Wierd sound from engine on cold start

[stormblood]

I have a 2009 1.3 toyota corolla xli.
It is making a loud cranking sound when i cold start the engine in the morning.
The sound is not heard the second time the engine is started.
Any information on what this sound is will be helpful.
The car has done 84000 km.

I can post a video of the sound at startup but cant attach the file.

Thanks.

[behram.ali]

You cannot upload the video directly but can share a link to the video.

There can be number of reasons for this loud cranking sound.
But can you describe if it coming from top half or lower half of the engine?

[babaralinawab]

its your starter
have it serviced

[haseeb.basharat]

Feels like a vvti actuator to me. Please get it diagnosed from dealership.

[xzap042]

Are you using correct grade and quantity of engine oil?

[chinyoti]

The sound comes from the self starter. Its common in this model of Corolla. Get it serviced.

[stormblood]

Thank you. Will have it checked.
A mechanic informs me that this sound is from the timing chain.

[stormblood]

Car is maintained properly.
I dont know which engine oil is used but its serviced promptly between 4500 and 5000 km.

[stormblood]

Video of car making the sound.

[chinyoti]

This is definitely not the timing chain, they last a good 150-200k kms.

Get second opinion from other mechanics or toyota too. I still feel the sound on camera is slightly higher because of it being near to the camera. Let me tag xulfiqar bhai he might be off help here

@Xulfiqar bhai please check the video maybe you help with the sound

[Xulfiqar]

This engine doesnt have vvt actuator issue normally, but it is not inmune to it (eventually all vvt engines will wear them)

I have also seen a bad chain tensioner do this too, the ratchet teeth wear out, remove tappet cover and inspect, you will need to remove cams to test vvt actuator

[stormblood]

Will take the car to the dealerahip. With this video maybe they can fix.
Because once the car is started this sound does not appear again until the engine is fully cold.

[stormblood]

Gave my car to toyota.
They informed me that there is sludge deposits on the engine. They got fixated on this and recommended a complete overhaul of the engine.
So with the engine running smoothly with no issue except for that sound, i didnt go for that option. A complete overhaul will cost 2.5 to 3.5 lacs from toyota dealership.
Their technician said to get engine flush which will solve this issue.
So im back to square 1. Car has been serviced regularly by myself from Total pump near my house.....so i dont know what this sludge is.
So now what to do?
Get the timing chain done from somewhere else or try engine flush?
And how to get engine flush.

[Xulfiqar]

If you see sludge its a sign of using wrong oil and probably choked pcv valve

Wrong and very thick oil causes sludge too as it wont move fast enough to clean anything. I would suggest to remove tappet cover, fully clean the baffles in it (also remove the chain tensioner with engine at tdc1, clean it out. Check its condition and clean it good, replace its Oring and put back then unlock it from tappet cover side

Replace pcv valve

Fill with good 5w30 and keep on driving, all the above will remove sludge slowly over a period of time and hopefully your noise will go away

Ive done it on a similar engine (1zz)

[stormblood]

Thank you. Will do as you suggest.

[umair149]

Sounds.like vvt rattle.
And since its happening on 1st cold start and does not happen after that also points towards vvt rattle.
Usually since due to sitting overnight engine is not well lubricated on first cold start.
Possibiliy for this to happen is having a long term "dushmani" with car, not changing oil in time, using wrong oil type and stuff.

[stormblood]

Oil of car has been changed at regular intervals. Ive had the car since new.
However the regular intervals come after a long time as car is not used daily.

I am also very concerned as to why this buildup has happened. Have been getting car serviced myself cant even blame it on someone. Have been taking it to the total pump for oil change.
Dont know which oil has been used however. Used whatever they recommended. I think thats where the problem lies.

Next week inshallah will take the car for necessary work as prescribed by pw member Xulfiqar.

[stormblood]

Any suggestions which oil brand to use for the future.

[anon36782927]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[umair149]

Sludge build up can happen due to usage of high viscosity for long time. U shall use 5w30 fully synthetic.