Timing belt noise 05 Lexus ES 330
03-05-16, 09:07 AM
#16
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: va
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was unaware of that recall (not intimately familiar with that narrow year range). But it sure sounds like it might result in a noise like that. That's still only one possibility. Here's the details I just found:
It would be pretty easy to localize the noise to the CS pulley. You remove the RF wheel, inner panel, and then you can run the car and check the pulley as a possible source. There's likely somebody somewhere who posted about this and the resulting noise somewhere - possibly a Toyota forum since there are more vehicles involved.
It would be pretty easy to localize the noise to the CS pulley. You remove the RF wheel, inner panel, and then you can run the car and check the pulley as a possible source. There's likely somebody somewhere who posted about this and the resulting noise somewhere - possibly a Toyota forum since there are more vehicles involved.
03-07-16, 06:47 PM
#17
Lexus Champion
I doubt the harmonic balancer recall should have anything to do with that noise.
The recall was for the balancer separating, i.e. the inside pulley from the outside belt guides. It wouldn't cause a rattling/grinding sound seen here.
I'm still living with the noise on my car...
The recall was for the balancer separating, i.e. the inside pulley from the outside belt guides. It wouldn't cause a rattling/grinding sound seen here.
I'm still living with the noise on my car...
03-09-16, 07:19 AM
#18
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: va
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I doubt the harmonic balancer recall should have anything to do with that noise.
The recall was for the balancer separating, i.e. the inside pulley from the outside belt guides. It wouldn't cause a rattling/grinding sound seen here.
I'm still living with the noise on my car...
The recall was for the balancer separating, i.e. the inside pulley from the outside belt guides. It wouldn't cause a rattling/grinding sound seen here.
I'm still living with the noise on my car...
03-09-16, 04:27 PM
#19
Does your keyboard have a period? 
Anyway I had what sounds like the same issue it turned out to be the timing belt itself, I tried a Mitsuboshi and also a genuine Toyota the noise persisted. I solved it by installing the Dayco 95257 timing belt which turned out to be a really nice belt, very soft and pliable rubber.
The noise does sound like metal on metal but it's not, it is a combination of the metal cam gears and rubber which causes a harmonic reaction. I have read that replacing the cam gears can fix the problem but I didn't go that route.
Anyway I had what sounds like the same issue it turned out to be the timing belt itself, I tried a Mitsuboshi and also a genuine Toyota the noise persisted. I solved it by installing the Dayco 95257 timing belt which turned out to be a really nice belt, very soft and pliable rubber.The noise does sound like metal on metal but it's not, it is a combination of the metal cam gears and rubber which causes a harmonic reaction. I have read that replacing the cam gears can fix the problem but I didn't go that route.
03-09-16, 05:12 PM
#20
Lexus Champion
^^^ Good info thanks for that. I cleaned the cam gears with a stiff nylon brush but I can't rule out the possibility that there was belt residue remaining. The idler and tensioner pulleys were new. I have a Camry with the same noise that I'll be doing a timing belt on in the next few weeks I'll clean the gears up on the bench grinder using a soft wire wheel.
I'll take a vid of the engine running before/after the job.
I'll take a vid of the engine running before/after the job.
03-09-16, 05:57 PM
#21
I had this noise at 45k on my new timing belt. I removed the top cover, started the car and the top idler was making a loud rubbing noise. I replaced the top idler (without having to remove the bottom half, etc.) buy using clips on the belt to cam sprockets plus removing the hydraulic tensioner). The old idler spun ok but it had zero grease in it. I could shake the bearing and hear the ***** rattle. The new idler had grease in it. What I am curious about is, the timing covers have gaskets to seal it in when secure. When I removed the top one, the gasket was broken. How sensitive are these bearings + water pump seal to external grit?
03-09-16, 06:26 PM
#22
Lexus Champion
Sealed bearing so not that big of a deal short term, long term it could shorten bearing life.
03-09-16, 07:22 PM
#23
Lexus Champion
Yes I do.
It still doesn't make sense to me how rubber dust could cause a metal on metal noise. But good info, next time I change the TB (if so) I'll give the gears and pulleys a good cleaning before replacing the belt.
For now since I can't hear it from inside the car (and its probably not something about to fail) I'll leave it as is.
I spoke with a Lexus tech and he confirms the above. Said the noise is from accumulation of old belt material on the cam sprockets and idlers. Common in cars that have had the belt changed. He said the cam sprockets should be cleaned with a wire brush to remove the material before installing the new belt. And the idlers wiped clean.
For now since I can't hear it from inside the car (and its probably not something about to fail) I'll leave it as is.
03-09-16, 07:32 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
It's not dust the rubber fuses to the metal. But I'm skeptical it is only that I think it is a combination of the type of rubber and the properties of the cam gears. Either way I solved the problem so I'm happy.
03-09-16, 08:22 PM
#25
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: va
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03-09-16, 09:24 PM
#26
Lexus Champion
I'm not going to repeat myself read the thread.
04-13-16, 06:25 PM
#27
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: va
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
04-29-16, 05:16 PM
#28
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: va
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://youtu.be/45tl0elxlkk ps: And i know you shouldn't do this but out of curiosity my mechanic sprayed a little sea foam lubricant into timing belt area under the cover and the noise disappeared for about 2 days weird
does anybody know what this noise is please tell me im losing sleep over this smh
04-29-16, 05:27 PM
#29
Lexus Champion
It has already been stated several times I guess you simply don't want to accept the explanation. Look at post #19 for example.
05-05-16, 07:55 PM
#30
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: va
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So I finally took my car to the 3rd shop and they told me after checking over the timing belt it was in good condition and also had good tension, but that the actual timing belt itself is causing the noise and they concluded that belief by putting just a little bit of belt dressing onto the belt and the sound vanished immediately they said. Is around 270 a reasonable price to change just the timing belt, parts and labor