2010 1.8 engine rattle at start up.

[Mark and Cath]

We have a problem where the engine rattles for a second at cold start and then goes back to purring.  The engine is a 2FR (I think).  It is very intermittent and much more likely to happen when the car has stood for a few days.  I had an Alfa Romeo once with a faulty camshaft adjuster and it sounded just like this every single time it started.  Does this startup noise ring any bells?  Any advice?  We have owned her from new and it did it a couple of times under warranty but they never could find it.  To be fair back then it would do it once every 6 months so they were never going to find it but at least they tried, now it is once or twice a week and annoying so it needs sorting.  Thanks.

[FROSTYBALLS]

It's a 2ZR-FAE.

[Mark and Cath]

Thanks for the correction.

1 hour ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

It's a 2ZR-FAE.

 

[Mark and Cath]

For anyone that comes across this thread it is the same fault as the Alfa, the VVT adjuster on the camshaft is the fault.  A quick Google shows that the fault is common across many models and it some parts of the world Toyota were recalling the cars under warranty.  In the UK we got told to do one LOL. 

The good news is it is just a noise and results in no damage.  When it does it all the time then change it, until then ignore it the occasional time it happens or pay hundreds for a new adjuster just to stop the odd noise.