Lex98

Does anybody know what could possibly be wrong with my 98 LS400. When I crank it in the morning, there is a whinning noise coming from the engine. When I put it in reverse, the whinning slows up. When I put it in drive, I don't hear it at all. DO I have some kind of bearing going bad? THe car has only 87,000 miles on it.

trukn1

Not quite sure what you are rfeferring to. Need to be a lil more specific such as where you think you are hearing the noise with the hood up. Could be a number of things. I would say, just a guess based off of the mileage and age of the car, you have what is referred to as a clutch fan that is starting to go bad. The bearings in the pulley are not far from seizing. This is a fairly common item that does fail on this car nearing that mileage. You will have to have this replaced, and since you are already down there and have alot of the car broken open, you may as well change out the Timing belt and water pump, as you are coming due. If you are mechanically inclined, you can save yourself some money by doing yourself, elsewise I would find a reputable shop to do the work(be prepared to shell out some bucks tho,, will still be cheaper than the dealership). You can do a search using the key words for just about anything you have questions on concerning your car, as it may have,and most definately has, been discussed here on many occasions before.

Welcome to the forums as well.

Lex98

THank you. The Timing belt and water pump was replaced at 72,000 due to the age of the car. I don't want anything seizing up but it does sound like a bearing issue.

NEcoastie

I would also check your power steering fluid... See if you have any leaks... I had the same problem but I didn't join this site till it was too late.. Power steering leak, fried my alternator.. Had to replace alt, pump and ps hose... Usually happens round 100 k miles...

Lex98

I took it to the Lexus dealership today and they sprayed something on the belt and I can't hear it anymore. Let's just see.

fixmiester

Obviously it must have been some of that " Reverse gear special belt dressing" they sell only at dealerships.

Lex98

I cranked it this morning, no noise. Drove it 122 miles, no noise. It rides and sounds like a Lexus. I think everything is okay.

rome99LS

Still sounds suspect, just keep close attention to it.

trukn1

Could very well have been a loose belt as well. Just keep an eye on it, and keep in mind what I said above, as that too is a common item.

Lex98

Well, the noise returned to day which makes me think it's a dry drive belt that needs replacing. It is not as loud but it's back so that means that whatever they sprayed lasted a little while. If I get a new drive belt on and it stops then we know it was minor.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

its more likely a pulley than just the drive belt.

Lex98

But it gets quiet after the car warms up a while. And when I put it in drive, it goes away.

trukn1

You can replace the drive belt yourself, if you are handy with tools. This will be a cheap check item and it probably needs one anyway. As we have mentioned before, pulleys on this car are common to seize, and this may be your first warning sign. Remember,, there is no such thing as a "miracle in a can."