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.

Hey everyone,

I seem to be having a problem with Lexus and the tech assist department. Can any owners post some documentation please.

99 LX470 with 75,000 miles.

Started last winter in Colorado. Engine knock when started in cold temps. Sounds like a diesel truck....ie knock, knock, knock....lasted for 30 seconds or so. We didnt leave the truck outside that often...but the noise was worse the colder the temps. I really noticed it when I had to move the truck in the driveway after a cold start....it sounded like a diesel. on accel....knock, knock, knock.

Ok, winter 2002 there were no abnormal noises heard...45k on the odometer.

Ok, winter 2003 it sounded like this with around 60k on the odometer.

10 degrees....it would make noise even at idle on start up.

20 degrees....less noise but could still hear it.

30 degrees....hard to tell, but if you put it in gear and loaded the engine it would knock.

Ok, fast forward to this year winter 2005 in Oregon with 75k on the odometer.

30 degrees...much, much louder knock....same knock as last year just louder at a warmer temp. Also, the knock will last for 2-3 minutes...or if you drive the truck it sounds like a constant knock, knock with engine speed. You can hear it outside, inside and all around the truck. Stand fifty feet away and listen as the truck takes off. Yes, you hear it just like a diesel truck taking off.

40 degrees....less knock noise that 30 but its very clear and lasts for the same 2-3 minutes.

50 degrees....I heard it this week on a cold start. Put the truck in gear and moved it in the driveway....there it was the diesel knock noise.

So, the trend is getting worse and I made the appt to have it looked/listened to. I had to leave the truck overnight. Got the call...and Lexus techs said could not duplicate. Ok, leave it again....same response. 3rd day I come to pick it up and take the techs out on a 49 degree morning. I start it, put it in gear and there is the knock. Two techs heard it....jumped out and listened. It lasted for about 2 minutes and the techs said they would have to call tech assistance. I told them that the noise was about a 3 on a scale of 1- 10 because it was farily warm that morning. Ok, now the round and around with Lexus customer service. Tech assist says its piston noise and normal. Lexus customer service says that the dealer is saying its normal piston noise. .....round and around general passing the buck.

So, I come to find out that the Tundra/ Sequoia group have been having this problem for a couple of years but on a much higher/ louder scale. Nothing is mentioned in the Landcruiser circles....nor here in the LX40s circles. These are different engines than the Tundra and should not have this clearance issue with the pistons.

Bottom line, noise is wear...and its getting worse. And, its not several pistons...it is just one piston. The knock is one piston, period.

There it is gang, if you can document your LX age, mileage and climate that would be great. Oh, and if your hearing any abnormal knocking when you put the truck in gear and or take off from a cold start. My argument is simple....if this is normal, then any number of similar aged/mileage LX470s will have this noise. Simple, right? Well bring me some trucks that make the noise.

So, post if your having the noise and/or if your not having any noises. 

__________________

Cheers,

Dave Hall

99 LX470....special knocking diesel model. We were thinking about a new GX470 but forget it now.

92 SC400

00 LS400

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