Cure for valve clatter on hard acceleration on 2004 ls 430 with 85,000 Miles

 

Is check engine light on?

 

Try running oil additives.

 

Very unusual.. I'd first trying changing the oil and filter and check for any fragments if visible near the plug. . . Once again, there has to be something happening here for a proven engine that goes 300,000 miles + without issues to have clatter. First time I've heard of it on the forum. Needs to be looked into further. Preferably Lexus. I'd go for the $99 diagnostic fee to see what they say. They will back up anything and apply the fee to any repair which hopefully is something minor.Haven't heard anyone posting a tired LS430 engine on this Forum. Good luck my friend and please let us know how you make out.

 

Whats the history and or service history of car?

 

Very little info. How long have you owned this car? What is it's history? Have you serviced it regularly and where? Lexus or and independent shop? Please tell us as much info as you can so that we may be as helpful as possible.

 

Do you notice the "clattering" only under full acceleration and shifting gears? If you put the car in neutral does this same clattering noise occur?

It's possible you may have low oil in the engine and would be the first thing to check. I believe after a certain level the car will give you a warning light if your are low on oil. LS430s are known to have leaking valve covers even if you have 85k on your car depending on the area you live and if you have extreme climate temperature changes the valve covers over time can start leaking after 13 years. The front engine splash shield has a small access door held in with a few bolts to access your oil filter when changing your oil. If you check under that splash shield and notice oil then you may have leaky valve covers causing low oil in your engine over time.

 

Very unusual, but depends on the history and several factors too.

 

If I"m not mistaken, our valve lash is adjustable? I dunno if anyone feels like paying for that or even DIY, on my Nissan I didn't in over 240k miles....

https://st.club-lexus.ru/attach/u/d471a843.pdf

 

This is like playing "Name that Tune". The less data is given, the larger the number of possible answers!

 

I just had a hvac guy here (good guy hundreds of 5 star YELP and Angies list this and that awards etc). He in a way cut to the chase.

"I don't go by anything you say, I see for myself and use my test equipment."

I was convinced I needed my a coil (evap) cleaned. He pulled the humidifier out and showed me it was clean. Told me my problem is the fancy 3M restrictive filters I use, updated a blower setting for heat, cleaned the flame sensor, and proved to me by showing me temps in the duct a) with my filter b) with a cheap new filter c) with no filter.

 

The best part of these threads is when the OP doesn't check back in..

I too find it hard to believe a low mileage 3UZ is making internal noise.

Maybe detonation?

 

Using Regular gasoline or Premium?

Could it be lifter knock if using low octane/bad fuel?

 

This is what I was going to suggest but you beat me to it.

2nd choice, check the oil. Well maybe first choice.

Does the noise come from one side of the engine or both banks???

 

I had an 02 with 175k that would tick pretty loud on cold startup, then quiet down. You could only hear it when warmed up if you pull up next to a wall with window down. I was told it was a cracked exhaust manifold, but sounded like lifter tick to me. I was surprised even at this mileage because the rest of the car worked/looked perfect. I tried Rislone and Lucas oil additives but they didnt seem to do much. Traded her in on an 06.