Here's Why Your Car Rattles on Cold Starts

Do you hear a rattle from your car's engine on cold starts?

The reason is the variable valve timing actuator pin can wear out and not engage when the vehicle is parked. Once all the oil drains out overnight, the actuator rattles before catching itself back into place until oil pressure is built up.

In this video, we take a look at where the VVT actuators are located on a 1MZ-FE V6 Toyota VVT-i engine, take it apart and examine the wear on the VVT-i actuator.

The remedy for this issue is to replace the actuator which involves removing valve covers, the timing belt side of the engine and the camshaft. Typically at the age these fail it its not worth replacing, and it shouldn't be of severe harm to your engine. A heavier oil weight or stabilizer (such as Lucas) might help dampen the sound, but ultimately the wear on the metal components will still exist.

Make sure you change your car's engine oil on time!
You can get engine oil here:
Oil filter:
Oil Filter wrench:
Special security bit for the VVT-i bolts:

This is the Camera I use:

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[davidgutierrez-yceu]

Wow! After years of a muddled understanding on how this VVT system works, your video has clarified for me how this system operates. Thank you. Well done. 🙂👍🏼

[ibmtpx]

This has been bothering me for years and I am not even a Toyota owner. Thank you so much for allowing me to sound really smart in front of my neighbors and family members who own Toyotas on Zoom meeting even all I could say was "there is a pin inside the engine that is making the noise..." before I lost them completely.

[Crazystuffyousee]

I'm not sure how this channel doesnt have more subscribers...
Your ability to explain and teach is awesome...!

[thegravitx]

4TH AND FINAL UPDATE ! 07/04/2024
Rav now has 308k Miles. Took the plunge and drove it to the youtuber The Car Care Nut about 8 months ago and he replaced the solenoid and installed a new head cover gasket. Rattle stopped and chain / chain guides were looking solid and no where near being damaged. Gave the car to my mom and got a GS350 F-Sport. She will eventually have to worry about getting the block replaced for a new one since it burns oil and has an engine balance rod rattle that will one day cause some serious issues. Other than oil consumption, car still runs great with at least 50k trouble free miles ahead. 👍🏻

3rd update! 01/02/2023. Car now has 280k miles, rattle has not changed its duration, remains the same since 150k ish. My only concern would be one of the plastic guides falling off due to vibration and end up messing up the chain.

Update since I saw your video for the first time!! I couldn’t find my original comments under someone else’s comment. When I noticed the noise, my 11’ Rav with the 4cyl had 130k miles. Now it has 248k and has not changed (noise lasts about 2 seconds then goes away). I’ve learned to live with it and I’m getting my money’s worth out of this car. Really seems like it doesn’t damage the engine.

[EnnTomi]

love this RAW content no BS straight into the point attitude.

[Zkttimandjes]

I love your videos. You truly take teaching to the next level by not only telling your viewers what is happening, but actually showing them. Thanks

[fastfiddler]

It's nice to know this isn't a critical issue. As long as it works and you're not getting stuck in advanced or late timing and screwing up your hp and mileage, nothing really to worry about. I do see auto shop scam material here though. An expensive fix to repair something that isn't really broken.

[davidmungai]

This noise has worried me for such a long time but now I can sleep in peace. My friends had crazy ideas about the noise I almost bought a new engine. Thank you so much

[philipseisman]

I just traded my 16 Benz for an 09 Corolla to have a cash car. I noticed this rattle and your video helped me understand the root cause. You did phenomenal at explaining everything to include the level of importance in getting it fixed. Awesome job 👏

[godsarmy]

Here the trick I use to not rattle at next start. When your done driving the car, park it and let it idle for 3 minutes. At your next start it shouldn't rattle. It's been working for me .

[afrosamuri]

"Brothers old underwear". You're game, good thing you wore gloves.

[johnmusilamusila]

Oh great content. I LIKE the way you go straight to the point. Not like other youtubers who beat about the bush to make a 6-minute-worth of content go for over 20 minutes with many many unrelated stories about the hare and the tortoise going to the market to buy groceries.
Very good job and good flow of content.
How do you know all this stuff though?

[DJWizmuzk]

I got recommended this video just when I was about to give up on finding a solution to my cars rattling noise. Thank you so much I am officially subscribed

[VladPayne]

You are a lifesaver. Thank you for the info! Had been searching for info on that rattle for like a year now

[richmccallable]

Man if your brother wasn't there to help you with all his stuff!!

[PBJ_]

Appreciate the information. I’ve been dealing with the rattle for many miles on my 2GR-FE engine. My mechanic visually didn’t see anything but this explains the rattle and I’m glad it doesn’t do any major damage.

[driftlong]

"going to use a piece of my brother's old underwear", can I use my wife's old underwear instead? I don't speak to my brother anymore.

[mikezzz]

This guy's YouTube Channel is gonna be unstoppable in a few years.

[mecanicageneral]

At the end of the day your brother made this video possible. He gave you the proper tools to explain very well about the rattle. His used underware and tooth brush. Great video very well explained and very funny also!.

[kittypigeon]

Man, this guys knows his stuff. But it's not just that....He knows how to explain it concisely so someone stupid like me can understand. Well done!