Timing Chain Rattling?

[Boris1950]

Wotcher, I've just bought my first Toyota 2010 avensis 1.8 auto) after a couple of decades languishing with messrs Vauxhall and the flashy range of cars they are now producing.

My avensis has done 25K miles and I am now aware of a " tucka tucka tucka" coming up from the D/S of the motor at idle rpm . Having researched the matter I wonder whether there is an issue with either the timing chain or its tensioner.

Any thoughts pl?

[Exvec]

Remove Alternator belt and start the car see if the noise goes away iif it does you know its that.

[Boris1950]

Thanks for that, I'll give a go and see what comes of it.

One thing comes to mind though, and that is the plastic " punter intervention cover" and the possibiity that Toyota might give me hassle with the warranty if I remove it - I'm not sure what happens with the black screws/clips etc.I'm guessing that you might know about this aspect too?

Regards

Boris.

[Boris1950]

I've managed get the alternator belt off as you advised, and the noise is still present at idle rpm. I'm wondering now whether the tensioner unit is failing, or whether the chain itself is starting to go, although I would have thought that it should last longer than 25 thousand miles.

I bought the car from a Toyota dealer and wonder whether I could claim on the warranty on the basis that it is showing signs of early failure?

Boris

[avensisd4d786]

I would take it back if its under warranty.

[Heidfirst]

Toyota UK introduced a 5 year/100k warranty for cars registered from 1/6/2010. So it may be still under it's original manufacturer's warranty but also if you have literally just bought it from a Toyota dealer they have to warrant it for a minimum period & longer if it's part of the Approved Used programme. Plus you could always take out a Toyota extended warranty too if you have worries.

The recent (as in ~2006>) 1.8 petrol seems to give very little issues as a rule & as a once long-tem Vx user myself I think that you will find Toyota dealers a step above what you are used to (unless you still had one of the nigh on extinct small, family-owned Vx dealers).