Oh wtf is that. That does not sound good at all. Open the hood and do a visual inspection of the belts. What temperature is it when you do these cold starts.

 

There is nothing visually out of place. The car was serviced 4,000 miles ago and has the correct amount of oil in it. The temp was 50 degrees this morning and the car has 34,000 miles on it.

 

Sounds like the VVTI rattle. I've worked for various Toyota dealerships for the last 6 years, unfortunately "they all do that". Brand new, 0 miles on them, they clunk and clank when you start them. Camrys and Rav-4s are the worst.

EDIT: There's actually a TSB for the Rav Camry and Venza

http://media.fixed-ops.com/Toy_ServiceBulletins/sb0041t13.pdf

 

Sounds like the VVTI rattle. I've worked for various Toyota dealerships for the last 6 years, unfortunately "they all do that". Brand new, 0 miles on them, they clunk and clank when you start them. Camrys and Rav-4s are the worst.

My car has never ever done that. And I have done cold starts in the low 40s.

 

It has not always sounded like that. It sounds like loose plastic pieces flying around. I know that VVT-i rattle exists but this seems extreme. 50 degrees is not really cold. The car has been exposed to much lower temps before.

 

Definitely bring it in, make as many videos as you can.

 

It's pretty easily duplicated as long as the car sits for a while.

 

My 2015 makes a similar (maybe the same exact noise) but not that loud.

Since it had about 3000 miles on it I started to notice. I took it to the dealer and they told me every noise they heard was "normal". I plan to take it back once or twice before the warranty it up. It does it no matter if the temperature is 80 or 10F. I don't know what to do.

 

I figure I'm going to get either "Could not duplicate" or "It's normal". I'm not buying it being normal. It sounds like something loose flying all over the engine bay.

 

Mine sound like a loose belt and some clattering. Nearly the same as your video. I left my car at the dealer overnight so they could hear it at cold start. I KNOW they heard it, but at first they told me they heard "nothing out of the ordinary". I asked if they heard any sounds. They said "we heard the normal sounds of the lubricants getting distributed in the parts of the engine, like the valves and other parts of the system"

I am very concerned, although it runs great and I have no other problems. Take it in. Let them get the complaint on record. Maybe they will have enough of us they will actually DO something. This does not sound normal. I have had 4 Toyotas. I have heard no sounds like this in any other cars or trucks.

I hope it IS normal. I hope it's not causing future problems. I only heard mine when the weather got colder and I started my car with the door open. Mine's not as loud but sounds like the same problem. (if there is a problem at all) It does not sound "normal" to me.

I will be keeping a close eye on this thread. Good luck to you. Let us know if they diagnose it. It will make a difference for not just me but others as well.

 

You get that at 50F (10C for us Canadian folks). I can tell you I have NEVER heard that noise with my Corolla on a cold day this winter, and we're talking cold starts in temps of -13F (-25C). And no, I don't have a block heater for the car either.

 

I have the same noise too. 2015 LE.

 

Have you taken it to the dealer yet? Let us know what they tell you if you do.

I have the 2015 LE as well. Mine is not as loud as in the video but the same general sound. I have to really listen with the hood closed but anyone can hear it. My dealer told me the sound was "normal"

EDIT: I had not started my 2015 LE for 5 days. I started it today with the hood open thinking it would be easy to hear. Temp was 50F. I was going to make an appointment and take it to the dealer again overnight. Now I see no need since I heard nothing but a smooth start. Strange.

I heard NOTHING. I don't know what is causing this sound. My car has done it a number of times in all temperatures, but I'm starting to think what my dealer told me about being "normal" might be true. Maybe this engine makes similar sounds for the first little while then stops. I only have 3767 miles on mine. I will continue to listen for the sound. I'm glad others have this same problem. It might not be serious. They have no TSBs out on our cars at this point.

 

It's the same noise as the VVTi cam gear rattle that I posted the TSB above. If "something loose was flying all over the engine bay" it would not be an intermittent noise. You'd hear it every time and the engine would quickly be toast. The TSB added a VVTi Controller with a "lock pin" which perhaps is not engaging correctly every time in the newer cars.

"The VVT-i controller consists of an outer housing that is driven by the timing chain sprocket, and
a vane sub-assembly that is coupled to each camshaft.
The intake side uses a VVT-i controller with 3 vanes, and the exhaust side has used one with 4 vanes.
When the engine stops, the VVT-i controller (intake) is locked at the most retarded angle by its lock
pin, and the VVT-i controller (exhaust) is locked at the most advanced angle. This ensures excellent
engine startability.
The oil pressure sent from the advance or retard side passages of the intake and exhaust camshafts
causes rotation of the VVT-i controller vane sub-assembly relative to the timing chain sprocket, to
vary the valve timing continuously.
An advance assist spring is provided on the VVT-i controller (exhaust). This helps to apply torque
in the advanced angle direction so that the vane lock pin securely engages with the housing when
the engine stops."

 

Sounds almost like a dry coolant pump picking up its prime after a couple seconds.

 

I have the same noise as described there. I just always thought it was kinda normal as I only really noticed it when it was below freezing, but I will see if mine does it in the morning. I'm bringing mine in for the 20k this friday anyway, so I will probably bring it up.

 

Unfortunately I have had to cancel the service appt for tomorrow due to a more serious issue with our G37 cropping up. I plan to reschedule for next week - will keep everyone posted. I'm starting to think that this is normal based on comments, but it sounds incredibly cheap.

 

A couple thoughts. Is this engine direct injection? The injectors on di engines make a lot of noise. Have you ever had a Toyota? The VVTI does make a lot of noise on start up and this can be moreso if it sits overnight. That is my experience with my Camry. Lastly, what oil is in it? My Camry will use 5-20 or 0-20. It is quieter with 5-20 in it.

 

The Corolla engine is not direct injection. I have had a Toyota before, but it was non-VVT-i.

I run 0w-20 oil. That is the recommendation for the engine, though I'm sure 5w-20 would not hurt.

 

Mine has 5w-20 and it does it. So it is probably not the oil. I am taking it for service next week and will update you.

 

I am glad I found this thread.. It is cold here in Michigan and mine makes the same noise during initial startup in the mornings I am at 30k right now on my car.

 

I don't think the OP is talking about the ticking from injector or valvetrain noise, that's common. I believe the noise in question is the slapping plastic sound like when you throw a piece of plastic in a box fan it waps around for a few seconds.

My not so educated guess is something to do with cooling (radiator fan blades) or air system (cabin AC/Heat system fan blades). It sounds to me like you've got a loose or cracked blade or some kind of crap stuck in that area that's getting smacked when the blades move.

That's not a metal mechanical sound, it's a plastic or a soft item. Doubt its a belt, you'd know if it was too.

 

Strange how so many cars do this. I posted earlier that I heard this sound, took it to a dealer, let it sit overnight and they started it in the AM. They told me it was all normal. My car is doing it again. It only has 4000 miles on it. It's not a sound so bad that you think it's going to blow. It sounds like something plastic caught somewhere. Then it fades away after about 2 seconds. Then it won't do it unless it sits for like 10-12 hours.

I will take it to the dealer again before the warranty runs out but I doubt they will do anything. I am going to try to be there this time so they can't deny there is a strange sound. It sounds just like the OPs video, but just lasts 1-3 seconds.....I guess his does too.

It worries me, but it runs like a champ. I have no other problems, and I'm not even sure this is a problem. I had a mechanic friend listen to it. He said it sounds like a fan or belt. All fans and belts are tight and in place. He said it could be a fan from the cabin, but it's coming from under the hood.

Not sure what to do besides see if it gets worse, but it seems about the same every cold start. Temperature isn't a factor. It happened in 70F all the way to 10F.

I think this is happening to more people than have posted here. You have to really listen to mine to even hear it. If you are inside the car you can't hear it. If the radio is on....you can't hear it. Only if you listen real close with the hood down or lift the hood and listen can you hear it. I don't think it's "normal"

 

I still think it might have something to do with the water pump. I had a water pump on my Blazer that sounded like that and it would explain why it sounds like it is coming from the belt.

 

No it's not the belt... That is the sound of the exhaust camshaft timing gear. It's still the same 2ZR-FE engine introduced in the 10th gen 2009 Corolla. Many have had their exhaust camshaft timing gear replaced, as per TSB, but the problem is still reoccurring, not to mention also cylinder head gasket and eroded cylinder deck leaking problems.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...engine-transmission-forum/301528-tsb-engine-knock-rattle-squeak-cold-start.html


http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...gen-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/1250041-engine-rattle-cold-start-back.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...atrix-engine-transmission-forum/533705-weird-cranking-grinding-noise-start.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...2nd-gen-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/878601-rattle-startup-engine-warm.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...engine-transmission-forum/1191626-2010-corolla-s-ticking-rattle-sound-idle.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...n-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/1203274-2010-s-has-wicked-knock-startup.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...rolla-2nd-gen-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/295962-oil-starved-start-up.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/603361-rattle-when-starting-2009-corolla.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...atrix-engine-transmission-forum/725185-cold-start-grinding-noise-follow-up.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...lla-2nd-gen-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/791658-grinding-after-startup.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...-engine-transmission-forum/383223-engine-vibration-1-8-liter-2700-2900-rpm.html


2014/15 Corolla: http://www.corollaforum.com/threads/grinding-noise-on-startup.4698/


http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...orolla-2nd-gen-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/1267697-2zr-fe-head-gasket.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...orolla-2nd-gen-matrix-engine-transmission-forum/551474-lost-my-compression.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...engine-transmission-forum/1122858-corolla-2009-sport-compression-test-fail.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...e-transmission-forum/1146393-2009-corolla-antifreeze-leaking-into-cylinder.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...x-engine-transmission-forum/1074369-2011-corolla-base-head-gasket-oil-leak.html

 

@invader the so called grinding in that video sounds to me like holding the key too long and its wearing the starter. Nothing abnormal or problematic.

The ticking or tapping people have mentioned is injector and valvetrain noise, its notorious on this 1.8 and the honda 1.8 as well the honda 1.5, 2.0 and various other versions of the japanese engines. They go 300k plus like this, its annoying but its not an issue unless your timing is off or you lose fuel economy etc. The noise of itself is not a problem, but watch for side effects as the mileage goes up.

 

OK I removed that video.

 

Just want to make an addition to my statement on the japanese engines...

The noise in the valvetrain commonly referred to as a tapping or ticking is due to the VTEC that Honda uses, or the VVT-I that Toyota uses.

At low RPM the tappets have more room and more play, thus they sound a little sloppy as they smack louder due to that slight extra space. Once the RPM go up you notice it goes away, caused by the valvetrain tightening up with more rotations per minute, hence filling that void and losing the sound. by having these variable valve timing setups, we get better fuel economy by having less power on the low end, and the cam gear can lock in to more tappets on the high end if more power is needed. Thats why the kids these days love the honda civic especially, if you go to youtube and type honda civic V-Tec, most of the results will likely show kids showing off "VTEC Kicked in Yo!" because theyre so proud of the extra boost in power that VVT feature gives.