dmichaels

Have 99 LX470 bought CPO 8/01 18k miles DOFU 5/99 Engine 2UZ-FE. Religous oil changes with mobil 1 Noticed engine knock on cold start at 46k miles. Brought into dealer told them that I thought it was lifter noise. Dealer response: Tech 251 found concern with vehicle as designed. Told dealer that did not beleive this was as designed. As no other vehicle that I owned with this little mileage ever made this sound. Said I would monitor and if got worse would be back at them. Well, obviously has gotten worse. My wife drives this vehicle most of the time and now with 55k miles on a cold morning here in MSP (10 degrees) engine sounds like a diesel and runs rough for first 45 secs - beyond unacceptable It reminded me of my 1976 ford van with a 351 V8 that made the same sound starting at 130k miles. The problem - bad push rod. the fix new pushrod. the cost $10.00. put another 70k miles on ford - no noise - car was rusty but trusty sold it for $200. This sound doesn't make me confident this engine will make it even to 100K. Any data toylexmods can provide would be great. BTW I use to race motocross on japanese technology - and continue to be pretty confident in it, however Lexus needs to respond more effectively than they have and do a proper diagnoses.