue? What could this be?

Otherwise the car is in good shape.

Your quick help is very much appreciated!

Mandy

PS: The car is for my daughter. I want one for myself...!!

ThreeFive0

iTrader: (6)

I havent heard of any knocks happening at that mileage, but the engines tick pretty loud. Its normal.

mandyfig

Just went to my mechanic and describing what's happening it is probably the starter. Sometime later, the starter will probably act up, that's a $600 repair. I will have to consider this when the purchase goes through. And yes they do tick a ton!

NYKnick101

I have an 06 and i heard that noise quite a few times when I would start the car so I think know what your talking about. I could have sworn it was the starter so I put it on the lift but couldn't hear any noise under the car or around it. It was the dashboard or something under it because when the levers go all the way back and forth i heard it. I heard it even when it didn't start all the way. Car kept on starting and driving fine though

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

Does this only happen at cold start? If you do a search there's a recall on the rough start. Its actually the cam rattle. When the car is cold or has sat long enough, the oil drains out so the cam rattles on startup, after a few seconds there's oil and it no longer rattles. It doesn't do any damage to your car but it just sounds bad.

I would still use this as leverage when buying the car though

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

All, it is called the notorious "cam rattle". You can search this phrase online here and find threads about this. Basically the weights within the cam gear become un-lubricated while sitting idle for hours (especially in the hot sun) and upon cranking over it will "rattle" or "grind" for a second. The best advice I'd have is to switch to a full synthetic motor oil (Mobil 1) as the oil with protect the metal better and will tend to "stick" to the metal long/better than conventional. On my '06 350 I've heard the cam rattle about 10 times during it's life with me (owned since 31k miles, now at 68k). Now, the dealership says they have a "fix", but that is to replace the cam gears themselves. BUT, I've read online about others that have had this "fix" done and later on started experiencing the same thing all over again.

As of right now, I've not read about a cam rattle leading to motor failure or cam gear failure.

Enjoy the 350 and indeed get yourself one too! You won't regret it!

mandyfig

Thanks a lot for this information. Helps me.

mandyfig

Great valuable information, thank you.

mandyfig

See it paid to get with the experts! Thanks a lot ya'll! And yes I almost bought a Red Matador Mica, not kidding. I do not have a garage to keep it in. But I love how the 350's HP. I will be chastised if my buddies at the SC Forum reads this...I like the IS than the SC (only in HP pull-push)...LOL.

Thanks again guys and if the sale goes through, I will be in this great forum as well.

Mandy

mandyfig

Or maybe own a 350 soon...

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

cam gears.....they have a TSIB for that...did you check the history to see if they had it done?

the ticking noise is from the injector....you'll get used to it...LOL

mandyfig

The only 2 showing open on the Lexus Owner's website are the Wiper nut and Trunk Latch issue. I assume the recalls were completed on this IS350. I am reviewing the service history and some TSIB numbers are spelled out. Glad to know that the cam gear issue is the source of the noise and not a potential starter replacement issue.

Annoying but acceptable noise if nothing will result in a non-start situation. Again we do not the princess to raise all kinds of rant...LOL.