mre2u2

That certainly is different to most cases. I'd be pushing them to inspect the VVT-i controllers... more so the locking pin mechanism and the oil flow to the controllers. The more efficient option I would say would be to sell the car and move on. Unfortunately that is the sad truth when it comes to these cars. They aren't exactly perfect depending on how you look at it, and part of owning it is to accept it's negatives. Good luck getting the tappet-like sound fixed. Would be the first I've heard of if you manage to. Got a call from the Workshop Foreman the other day and he advised they did hear the "tappet like sound" so I guess I was not imagining the sound. He believes the sound is caused from a faulty vvti Soleniod on the rear of the engine. Now the problem is they have to order the part from Japan and wait time of 2-3 WEEKS!!!! I asked if I could take the car since there is such a long wait, but he said he can't let me take it as there is a few recalls on this car and need to get these fixed first. I am fine with that as long as the issues are resolved, fingers crossed.

Hearing that makes me think your VVT-i controller is really stuffed. Also sounds like they are replacing tensioners left right and centre to cover a more serious issue. But to be sure of that, does your rattle sound like the one the guy has in the video I posted in the following thread: Aurion VVTI Noise Do you want your car back at all... because the 2GR-FE is a noise engine by nature, and the supercharger rattling at idle doesn't make it any better. There will be other noises there which can't be corrected. That is the noise I am hearing on startup. It doesnt happen when the engine is cold though, only after the engine has warmed up. Yes, i have been told many times these engines are noisey, but the tappeting sound & startup noise are Definately not normal. No I don't want the car back, until these noises have been corrected to prevent any unnecessary damage to the engine. I am sure anyone that hears these noises coming from their engine would be a little worried to drive the car.

2 months on since I reported my noisey engine, I have just had my 37,500km service done at Toyota. I reported the noise on startup and a new noise that sounds like tappets has appeared (I know there is no tappets in this engine but that best describes the noise). Had the Head mechanic (Workshop foreman) call me to advise he could not hear the noises and he found a loose hose on the supercharger that he will replace. I told him I didnt want the car back till the noises are corrected. The following day he called me back and said they did hear both the noises I had described. Today I get another phone call, "we need to keep the car here for 2 weeks, we will strip the top of the engine today as we think it is a Hydralic Lifter on the rear of the engine", WTF???? The car does not get thrashed, why would this happen? Does it take 2 weeks to replace the Hydralic lifter? The car is under Toyota extended warranty and they say not until the top end has been stripped will they be able to tell me if it will be covered under warranty? What will they look for to determine if it is covered under warranty? The car has had all its services done on time and it only has 38,000km on the clock. Any input would be appreciated. Cheers

Just thought id try my luck, are the parts still for sale?

Well I finally took my car in today to get the tensioner replaced as advised by Toyota. Here is my great experience with Toyota. First issue, hadn't heard anything from Toyota since I took the car in to show them the problem (about a month ago). They said they needed to order the part and should only be a week or so. I called them on Monday this week (1 month later) to find out what was going on, an hour later they call to say you can bring your car in on Wednesday to have the tensioner replaced. Seems like they forgot about me I would say! Second issue, I left the Car overnight at Toyota so they could work on it first thing in the morning and have the car finished early. They asked me what time I would like to pick it up, I said 2pm (should be enough time to do the job)... Get a call about 1pm advising the Car will not be ready to be picked up by 2pm and should be ready by 4pm, bigger job then they expected. Arrive at Toyota at 4.30pm car is still in the workshop and waited another 20 minutes and finally the car is ready. Third issue, started the car at Toyota when I picked it up, not a rattle on startup, they got it right, right??? Wrong, get home, turn the car off, hour later get back in the car, start it, the rattle is back!!! Are these guys serious, they heard the noise when I took it in originally, "Definately the tensioner" they said. They wasted 2 days, pulling bits and peices off the car/motor to replace the tensioner for no reason. I also asked them if they replaced the belt as originally advised, they said there was no need. I will call them tomorrow to let them know the noise is still there and I will like to see what they come back with. Anyway this is the first time I have dealt with Toyota and it definately isn't a positive experience. I have lost all confidence in taking my car back to Toyota, but I need to get this rattle fixed as it is bothering me to pieces. Any Ideas guys?

Thanks for following this up for me. Will I have to request toyota to put the revised Belt?

You need to be a little more specific on what you are identifying. You mention belt tensioner which would indicate you are referring to the drive belt tensioner. You do however also mention the timing belt (which is in fact a timing chain), and the tensioner for that is a completely different story. If you are referring to the drive belt tensioner, then it's as simple as pulling off the right wheel and taking off the splash guards. The tensioner is the shiny thing in the first photo. Second photo shows the tensioner locked with no tension applied. ou can see how you should be able to remove it rather easily. If you are referring to the timing chain tensioner, accessing the tensioner itself is easy as there is a service panel on the rear bank of the engine... however to access this, the engine needs to be lifted up due to it's location. I am referring to the Drive Belt Tensioner, the Timing Belt I was referring to, was my previous Car. Thanks for the info and the images, thats a great help.

Thanks for all your replies guys. Luckily the car has the Toyota Extra care warranty that only started 2 days ago, original warranty ran out 2 days ago. The guys at Toyota said that the tensioner would be replaced under Warranty. However the belt I would have to pay for about $100. Should I push to get the belt replaced under warranty since the belt looks fine and if the belt is damaged, surely it would be damaged due to the faulty belt tensioner? I did ask the mechanic at Toyota if this is a common issue with the Aurion and he said he had replaced a few Belt tensioners on the Aurions. How much of the engine needs to be dismantled to replace the Belt tensioner? My past experience with dealerships, had the timing belt replaced on my last car, got it home and got myself an oil leak, So I am a little concerned. They have told me I will need to wait 2 weeks for the parts to arrive from Japan, so it's a waiting game at the moment. PS: Today the car has not made the noise once, where as every day previously, it would happen at least once a day.

Hi Guys, Recently I purchased a TRD Aurion. After a while, I noticed a noise on startup which usually happens when the car has been off for a few hours or more. The best way I can describe the noise is it sounds like a diesel car when it first starts in the morning, that rattling sound. The noise only lasts 2 seconds or so. I read through the car manual and found a sticker in it which says something along the lines of "This engine is supercharged and may make a noise on startup, and there is no need to contact your TRD dealership as this is normal". So I decided to take it along to the local Toyota Dealership to confirm the noise that I am experiencing, is the same noise they are refering to in the manual. The mechanic came out and started the car and luckily the noise happened. He then said it was the Belt Tensioner needed replacing. My Question is, has anyone else had this issue with their TRD Aurion and if so, how many KM's were on the car when replaced? My Car has just over 31K so I am very suprised that this is happening at such low KM's. Any feedback would be much appreciated as I don't know to much about the TRD Aurion. Cheers