Starting clunk/noise at end of start cycle

[fredu Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fredu]

Hi I am new to this forum, this is my first post. Although I have been reading with interest on this forum for many months prior to my recent purchase of a new 2.8 GXL auto Prado.
The issue I have is occurring mainly from cold starts (probably 80% to 90% of the time) but happens occasionally from warm starts. The best I can this explain this noise is that it occurs at the very end of the start cycle and it sort of sounds/feel like a crook engine mount or as if a rubber mount has let go along the exhaust system. Apart from being very audible it can also be felt through the brake pedal. This clunk only happens during starting and otherwise the engine runs very smoothly.
I have had my Toyota dealer look into this and they put it down to the active engine mounts. I am keen to learn if anyone else has experienced this issue with their 2.8 Prado's.
Thanks for now and look forward to any comments.

[lordsword Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lordsword]

Sounds real similar to what I've experienced with my 2014 GXL since the start. Only does it sometimes and most usually from a cold start.
Sort of like a single knock once the ignition sequence ends and the engine just starts its kick over?
Can feel it though the cloth pedal as you've mentioned (I've got a manual). And also as you mentioned, the car always runs smoothly with everything else.
Was going to let it slide but hopefully isn't anything too major...

[Piratepete Member Find all posts View Profile Close Piratepete]

Check thread re the tail shaft clunk. This might be your problem. I had my tail shaft replaced under warranty as the clunk was identified by Toyota as an issue. I only picked this up from reading Pradopoint. If you tell the dealer, they will just re grease the shaft. My local dealer got the Toyota bulletin out and told me that Toyota say on the bulletin that if the customer complains, just grease the shaft. If the customer says they want a new tail shaft, then and only then will they replace it.

What you describe is what I had occurring after 5000km from new. Now have 53000km on clock and never had an issue since.

Good luck

[Ashraf Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ashraf]

Hello All

I am experiencing the same, I just bought a new 2016 June 2.8 TD GXL Prado last month after 1500 KM it started giving me this clunking noise, juts been to my dealer and advised that they have this in every Prado and if I am concern about this they are going to report to Toyota and let Toyota come up with solution.
which I totally agree with, but bit disappointed with the most trusted car in the world.

[Lski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lski]

Yep my 2.8 does it too. Randomly on cold start up and only ever one knock. I thought it may have been my bull bar or something knocking but its sounding like it might be common...

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

hi Fredu,

I have a 2016 2.8l GD auto prado, and I have NEVER ever heard a clunk or felt a clunk during start up. If the car is stationary I believe its unlikely to be the previous tail shaft issue...and I test drove a few prados before I purchased this one, and have never heard or felt what you describe, and no I don't think it is normal...this is my second Prado, and I am very much 'in tune" with engine and vehicle noises and rattles, what you describe is not what I am experiencing..it may be an exhaust or engine mount..but I wouldn't ignore it and I would try to isolate the noise as best you can. LEt uus know what else you discover. Good luck.

[jmills Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jmills]

Hi All. Picked my 2016 TD GXL today and it does this too. Only when started after being at rest for 30 min or so. Also engine idle fluctuates between 1500 to 1800 when stationary.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Hi All. Picked my 2016 TD GXL today and it does this too. Only when started after being at rest for 30 min or so. Also engine idle fluctuates between 1500 to 1800 when stationary.

"Idle" fluctuates between 1500 and 1800"...that's not idle, that's revving ...that's around the revs my car sits at when I'm doing 100 km/hr in 5th or 6th gear...,.something is wrong if it idles at those revs.

[jmills Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jmills]

"Idle" fluctuates between 1500 and 1800"...that's not idle, that's revving ...that's around the revs my car sits at when I'm doing 100 km/hr in 5th or 6th gear...,.something is wrong if it idles at those revs.

My bad, between 500 to 800

[jmills Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jmills]

Has anyone had this resolved at dealer?

[fredu Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fredu]

Well my 2016 2.8 auto Prado has just past 20,000 kilometers and still suffers/exhibits same characteristics as my original post.

Just been in the shop/dealer for the second 6 monthly service and reported the issue at this service as I have done on previous occasions.
The active engine mounts sort of cop some attention and I am told that there was no fault found when tested.

Usually I have discussion about this issue with the service center rep (previous visits) and I am none the wiser after.
However during this last service I was able to chat with whom I think was a senior hands on guy who was able to confirm that this condition on start up happens on the majority of the 2.8 Prados that go through their service center, and in his opinion this characteristic is not a fault or anything untoward.

I came away slightly more confidant that it was not just my vehicle doing this and that maybe this is inherent in the way the 2.8 starts.
I have been under vehicle various times looking for possible lack of clearance , checking exhaust mounts etc. etc. but cannot find anything wrong.

Would be interesting to know if this issue is actually confirmed by Toyota that it is a normal starting characteristic, although it is pretty ordinary to say the least.