sounds like timing chain slapping the side of the case, maybe due to tensioner that didn't get enough oil. what kind of oil do you use? 0w20?

 

Timing chain could be plausible, I get it serviced at toyota so I don't know what oil is in the car.

 

what a racket!! Definitely not tappets noise. I'd have been very hesitant to keep driving that car.

 

well i have just come back from a 3000 km road trip, even though that sound is still evident when the car is started in the morning, the car drove beautifully.

 

It sounds like as if oil passages in valve train are clogged. Just like they were in son's Infinity, that made very similar noise at cold start ups. We fixed it. Your car, your faith.

 

If it is indeed the oil passages it can't be doing the valve train any good running it like this.

 

if it's only happening at cold startup it's not that really serious, just something to save money for repairs later.
the reason I asked about what kind of oil is that if it's too thick say 5w30, in cold weather it will take time to clear it's way into the hydraulic tensioners that tighten your timing chain and into the upper intake valves/cylinder. it also depends on what kind of oil filter you use, better use the oem or any aftermarket with anti-drain valve (the valve make sure that oil stays where they are and doesn't pass through all the way down to the oil pan, useful when car is parked for a long time)
the above is only true if once the vehicle warms up the noise disappears otherwise you have other issues.

if it's clogged it will be noisy cold or warm..

as a test, do the cold start and wait until the noise disappears and then shutoff the car. when you restart the car shouldn't make a noise since the oil is already in place. if the noise is the same as the cold start then it could be something else.

time to check the quality of your oil and use quality synthetic to see if it helps.

 

Ok, so here's my additional input.
Regulars here know I am running oil consumption test and am basically down to required mileage.
I also do alternate cars daily, so my TCH is not driven every day.
Last 3 cold start ups were horrendous!! Racket OP posted in his video is nothing compared to what I had. Entire car was shaking.

My firm theory is, because I have oil refill/check points sealed by Toyota, that oil level is so low that engine does not have enough lubrication on cold start ups and after sitting for about 40 hrs. THAT is causing the racket.

I am taking her in tomorrow, I have only about 40 miles left to hit the mark and have no intentions to keep torturing her like this.

 

good observation, sounds like a possible theory.

 

ok so i just went outside after the car had been sitting there for over 15hrs, first checked the oil, which looks like there is plenty of engine oil looking at the dipstick, then started her up, noticed a big difference in noise compared to that initial video, about 20% of what that video showed in relation to tapping etc, so I don't know whether that big 3000km run had anything to do it because before that over the last 12 months the car did short trips around 10- 50 kms each day. Don't know whether that has something to do with it.

 

Have you tried running the engine with the belt removed? I recently had to replace the tensioner and idler pulleys. One of them was making a hell of a racket.

It only takes a couple minutes to remove the belt.

 

yea thanks for I will have a look.

 

clayton, keep in mind - mine made that noise after sitting not driven for a few days. My gut tells me, oil leaked down past seals etc, combined with low oil level, resulted in noise and vibration.

 

well i had the normal log book service done last month, nothing was found and the car is still running perfectly.

 

ok finally the problem is solved! it turns out the fuel injectors were very dirty and clogged got it cleaned today and the car is so quiet and drives nicely, no more tapping sound ! He told me he does alot of these camry hybrids especially the cabs as they are all hybrids, he mentioned the prius's as well.

 

ok finally the problem is solved! it turns out the fuel injectors were very dirty and clogged got it cleaned today and the car is so quiet and drives nicely, no more tapping sound ! He told me he does alot of these camry hybrids especially the cabs as they are all hybrids, he mentioned the prius's as well.

If that was indeed the problem, you should re-think where you are buying your gas!