[sonick]

Originally Posted by underscore

Mine sometimes makes a grinding noise on startup that I thought sounded like the starter was staying engaged but now I'm thinking it's this instead. It's super intermittent so hard to diagnose.

While trying to find more videos of the noise to compare I found this. These fixes seem pretty straightforward so it might be worth trying them before tearing it fully apart. Apparently there's a TSB for it too so you might be able to have Toyota cover it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfsIsMP9dHQ

Thanks, just watched this. Dunno how easy it would be to do the valve covers on a transverse V6 but at least doesn't require engine out. Might be a good second step after the oil change to test out. Fingers crossed.

That said, definitely sounds like something to do with lack of oil pressure. Could easily be an oil filter with a faulty anti drainback valve. Here's hoping...