mesheal7:
My RX300 recently developed an issue. After sitting down for a few hours, when I start it up, it makes a loud rattling noise for about 1 to 1.5 seconds. After that, it runs very smoothly, but the startup noise is an issue (Sounds like yanking chain out of a metal container).

A mechanic checked it and said it is the intake Camshaft in the front side of the engine, he changed 4 Belgium ones but the sound remained. After that, he did a cleanup of the oil pan, oil sum filter, cleaned engine sludge, and replaced the oil (I use the recommended 5w30), but the sound is still there.

Right now I have no idea why this happens or what to fix, and my mechanic is just as confused. I saw online that this problem is pretty common, but most people, when they resolve their issue, they forget to update the thread.

Gazzuzz, Ikenna351, Sienna, others, your suggestions would be appreciated. Please help.

GAZZUZZ:


since sludge is involved, check screen filters for VVTI. theres still a slim chance you have wear on crankshaft and bearings, which cause temporary oil pressure loss.

mesheal7:


Thanks Gaz. Id communicate this to him. Question, is this filter screen same as the oil control solenoid, cause he changed that.

Also, about the sludge, there really wasn't much. The oil was black yes, despite that I change often. But we hardly found sludge particles during cleaning, nothing significant on the sum filter either.

GAZZUZZ:


your exact engine. screen filters for vvti solenoid are under the 14mm bolts my finger is on.

mesheal7:
This is solved. After spending more than two weeks with the first mechanic, he still couldn't fix it. I decided to relax and try again after a while.

Last week I was introduced to another mechanic and I told him the history of repair attempts. He said he would not charge a dime before service, but that when it's fixed, he would give me the bill. His confidence surprised me.

I dropped it, picked it up the next day, and the noise was gone. In less than 24 hours this guy fixed what I spent the better part of a month trying to fix with another.

It turns out the issue was indeed the camshaft. But instead of replacing just the one in the front bank (the previous mechanic strongly insisted that only that one needs to be changed even when I suggested he changed both) the new mechanic worked on both engine banks.

And that was it. My lesson, and advice to everyone, if a mechanic tries for a couple of days and can't fix your issue, find another mechanic.

Thanks Gazz.uzz for your help!

Give it a few days and a long drive

GAZZUZZ:

Give it a few days and a long drive

mesheal7:
This is solved. After spending more than two weeks with the first mechanic, he still couldn't fix it. I decided to relax and try again after a while.

Last week I was introduced to another mechanic and I told him the history of repair attempts. He said he would not charge a dime before service, but that when it's fixed, he would give me the bill. His confidence surprised me.

I dropped it, picked it up the next day, and the noise was gone. In less than 24 hours this guy fixed what I spent the better part of a month trying to fix with another.

It turns out the issue was indeed the camshaft. But instead of replacing just the one in the front bank (the previous mechanic strongly insisted that only that one needs to be changed even when I suggested he changed both) the new mechanic worked on both engine banks.

And that was it. My lesson, and advice to everyone, if a mechanic tries for a couple of days and can't fix your issue, find another mechanic.

Thanks Gazzuzz for your help!

chukel:
I must commend u for the feedback. But give it a few days as chief said.

mesheal7:


Its been weeks now, and I've travelled quite some. Noise is gone

mesheal7:


Its been weeks now, and I've travelled quite some. Noise is gone

Kassiny:

Point of information.. I learnt alot on your post and feedbacks. Very educating. Thanks