HeroDanny

Here’s a video https://youtu.be/YomiPPrKTe8?si=7nJZ0d-7X0MV1IGX

just noticed this the other day. I removed the serpentine belt and checked the pulleys nothing had any wobble to it. Water pump is not leaking.

Here’s the idler gear had some gritty to it but no wobble. https://youtu.be/AU9AB8q3rNQ?si=nN98DbvTiHABEjbV


and this is the water pump: https://youtu.be/qbtwLhDP8s4?si=lRHloNAJBFPX7Iup

LeX2K

Belt was rubbing on the water pump so can't tell. Idler pulley should be silent when you spin it time for a new one.

HeroDanny

Is this the replacement? https://www.autozone.com/external-engine/idler-pulley/p/duralast-idler-pulley-231158/966648_0_0

LeX2K

That's it. Warning: Dorman makes the lowest quality parts in the industry. If this part is as pictured it has a Koyo Japan bearing

HeroDanny

thanks! It says it will take a couple weeks to get here. Do you think it’s ok to continue to drive my car like this while I wait?

LeX2K

Can' say for sure but hearing how is sounded when you spun the idler it's not that bad yet. Also keep in mind there is a tensioner bearing that likes to go bad.

Cocky1211

Hi. I had my car in the Lexus service yesterday with the same sound. The sound has been re-occuring for over a year, but every time I went in for maintenance it was silent. Yesterday they finally heard it. The technician said it's the timing mechanism. He gave me an estimate of ~$8000 to either replace all of the timing (chain, chain guide, tensioner) and vvti gears (?). Or alternatively, put in a used engine. I'm struggling with what I should do.

Would appreciate any insight into what you discover. Mine is a 2014 RX350.

Suz

LeX2K

Get a 2nd opinion. I have a RAV4 that has VVTi start up rattle at times don't plan on doing anything about it. Engine has a bit of 200K miles if it blows up it blows up. Doubt it will.

carguy75

I would try to perform 3k mile oil changes with good quality high mileage oil to hopefully clean out the sludge that may be present in the VVT system, and hopefully the issue resolves itself without a engine tear down.

How often do change your engine oil?

Cocky1211

THe oil is changed regularly. I have it done at the dealership and they use the high quality synthetic. They say every 10k miles but I get it done every 5 or 6k.

Clutchless

Just keep driving it. It is not worth doing that expensive repair to eliminate a noise. As others said it make that noise and keep running for another 100,000 miles. If it fails, which is unlikely, take the $8000 you saved and put it toward a newer vehicle, it will be a better investment of your money.
I would also get a second opinion as dealers often attempt to scare customers into unneeded expensive repairs because the service writers work on commission. The dealers main profit center is the service shop, not from selling new and used vehicles.
Try to find a great independent repair shop. Use this database to start your search, then use Google or Yelp to find more and any prospective shops. https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files

Cocky1211

Thanks. I forgot to mention a possible key piece of info. Not sure if scare tactics but he mentioned that they saw metal slivers. I assume from whatever is causing the clacking may be generating those, i.e.something vibrating. His recommendation for a used engine is because he is wondering if the slivers found have gotten I to the engine. My brother and a friend called BS on that.

carguy75

Well it seems that a dirty VVTi system is not the cause of the issue if the oil has been changed on the regular every 5k miles by the dealership. It seems like you may need a timing component replaced in your engine.

Good luck and hopefully the timing system repair corrects the problem

Clutchless

They could have faked the metal slivers or made the whole thing up. You need a second opinion. Regardless I would just drive it until the engine failed or the noise gets so bad you cannot take it anymore. Save your money.

I had a similar thing on an old Honda where the transmission was making a whining noise. It was pretty old by then with lots of miles. My independent Honda guy said to just ignore it and drive it until it died or we could not take it anymore, that it was not worth investing in the repair, but who knows how long it would keep running. We drove it with the noise for 3 more years then donated it to charity because it still ran great, it just made that noise which had not changed!

Slapchop

Sounds like a bushing or bearing.