Startup Clatter

Just bought a new to me 2020 TRD Off Road CC. Has about 42K on the clock. Joins our family that includes a Tundra and a RAV4. Lost count of how many Toyotas I’ve had but I haven’t run into this with any of them before. Did a search and found some mentions of the clatter at startup after sitting for a week or more, but then only for a second or two. Didn’t find anything that addresses it exactly.

Starts up fine but when it’s cold there’s a distinct clatter on the passenger side of the engine. It lasts for about 10 or 15 seconds until the engine suddenly changes RPM, makes some kind of audible adjustment and then it goes away immediately and sounds and runs normally. But when if first starts up it sounds like it’s starved for oil and/or something like bad lifters or rockers. It’s pretty loud and again only on the passenger side. I'd expect a tiny bit before the oil gets circulated on a cold start, but this lasts longer than it should IMO, and odd that it's only on the passenger side.

It happened at the dealership when I first looked at it, but it was cold and I chalked it up to sitting for a while. However it does it when I first start it up every morning.

The wife's 2010 RAV4 V6 with 80K does not do this at all.

Otherwise it runs great and I’m happy with it. But if this is a known issue I still have a few days to return it no questions asked ($250 return fee, but worth it if there's going to be an ongoing issue.

I'll try to take a video and post a YT link tomorrow.

Welcome the advice if the experts here.

TIA!

 

Injectors cleaning cycle. Normal.

 

On start up ?

 

there is a noisy, mechanical (cam/roller) high pressure fuel pump on the passenger side. it radiates from its body and fuel rails, both of which have some minimal
sound damping material. i'm not saying it is involved, but maybe and something to keep in mind.

Edit: ...and welcome!
related/funny: when i was having some warranty work done, i was given a loaner. It was not a tacoma but some sort of new toyota sedan. the guy handing me the keys told me it was running and I said "I know, i can hear it rattling". He tried real hard to conceal his laugher but could not. some things just make noise.

 

The cleaning cycle doesn't happen on cold start on

 

Bad VVT solenoid?

 

Possible...

I'd borescope cylinders #5 and #6(pass. center & rear)

 

I Think we should hear the noise before we all jump on the speculation train.

 

Naw, let's just start throwing parts at it

 

Timing chain tensioners are "controlled" by oil and sitting a while I recon the pressure could be bleeding off. The most I've let my truck sit was like 4 days, but it never has made that noise. Anti-drainback for the oil is built into the engine/oil filter housing (not sure which on this engine), so could possibly be an issue there.

We did have a 2015 Camry with the 4 cylinder that did that clatter on every startup, but that was normal for those engines.

Now we have a Subaru, and that thing makes all kinds of weird noises cold

 

Mine has had that noise since pretty much day one. Has 50k now and hasn’t changed volume levels.

 

Wow! You guys rock! Thanks so much for the terrific feedback and welcome, much appreciated. Here's a video I made this morning. Cold start after sitting for about 8 hours. The clatter isn't quite as loud on the video as it seems in person. This time it lasted a little longer than "normal". You can hear it stop at about the 25 second mark and then it sounds fine. I hope it's somewhat normal because I really like this truck but if it means repairs, downtime and all that goes with it, there are plenty more out there.

Welcome any more thoughts and thanks again!

 

That's the injectors making that noise. Might be a cold start procedure, I've never payed attention to that before. Now I'm gonna have to go start mine...


EDIT: Started mine up and same noise and duration. Hadn't been run in 24 hours.

 

Mine sounds like that everyday (83k), the trick is to not open the hood.

 

it has port and direct injection, depending on the load its under it will switch

 

Normal operation... carry on.

That is the injector solenoids clicking. You will also heard them occasionally when you come to a stop in traffic. The sound will bounce off other vehicles at a light and be noticeable with the windows done. That is normal.

 

All good news. Phew!

Welcome any other thoughts of course, but I will put the panic button away and enjoy my new ride if all are in agreement.

Truly appreciate the awesome responses and help.

 

So I was partially right?

 

basically it can be louder in cleaning cycle , still a lil rowdy though

 

If it has rockers, return it.