i have a 2001 rx300. there is a squealing sound from under the hood. it doesn't make the noise all the time and sometimes it will stop after a long drive. my guess is that it is the tensioner or the alternator making the squeal. anyone have any ideas? thanks.

 

Our 99 does it too. The dealer keeps "lubing it", but that does not seem to fix the problem. It is either the alt belt or the A/C belt. I am leaning towards the A/C as it seems worse when the A/C is on. Then again, your alt will be stressed a bit more with your A/C on, so it could be either.

Also, when it rains out, we sometimes get a very loud squeal going through some water when the car first gets moving. My guess is that it is the same belt and a tensioner is loose.

 

I have a 2000 RX300 and I had the same problem too. I brought it down to the dealership and they were able to repair it for me free of charge because it was still under warranty at that time. They said that it was the A/C belt and they changed the belt. They said that to prevent this problem from happening again, always turn on or off your a/c when your car is completely stopped and not moving, (such as at a stop sign or a red light). and not when it is moving.

 

i would say its the serpentine belt i just replaced on in my gs the dealer wants 100 bux but you can get one from the auto parts store for around 20 bux