nyardich

Does 2009 ES350 have same cold start engine noise that my 2007 purchased May 06 has.
Tapping, Deisel sound until engine warms up.
I have 40000 miles and want to trade up but will not do until this "defect" is resolved. Should I wait for 2010's come out
Havnt heard many complaints lately so maybe this problem has been fixed.

Thanks,

Nick

LexPaul

I have a new 2009 ES and I have not experienced any engine noise at cold start. It got really cold here in Middle GA last week, 17 F overnight, but no problems...engine is smooth and quiet. Engine noise could result from the use of cheap or low grade fuel, which is not recommened and extended use could possibly cause engine noise....Did you get this ES new and what grade of fuel have you used?

Macklin

My '07 doesn't do it.

Wish I could say the same about the tranny...

I've actually been thinking about getting back into something more sporty. Saw a beautiful IS at the car show last weekend.

nyardich

Got ES new May 06, use mostly 89 octane but no diff with premium.
This problem is well documented on this site.
Seems Lexus says noise is normal and comes from piston slap....................
As I have 40K miles it is not a fatal disease. Just sucks.

MD350

This noise is not limited to just the ES350, but other Toyota products that have the same engine....Camry, Sienna, Rav 4 V6, etc.

nyardich

My question was does the 2009 ES 350 have same problem.............................Cold start engine noise.

Thank You

herbvdh

The tapping sound is normal and is not a defect. It has to do with the fuel injection system.When it is cold out you have secondary fuel injection delivering fuel also.

nyardich

Evidently you have not read all the posts about this annoying problem with my 2007 ES 350 and many others. Just do a search................
Its been diagnosed by many owners as Piston Slap, Fuel Injection, etc, etc.
Lexus says it is normal Piston Slap.
Its cold here now in Ohio and on startup my Lexus sounds like a washing machine and or a diesel engine and this sound has been with me since 2006 when I got it, mostly in cold weather. It does go away after warmup and otherwise I like my car......
My question has still not been answered.
Do the 2009 ES 350's have same symptom, defect, annoying sound, etc.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ml#post3916113

Nick

psp

Nyardich,

Mine does. But it is more like a tapping sound than the awful sound of a cold Mercedes 300SD. By the time I get to the end of the block and the heater turns on the engine is quiet. Every loaner ES or RX sounds the same, a tapping sound. I have an April 06 built ES 350. Noticable: yes, loud like a diesel: NO. Transient yes. 2009 loaner RX350: YES it did too.

bigblast

Yes - it does make the same noise.

nyardich

Thank You for responding.

I drove a 2009 ES350 today as loaner and could not hear any tapping at all.
I would trade up if I could only determine if there is a real problem with 09's.
The service denied any problem across the board and that Lexus had not addressed the problem.
Seems strange to me as so many owners complained since I bought mine in May 06,
Still not sure what I will do as I'm coming up on 40k on mine......................
Not many 09 owners responded to my question so I guess not all 09's have cold start tapping noise...........

Nick

YotaCarFan

Side note: My guess is that the 2010 model will be a mild refresh model, so it may be better to get a 2010 than a 2009, if you're tempted to upgrade. Although it'll have the same engine & transmission, it may have some other small improvements. Who knows, maybe they'll upgrade the navigation system to be like the one in the 2010 Prius, which has NavTraffic and the ability to control an iPod.

djmles350

I have an 07 ES350 with 25,000 miles on it. Last year I ask the service mgr about the cold start tapping noise. He said the ES350 has a timing chain vs a timing belt. The noise is attributed to the chain until warmup. I have dealt with the same service mgr for about ten years while owning seven various lexus models. He has always been responsive and solved every problem to my satisfaction. While I don't like the noise I have no reason to doubt his explanation. PS, the timing chain never requires replacement versus 90k life for the timing belt. The noise is not pre-ignition due to 78 octane gas, I am sure of that.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

Uh 78 How about 87 I understand, but don't agree with your fuel of choice. If you can afford a Lexus, you can afford the premium fuel that Lexus recommends we use in it.

Lou

djmles350

Sorry, meant to say 87octane, but I did I NOT say I used low octane so lecture is not necessary. When someone talks about spark knock low octane comes to mind even though modern engines automatically retard ignition to compensate. Just curious, thought this forum was to offer positive info rather than petty correction of a typo.