IS350 Engine "Fluttering" Noise - What would cause this?
01-09-16, 06:34 PM
#16
Sorry my last post was in the works when you posted...
Cause of a spun bearing can vary. Typically it's something that causes the bearing to become misshapen in some way...typically lack of viscosity and increased temperatures. For instance...little or no oil on that bearing would increase friction, changing the shape and fit of that bearing during operation, thus perpetuating itself into further friction...until the precise bearing clearance around the crankshaft becomes not existing and the bearing "grabs" onto the crank and rotates...then jams for a brief moment and the engines power and momentum breaks it free again...at this point the engine has sustain the damage and it's downhill from there. The bearing is now set to wear away quickly from all the debree and crankshaft damage. Car will still run...but will be noisy and will eventually breakdown as the crankshaft will wear out the bearing completely then you connecting rod will break...and most likely destroy the engine block with a broken piston.
Under normal operation with no mods and regular oil and oil filter changes this should never happen. If you and the previous owner have been decent with maintenance then I am unsure of what could've cause this. Dirt in the oil could cause wear an perhaps heat up and spin the bearing. Driving at really high RPM's for long durations could heat up the bearings...usually cars that have increased horsepower have this happen a lot due to improper engine work and bearings.
What's the milage of the vehicle? I would say Lexus will not be flipping the bill for this. But I will add it's a great project over the winter to rebuild the engine...and it will be as good as new when you're done.
I'm glad you're getting a second opinion. Even a third if you want...never hurts and there is other possible causes of your symptoms.
Best of luck friend. I'll cross my fingers for you. And please keep us posted.
PS...don't beat yourself up...if it still runs than you're okay...piston is still attached and everything. The damage was already done when the shavings are in the oil... so you haven't really lost anything from driving it.
Cause of a spun bearing can vary. Typically it's something that causes the bearing to become misshapen in some way...typically lack of viscosity and increased temperatures. For instance...little or no oil on that bearing would increase friction, changing the shape and fit of that bearing during operation, thus perpetuating itself into further friction...until the precise bearing clearance around the crankshaft becomes not existing and the bearing "grabs" onto the crank and rotates...then jams for a brief moment and the engines power and momentum breaks it free again...at this point the engine has sustain the damage and it's downhill from there. The bearing is now set to wear away quickly from all the debree and crankshaft damage. Car will still run...but will be noisy and will eventually breakdown as the crankshaft will wear out the bearing completely then you connecting rod will break...and most likely destroy the engine block with a broken piston.
Under normal operation with no mods and regular oil and oil filter changes this should never happen. If you and the previous owner have been decent with maintenance then I am unsure of what could've cause this. Dirt in the oil could cause wear an perhaps heat up and spin the bearing. Driving at really high RPM's for long durations could heat up the bearings...usually cars that have increased horsepower have this happen a lot due to improper engine work and bearings.
What's the milage of the vehicle? I would say Lexus will not be flipping the bill for this. But I will add it's a great project over the winter to rebuild the engine...and it will be as good as new when you're done.
I'm glad you're getting a second opinion. Even a third if you want...never hurts and there is other possible causes of your symptoms.
Best of luck friend. I'll cross my fingers for you. And please keep us posted.
PS...don't beat yourself up...if it still runs than you're okay...piston is still attached and everything. The damage was already done when the shavings are in the oil... so you haven't really lost anything from driving it.
01-09-16, 06:38 PM
#17
Lexus Test Driver
You might consider selling or trading the car in now, while it's running. Engine repair is going to cost a significant portion of the value of this car and it's better just to dump it while it's still alive.
01-10-16, 07:14 PM
#23
Any suggestions where I may start looking? I actually contacted Japanese Classics in VA just for a random inquiry, they haven't gotten back to me yet.
01-10-16, 09:13 PM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Like I said, he's looking at around $3,000 for an engine. Feel free to show sub 80,000, or even 100,000, mile engines for under $1,500, though. It'll be helpful for the OP.
01-10-16, 09:18 PM
#26
Lexus Test Driver
http://www.enginehaus.com/engines/20...vt-i-v6-engine
01-10-16, 09:19 PM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
01-10-16, 09:47 PM
#28
Your best bet for better pricing would be to contact local wrecker yards and see if they have low-mileage IS350 that you can pull the engine from. Realistically, though, you're looking at what I told you. What I would do is find out how much the engine rebuild will cost you. Why bother with a used engine if getting a freshly-built one would cost you the same?
http://www.enginehaus.com/engines/20...vt-i-v6-engine
http://www.enginehaus.com/engines/20...vt-i-v6-engine
But I have an entire car to harvest/part out for parts, no? :P
01-10-16, 10:05 PM
#29
Lexus Test Driver
Certainly, but there's really no need. It's not like the IS is an unreliable car and there aren't very many parts you'd need to pull off.
01-10-16, 10:16 PM
#30
Plus I need new freaking sun visors, those light switches are so damn unreliable X_X.
In any case I'm taking the car to a Lexus dealer later this week - will update with a final diagnosis when I hear from them.
Thanks again to everyone who's provided insight
