vibration at idle problem
#106
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: FL
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Jaycee22, please keep me apprised of how your RX runs after the mounts are replaced. I am skeptical but hopeful for you. I did power brake my RX and saw very little, if any movement, from my engine. I did this several weeks ago, by myself and then also at the dealer. I changed my dog bone mount just to see if I could change the resonance. It changed nothing, and the old dog bone mount was in excellent condition.
Sorry it took so long to respond but I'm finally getting back to you with good news( at least from my end)!
I replaced my rear motor mount as well as my upper "dog bone" mount and my vibration at idle problem as completely vanished! ill tell you what, my rear motor mount was a big pain in the *** but at least now its fixed. I actually made a video to help out those who look at trying to replace it themselves since theres only one video on youtube currently but it doesn't go into good detail. Anyways ill try uploading it tonight and you can see how badly damaged my old mount was. When i was in idle it just allowed my motor to vibrate harshly which is what caused all my problems , including my knock sensors to go off!
I thought my knock sensors we bad, i replaced them, and the sensor was still going off
Anyways i figured out my chain reaction of problems which i fixed and it went a little like this...
My motor mounts were badly destroyed which caused a horrible vibration at idle, that vibration set off my knock sensors in my engine to go off which prompted a fault code to appear. That fault code issued my RX to go into "limp mode" which caused me to loose my 4th gear (overdrive).
I went through a full tune up to try and fix this issue i had and it turned out to be my damn motor mounts this whole time
Anyways i hope this information can help anyone down the road shed some light to possible problems they are having and what i went through.
@RX300Fun i hope you get your Rx running back in tip top shape buddy
#107
Jaycee22,
That is great news for you. Unfortunately, my mounts are in excellent condition. I actually replaced the dog bone and transmission mount with OEM parts just to see if I could change the vibration. Didn't affect it at all. I have tested the front active mount using a vacuum pump and gage as well. I believe it is good. The rear mount looks as good as the the other mounts that I replaced, however perhaps I should change it out. I would LOVE to see your video on how to do this as I see that it is really a PITA as you said.
My car is throwing no codes whatsoever. It simply vibrates and drones once it warms up, and is in gear at idle.
Think I should change the rear mount???
That is great news for you. Unfortunately, my mounts are in excellent condition. I actually replaced the dog bone and transmission mount with OEM parts just to see if I could change the vibration. Didn't affect it at all. I have tested the front active mount using a vacuum pump and gage as well. I believe it is good. The rear mount looks as good as the the other mounts that I replaced, however perhaps I should change it out. I would LOVE to see your video on how to do this as I see that it is really a PITA as you said.
My car is throwing no codes whatsoever. It simply vibrates and drones once it warms up, and is in gear at idle.
Think I should change the rear mount???
#108
Jaycee22
Well I followed your youtube video instructions to the letter - thank you for posting by the way. Unfortunately, even with a pry bar, I could not get enough travel to remove the mount. Still had about 1/2" to wrestle with and it wasn't going to budge any further. I was close, but not close enough. Had the old loose mount in my hand but just could not get it out. Put it all back together and will have my neighbor who is a Toyota service manager replace it. If this fails to correct the problem, I will be happily getting rid of the vehicle as I have wasted enough time and money on a 15 year old car. I have never seen such a prevariously positioned engine mount. What an engineering nightmare.
When I had the mount loose, I could tell that it was in good condition however. Not like they completely destroyed mounts that you and Hancock have. As I suspected all along, mounts are not my problem. But I will make one last attempt to have that mount changed as I already purchased the part.
Have had really good luck with my Audi's and VW's so will likely be trading RX for a Q5 or similar.
When I had the mount loose, I could tell that it was in good condition however. Not like they completely destroyed mounts that you and Hancock have. As I suspected all along, mounts are not my problem. But I will make one last attempt to have that mount changed as I already purchased the part.
Have had really good luck with my Audi's and VW's so will likely be trading RX for a Q5 or similar.
#109
Moderator
Well I followed your youtube video instructions to the letter - thank you for posting by the way. Unfortunately, even with a pry bar, I could not get enough travel to remove the mount. Still had about 1/2" to wrestle with and it wasn't going to budge any further. I was close, but not close enough. Had the old loose mount in my hand but just could not get it out. Put it all back together and will have my neighbor who is a Toyota service manager replace it. If this fails to correct the problem, I will be happily getting rid of the vehicle as I have wasted enough time and money on a 15 year old car. I have never seen such a prevariously positioned engine mount. What an engineering nightmare.
When I had the mount loose, I could tell that it was in good condition however. Not like they completely destroyed mounts that you and Hancock have. As I suspected all along, mounts are not my problem. But I will make one last attempt to have that mount changed as I already purchased the part.
Have had really good luck with my Audi's and VW's so will likely be trading RX for a Q5 or similar.
When I had the mount loose, I could tell that it was in good condition however. Not like they completely destroyed mounts that you and Hancock have. As I suspected all along, mounts are not my problem. But I will make one last attempt to have that mount changed as I already purchased the part.
Have had really good luck with my Audi's and VW's so will likely be trading RX for a Q5 or similar.
RX was not built from scratch. With emphasis on mpg and improved parts, service accessibility has been compromised.
Salim
#110
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: FL
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Well I followed your youtube video instructions to the letter - thank you for posting by the way. Unfortunately, even with a pry bar, I could not get enough travel to remove the mount. Still had about 1/2" to wrestle with and it wasn't going to budge any further. I was close, but not close enough. Had the old loose mount in my hand but just could not get it out. Put it all back together and will have my neighbor who is a Toyota service manager replace it. If this fails to correct the problem, I will be happily getting rid of the vehicle as I have wasted enough time and money on a 15 year old car. I have never seen such a prevariously positioned engine mount. What an engineering nightmare.
When I had the mount loose, I could tell that it was in good condition however. Not like they completely destroyed mounts that you and Hancock have. As I suspected all along, mounts are not my problem. But I will make one last attempt to have that mount changed as I already purchased the part.
Have had really good luck with my Audi's and VW's so will likely be trading RX for a Q5 or similar.
When I had the mount loose, I could tell that it was in good condition however. Not like they completely destroyed mounts that you and Hancock have. As I suspected all along, mounts are not my problem. But I will make one last attempt to have that mount changed as I already purchased the part.
Have had really good luck with my Audi's and VW's so will likely be trading RX for a Q5 or similar.
#111
Intermediate
Didn't or doesn't VW have a problem with oil sludging issues? And a long history of electrical gremlins? I wouldnt use either of those brands as a mile-marker on serviceability or longevity, never mind affordable serviceability. I love when people do that. You rip on the rx300 because you cant figure out how to replace a motor mount. And you claim to be a engineer. A pampered electrical engineer no doubt. Did you think of loosening a few other mounts before you gave up. You do realize as an engineer, the mounts are there to keep thr motor from moving. So you claim be be smarter than all the engineers who designed the Lexus rx300. You'd better contact Lexus. Im sure the are looking for your genius to keep them in top spot at JD Powers.
Just be honest and say you are looking for a reason to sell moms Lexus and you found one. Not everyone is meant to drive an SUV.
Here is a non-commercial website you can compare vehicles. I think you will find VW doesnt get much love.
www.carsurvey.org
Just be honest and say you are looking for a reason to sell moms Lexus and you found one. Not everyone is meant to drive an SUV.
Here is a non-commercial website you can compare vehicles. I think you will find VW doesnt get much love.
www.carsurvey.org
#112
Moderator
The other day I met some one who parted with his RX as there was some noise source in RX and it drove him batty.
Nothing is perfect and RX is not the vehicle for every one. Come to think of it you can pick any vehicle and they will fall short [performance, comfort, cost of upkeep, ease of service, price etc].
RX300fun had a bad experience with his RX. Lets take some hurt out by CL members being nice to him.
Salim
Nothing is perfect and RX is not the vehicle for every one. Come to think of it you can pick any vehicle and they will fall short [performance, comfort, cost of upkeep, ease of service, price etc].
RX300fun had a bad experience with his RX. Lets take some hurt out by CL members being nice to him.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; 06-20-16 at 05:38 AM. Reason: Better choice of words
#113
Salim,
I appreciate your professionalism with your response. I don't understand the overtones of hostility from others. I guess some people just got up on the wrong side of the bed?
I am not trashing the Lexus brand by any means. But I am frustrated that a well cared for car with 90K original miles has a problem that apparently cannot be fixed. You can see the effort I am putting into this car to try to repair it, and keep it. By the way I have owned 2 ES300's, a Corolla, and a Camry in the past - so I have been very loyal to the brand. The RX was my mother's car. I want to keep it running for both practical and sentimental reasons.
I called a high volume dealer in Atlanta, who remembers when this car was launched. He admitted that he knew of the symptoms. He also said they never figured out what the fix was. Nor did they know why some of the cars did this versus others. He surmised that is could very well be my transmission acting up. I appreciated his honesty as he sounded like a good tech that had wrenched on many of these cars.
If both a Lexus dealer and a Toyota dealer cannot figure it out, what chance to do I have? I have even called Lexus corporate but they are nor help whatsoever. I am an engineer and asked to speak to one of their engineers to simply get guidance. No luck.
So, I will have Toyota change out the rear mount because it is very difficult to do as Jaycee said (my hat is off to you my friend!). And take it from there.
And yes, VW has had sludging issues (as does Toyota - even the RX). They were one of the first to launch direct injected engines and the valves, in these designs, are no longer washed by fuel flow - hence the carbon buildup. Pretty much all new DI engines are doing this. If you own a new car, there is no escape from the problem. But I have had very good reliability from VW/Audi - and of course - great performance. Lexus is a different kind of quality - but from an engineering perspective, I still give the nod to VW/Audi for pushing the innovation envelope.
I appreciate your professionalism with your response. I don't understand the overtones of hostility from others. I guess some people just got up on the wrong side of the bed?
I am not trashing the Lexus brand by any means. But I am frustrated that a well cared for car with 90K original miles has a problem that apparently cannot be fixed. You can see the effort I am putting into this car to try to repair it, and keep it. By the way I have owned 2 ES300's, a Corolla, and a Camry in the past - so I have been very loyal to the brand. The RX was my mother's car. I want to keep it running for both practical and sentimental reasons.
I called a high volume dealer in Atlanta, who remembers when this car was launched. He admitted that he knew of the symptoms. He also said they never figured out what the fix was. Nor did they know why some of the cars did this versus others. He surmised that is could very well be my transmission acting up. I appreciated his honesty as he sounded like a good tech that had wrenched on many of these cars.
If both a Lexus dealer and a Toyota dealer cannot figure it out, what chance to do I have? I have even called Lexus corporate but they are nor help whatsoever. I am an engineer and asked to speak to one of their engineers to simply get guidance. No luck.
So, I will have Toyota change out the rear mount because it is very difficult to do as Jaycee said (my hat is off to you my friend!). And take it from there.
And yes, VW has had sludging issues (as does Toyota - even the RX). They were one of the first to launch direct injected engines and the valves, in these designs, are no longer washed by fuel flow - hence the carbon buildup. Pretty much all new DI engines are doing this. If you own a new car, there is no escape from the problem. But I have had very good reliability from VW/Audi - and of course - great performance. Lexus is a different kind of quality - but from an engineering perspective, I still give the nod to VW/Audi for pushing the innovation envelope.
#114
Driver School Candidate
Rattling noise at idle in Drive
We are on a long trip to Florida. Two days ago a rattling noise started in my 2011 RX350. The noise went away in neutral, much like other comments here.
I found that the heat shield over the muffler has broken loose from the front bolt that holds it to the chassis. I have fixed that and the RX is nice and quiet now.
Hope this is helpful,
George Brandon
I found that the heat shield over the muffler has broken loose from the front bolt that holds it to the chassis. I have fixed that and the RX is nice and quiet now.
Hope this is helpful,
George Brandon
#115
Driver School Candidate
I have this low frequency sound on idle.On drive , rear or neutral is the same.I changed all motor mounts with OEM ,no change.IAC is cleaned but no change.Now i ordered new oem IAC and will see.May be driveshaft to rear diff has bad bearing mounts.It's crazy.Tranny is fully rebuild , but converters is not touched.
What's wrong with this car......
What's wrong with this car......
#116
Driver School Candidate
Now i changed all 4 engine mounts with OEM ones.I changed IAC valve with OEM one and low idle rpm and sound is still there.It's keeping around 600-700rpm on idle.If it keeps 750 there is no bad sound.My Maf is cleaned it's showing 3mg/s on idle.Is this normal ?
#117
Driver School Candidate
Our RX has recenlty picked up the weird vibration at idle issue that I've seen posted about several times on this board. Essentially, there's a strange vibration in the car when I come to a stop in drive. The vibration completely disappears if I shift to Neutral or Park.
I've searched and found several threads on this topic but haven't been able to ascertain whether anyone has ever successfully diagnosed this issue and hopefully fixed it.
Can you help?
I've searched and found several threads on this topic but haven't been able to ascertain whether anyone has ever successfully diagnosed this issue and hopefully fixed it.
Can you help?
#118
Driver School Candidate
Bought my 2002 rx300, 145,000 miles. AWD October 2019.(side note).....live in Charlotte, NC had to drive to Elizabethton , TN because its hard to find interior with black leather....I hate that tan crap). Anyway...... I noticed low resonance/vibration in drive at a stop. Its intermittent. At times i dont even feel the car is running. I thought this was normal. Coming from a 93 honda accord. i'm used to vibrations especially in steering wheel. Basically the only issues i had with this RX is Check Engine Light. After knock sensors and harness, vaper hose at charcoal canister, maf sensor, O2 sensor at CAT, and upper and lower A/F sensor I conquered the CEL problematic issue with the RX. And it recently passed inspection. DIdnt have to get a waiver this year. Yay!
I agree with all the previous posts about the low vibration issue. You would think being a "luxury" brand the brainy engineers wouldnt have over look this but it happens. I dont think anyone has really come up with a solution. Good luck
I agree with all the previous posts about the low vibration issue. You would think being a "luxury" brand the brainy engineers wouldnt have over look this but it happens. I dont think anyone has really come up with a solution. Good luck
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Margate330 (11-05-20)
#119
Lexus Test Driver
I chased a vibration issue at idle for a year that wasn't there when I bought my car.
As I tightened everything up things got better but it never went away.
Things that contributed to the vibration was a bad strut & old engne mounts & uneven flow from fuel injectors, etc, etc but the vbration was still there just not as bad.
In the end here is what I found- carboned up heads @ 151k miles and randomly sticking VVT's.
I did Seafoam in the intake treatment- the one on youtube that makes lots of smoke- and 2 Seafoam in the oil treatments and it helped tremendously.
#120
Intermediate
Our RX has recenlty picked up the weird vibration at idle issue that I've seen posted about several times on this board. Essentially, there's a strange vibration in the car when I come to a stop in drive. The vibration completely disappears if I shift to Neutral or Park.
I've searched and found several threads on this topic but haven't been able to ascertain whether anyone has ever successfully diagnosed this issue and hopefully fixed it.
Can you help?
I've searched and found several threads on this topic but haven't been able to ascertain whether anyone has ever successfully diagnosed this issue and hopefully fixed it.
Can you help?
I also have an AWD. My car has been having the same problem. I have visited the dealer many times but at the end they could not fix the problem. they just keep replacing parts of the muffler. I really do not think that they care if it gets fixed or not. I realized that if they do not know how the correct a problem, they will tell you that that is the way the car is suppose to be. I think we should all do something to let lexus know we are not going to get ignored. we as consumers have a right to a quality car. Why should we figure out what is wrong with the car ? that is their job.
how did you make out with this? my car has 181, but it didnt do this when i first got it at 135. the AWD isnt working because of the ABS , the vibration is a 4 on a scale of 10, and only when at a stop light, etc. shift into park or drive and its gone. this leads me to believe it has something to do with drive train, the idle is fine.
any luck with diagnosis?
Last edited by salimshah; 12-18-20 at 08:49 PM. Reason: Same issue.