I started it up. Noticed it was shaking and I could hear a loud noise like a machine gun. I turned it off immediately.

Checked a few things, has oil, no smell, etc. Timing belt was changed less than 6 months ago.

Tried to start it again but it didn't want to turn on. (warning lights etc turn on, it has power)

I don't want to try it again in case it is something serious. From what I've been reading it's probably a power issue? If it is why does it sound like a machine gun?

 

I was taking a video the second time I started it. I've never had a car knock or had starting issues, so I'm really lost with this. Does it sound like a starting problem or would a car that has a knock act like this?

 

If the car is cold, check your radiator cap to see the condition of the coolant.

 

When you had the timing belt done did they replace the water pump and pully's how many miles on this car?

 

I don't think it looks right. I took a picture.




The open top thing was empty? I couldn't see anything in there.




Yes, the job was done in October, 10k miles ago at 157k. Currently at 167k miles.

They replaced a lot of parts. The bill was 1.4k.

Timing belt and tensioner with pulley kit, water pump.
new radiator assembly
thermostat and o-ring
hose clamps
upper radiator hose
lower radiator hose
serpentine drive belt

Included a 12 month 12k mile parts and labor warranty.


A compression test was apparently done before it was purchased, the beginning of October 2012.

 

Kinda sounds like the starter is going out on you. but the shaking part i'm not sure what that could be coming from?

 

maybe the timing belt slipped a tooth or two.have it towed to who ever did your t/b

 

I really hope so but isn't the coolant the wrong color? Shouldn't it be green. Looks like oil is in there and it looks low.

That's the first thing I thought when I heard the machine gun type knocking. The sound that it gave when trying to start it the second time made me think it was an issue with the timing belt.

I changed the video above so it's embedded but if you missed it



The knocking noise sounded the same as this video at 0:20 seconds.

 

Coolant looks fine...if it looked cloudy like chocolate milk, it would be bad.

 

That is definitely good news.


Do you think it's safe to try to start it again or is that a stupid idea? I'd like to figure out if the timing belt slipped or something in there broke. My guess, oil has somehow leaked in there and made something slip.


If it is the starter, would it really make a metal knocking noise while the car was started? The car was idle. It's got me so confused.

 

The starter is not engaged once the car is running... by design anyways, so any knocking wouldn't be coming from the starter... not sure about that noise though... have no experience with that.
Hate to start it and do more possible damage... I think it's best, since under warranty, to take to the place that did the TB work and have them look at it.

 

might be a loose spark plug...

 

I don't think it has anything to do with the coolant as long as there is antifreeze in the system (that is not an original lexus radiator - stock radiator doesn't have a pressure cap but is completely closed)...

To me it sounds like something to do with the valves (hydraulic valve lifters) - engine also sounds exactly like that when one of them is stuck (and in our engines there is 32 of them - so it may be one or even a few of them as it usually happens to be a few at once)...
That also causes engine to work shaky and inconsistent and nose is because the lifter is hitting on the head cover...

 

I would tow it back to who ever did the TB.

 

TOYOTA COOLANT IS RED/PINKISH COLOR. any other type use is at yur own risk. yur timing belt could be jumping a few teeth. loud knock could mean alot like rod knock, valve adjustment. shaking or vibration could mean miss firing or clog cat mounts etc. i actually had more loud noise from my GSR which was rod knock/piston hugging the wall. i call it the knock of death.