Toyota's new engine families seem to all suffer from the same issue: knocking or rattling at cold startups due to a faulty VVTi mechanism. There are TSBs out for almost all new I4 and V6 Toyotas related to this issue. However, the new tC is conspicuously absent from the TSBs even though my own tC seems to suffer from this issue. I've been to two separate dealers, with the first dealer telling me that it was "normal," and the second dealership telling me the same thing in so many words.
This is the latest revision of the TSB that applies to the 2AR-FE, the engine used in the tC, Camry, and other vehicles:
http://www.rav4world.com/tsb/2010/T-SB-0146-10.pdf As you can see, every other vehicle that uses this engine (or the 2.7L version) is included. An online acquaintance was kind enough to look up the list of TSBs for the 2011 tC and did not find a separate one that described this issue; Scion service bulletins may normally be listed separately a la Lexus service bulletins.
I think it's also prudent to show you what the sound is that I'm experiencing.Here's a link on youtube to an audio clip that sounds almost identical to my tC. Even though it's not causing any drivability concerns per se, it's very annoying and is audible inside and outside the vehicle at startup.
In summary, I want to know if anyone else has experienced this issue and/or anyone knows what else can be done to remedy this fault. I've already had Toyota involved and they are as-yet unwilling to do anything about it. I want them to acknowledge the issue first and foremost so that the part changes listed in TSB 0146-10 can be applied to my car and hopefully fix the problem. A brand new car should not sound like this at startup.
Engine rattling at startup
Linear Mode
