2000 Lexus ES300 Engine Clickity Clack
#1
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2000 Lexus ES300 Engine Clickity Clack
For about 20k miles I have heard this noise. Opinions from the experts range from Valves to Lifters to Injectors. One reputable 3rd party shop said it was the injectors and said to ignore the noise. The fact of the matter is this: I have a stethoscope I use to determine where noise is coming from, and when I place it everywhere on both valve covers, there is minimal noise - normal sounding valvetrain stuff. Place it on any ONE of the injectors, and BOOM, the tick nearly blows my eardrums out.
Wish I had a dime for every fuel injector cleaner I put in the tank, and have used the engine flush along with Rislone treatment to no avail. I bought the car at 50k miles 4 1/2 years ago and did not have the service history (not even on Lexus Drivers) so who knows, but the engine was silent back then.
Anyone have this condition as well? Curious as to you're all's take on this. I feel like the motor is just gonna tank out on me at any time. Video link below says it all...
Wish I had a dime for every fuel injector cleaner I put in the tank, and have used the engine flush along with Rislone treatment to no avail. I bought the car at 50k miles 4 1/2 years ago and did not have the service history (not even on Lexus Drivers) so who knows, but the engine was silent back then.
Anyone have this condition as well? Curious as to you're all's take on this. I feel like the motor is just gonna tank out on me at any time. Video link below says it all...
#2
I have a ticking issue as well, it seems to have diminished a little when I added some marvel mystery oil to the crankcase. I also put some I the gas tank so it could be injectors like you said I haven't given it the stethoscope treatment but I was considering maybe trying a higher viscosity oil, hopefully someone else has successfully resolved this issue and can chime in. Mine is pretty much only at idle, does yours disappear when the revs are upped?
#3
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Mine is there all the time - as the engine revs the ticks keep time with the engine. I've not used Marvel, but I did a flush with Motor Medic Motor Flush a while back.
#4
The issue of mine being idle only is what leads me to believe it's an oiling issue. If I slghtly raise the revs it's gone. Too bad the e throttle does not allow for idle adjustments, if it did I would just raise the idle 100 to 200 rpm. I wonder if techstream allows idle adjustment?
#5
does the tick rev with your engine? if so than I believe its a lifter, my mitsubishi sounds like that when lifters need servicing, but toyota lifters are a bit different so I'm not too sure..
my mom's 95 es300 made that noise when one of the vsv solenoids went bad (egr to be exact)
take the cover off, and get a longish screwdriver, and put your ear on the handle, i've used that trick on a few cars, cause the stethoscope makes everything sound loud
my mom's 95 es300 made that noise when one of the vsv solenoids went bad (egr to be exact)
take the cover off, and get a longish screwdriver, and put your ear on the handle, i've used that trick on a few cars, cause the stethoscope makes everything sound loud
#6
I figure it's something to do with my lifters I just don't want to go digging in because the rear bank is going to be a pain. I thought since it is only at idle maybe my oil pressure is low at such low rpms which led me to think maybe a higher viscosity oil would allow the oil to stay where it needs to be a little longer under the low pressure condition. All speculation on my part however.
After a quick search I found that techstream will not allow you to adjust idle speed, darn. I suppose I will try cleaning my throttle body next as I have already cleaned my maf sensor fairly recently.
After a quick search I found that techstream will not allow you to adjust idle speed, darn. I suppose I will try cleaning my throttle body next as I have already cleaned my maf sensor fairly recently.
Last edited by JetsonES; 11-07-15 at 02:41 PM.
#7
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In my case I find it hard to believe it's anything underneath the valve covers because the sound just isn't coming from there. No repair shop has ever wanted to really dig in and find out what it is. I honestly suspect an injector based on what I hear and where. Either way, I'm gonna run this one to as many miles as I can.
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#8
It could very well be. I know you can get them rebuilt, matched and flow tested for $22 bucks each here but that would also mean some down time.http://www.witchhunter.com/
A quick search on rockauto shows remanufactured units as low as $38 with other units going up to $150 each. Denso is at $75 which is probably the brand I'd go for. O rings are trivial in cost but a necessity to replace.
As long as it's not throwing lean codes, running poorly, or using excessive gas you can probably use it as is if the noise doesn't make you crazy, almost makes it sound like a diesel.
You might want to search for a place near you that can clean them up/rebuild them for you to minimize downtime or just opt for the rebuilt units at rockauto, they are a pretty simple device and are probably just crusted up. The bottles of cleaner can only do so much.
A quick search on rockauto shows remanufactured units as low as $38 with other units going up to $150 each. Denso is at $75 which is probably the brand I'd go for. O rings are trivial in cost but a necessity to replace.
As long as it's not throwing lean codes, running poorly, or using excessive gas you can probably use it as is if the noise doesn't make you crazy, almost makes it sound like a diesel.
You might want to search for a place near you that can clean them up/rebuild them for you to minimize downtime or just opt for the rebuilt units at rockauto, they are a pretty simple device and are probably just crusted up. The bottles of cleaner can only do so much.
#9
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Thanks for the info I knew there were some options out there for the injectors. The one issue is that when I touch the stethoscope to each injector, they are equally loud, but since there is only one ticking sound I know it's only one injector but impossible to tell which one at this point. At this point there are no codes pointing to fuel injection problems and the car still runs perfectly often exceeds the rated 26mpg rating on the highway. The only codes I'm dealing with now are evap codes, where it appears I may have to replace the charcoal canister
#12
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Thanks for the info I knew there were some options out there for the injectors. The one issue is that when I touch the stethoscope to each injector, they are equally loud, but since there is only one ticking sound I know it's only one injector but impossible to tell which one at this point. At this point there are no codes pointing to fuel injection problems and the car still runs perfectly often exceeds the rated 26mpg rating on the highway. The only codes I'm dealing with now are evap codes, where it appears I may have to replace the charcoal canister
I read on different vehicle board that his injectors where very loud and he found a kink in the fuel return line. Once corrected the noise went away.
#14
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Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System (P0440)
Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge Flow (P0441)
EVAP Vent Solenoid Valve Control System (P0446)
#15
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Thread Starter
does the tick rev with your engine? if so than I believe its a lifter, my mitsubishi sounds like that when lifters need servicing, but toyota lifters are a bit different so I'm not too sure..
my mom's 95 es300 made that noise when one of the vsv solenoids went bad (egr to be exact)
take the cover off, and get a longish screwdriver, and put your ear on the handle, i've used that trick on a few cars, cause the stethoscope makes everything sound loud
my mom's 95 es300 made that noise when one of the vsv solenoids went bad (egr to be exact)
take the cover off, and get a longish screwdriver, and put your ear on the handle, i've used that trick on a few cars, cause the stethoscope makes everything sound loud