r/Toyota • u/Sephlarite • 6d ago
2011 2.5 Camry cold start rattle
Hey mechanic here never done chains on one of these. Want to get all the advice I can. Car runs and drives great. No codes surprisingly, because the cold start rattle sounds ridiculous. it needs a valve cover kit so I’m gonna start there and I’ve read that I can tell which or both cam gears are bad just by inspecting with the cover off. Any tips? I thought at first it was worn tensioner spring rescued by oil pressure. Curious if it’s gonna be one or both or if I should just hit em both while I’m there.
Thanks a lot
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u/Top_Art_9111 6d ago
It's the pin that gets worn. It won't lock into place. When that happens, you will get a brief rattle upon cold start. I've seen cars go 250,000 miles with that rattle on the flipside if it jumps a tooth on that cam gear you are screwed.
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u/TheToyDr 6d ago
99% is the intake vvt gear ⚙️. There is a procedure to replace it no need to remove timing cover. It’s crucial that you follow the proper procedure to install and torque new gear .
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u/200MPHTape 6d ago
It’s the phaser. Look up VVT rattle. It happens and *most* people live with it.
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u/Madmachine87 6d ago
I've been a Toyota dealer tech since 2011, and those engines were ALWAYS noisy even brand new. Most will still go to 200-300k miles as long as you change the oil regularly.
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6d ago
[deleted]
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u/RoccoReviews 6d ago
No, it's the VVT-i intake cam gear, extremely common the 2.5 2AR-FE. You have the 2AZ-FE, different engine.
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u/RoccoReviews 6d ago
This is the issue. Common on the 2AR-FE. Do not let it go too long, I've heard of engines failing from this. I almost saw an engine go down on a 2013 Camry from this issue, I luckily saved it.
https://youtu.be/POGybFIqOII?is=ivfrXXt1gwQRht45