We bought a nice, used 2007 RX350 recently. It is a nice car (with way too many gadgets!).

My only complaint is a nasty engine noise that occurs for about 1 second when first starting each day. (But it never occurs if the engine was recently run.)

To me, is sounds like the valves or lifters are way out of adjustment, and the valve train clatters loudly until oil rises into the head.

Can anybody else tell me:
- Have you experienced this problem?
- Is there a known solution or repair?
- Did Lexus service accept this "intermittent" problem and made an actual repair?

philbucher@earthlink.net (Denver)

 

A 2007 model is hard to equate to the latest gen in this forum, notwithstanding the fact that your engine has already been run in for 'x' number of miles. However, and this applies to low or high mileage powerplants, engine performance is optimized at operating temperatures. This is especially critical for aluminum engines as they come up to this level sooner than cast iron engines of old, and in doing so they expand thermally more rapidly. So naturally, it takes a little while for all the parts of the engine (block, bearings, crankshaft, pistons and rods, springs, valves, etc...) to reach that ideal design state. From a cold start then, they will run a little rough, and the valves and springs will clatter more than normal. Not too worry then as this condition also exists with new engines as well.

This comment is not intended to minimize your situation, as it is difficult to assess your case from a keyboard far away. If your engine noise is as severe as you suggest, a Lexus dealer will be much better equipped to determine whether your engines requires remedial action.

 

On a cold start mine does make a little more noise, almost a clatter.
This goes away in a second and I believe is to be expected/ normal.

 

you should probably post this to the 2nd generation RX forum. Good luck

 

I had an '09 and the rapping noise would last till the engine warmed up which was quite long in winter.
Although I had read the noise doesn't doesn't harm the engine,it was very annoying and aggrivating.

 

This is normal on the (DI) Direct Injection engines. We have it on our GS also.
There is a note about it in the owners manual.

 

From what I read, the ES and RX models do not have direct injection.

 

That is correct. The RX and ES, as well as Toyota applications, do not have direct injection.

 

Did he mean the weird/loud noise in the beginning and only last a second long?

 

Generally vehicles equipped with hydraulic lifters will do this to some degree. When you shut off the car the oil will leak out of the lifters, and the next day upon restarting, they will be "dry". Its takes a few seconds for the oil, to "pump" back into the lifters. Cold weather makes the oil more viscous which takes longer to flow into the lifters.
If you use a different grade oil than is recommend by Lexus, and if it is "thicker" than factory oil, this can make the problem worse.

I am just speaking of hydraulic lifters in general. I did not look to see if the RX's have these on them.

 

moved...........

 

I am have a 2010 RX 350 with about 9,000 miles. The engine has developed
loud valve and tappet (I think) noise after about 5,000 miles. I am working with Lexus to find a resolution to this problem and have worked with the local service manager, the actual technician and a regional specialist. So far they have given me an answer that I don't think I or other RX350 users are going to like; which is "that's the way the engine sounds". Interestingly, I test drove a loaner with 700 miles (no noise) and a loaner with 12,000 miles (same bothersome noise as my auto). This could be a really big problem for Lexus in that owners buy their product for comfort, power and a quiet ride. This will also kill their off lease sales because all of these cars will sound like a loud sewing machine.

My RX is on lease and I would like them to take it back. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

 

I have an 08 that i purchased used. It had a slight tapping noise when you first start it up. nothing loud or noticeable from the outside. Remember the engine noise is a lot more noticeable from inside of the car. I changed over to full synthetic 5w20 and the sounds have gone away. I have 83k -so light tapping is normal for this mileage.

 

synthetic oil is your friend! use it.

 

Other threads on this topic suggest trying Premium Gas for the next few fillups. Along with using Synthetic Oil as well any other suggestions?