Hello everyone. Recently I noticed that there has been excessive squeaking on my RX300. It is a 2001 RX300 2wd with about 122,000 miles. I changed all the belts at about 90,000 miles along with the spark plugs and everything else in the manual. Now my problem is this: whenever I have my heater running, I notice that whenever it needs to draw more air...it would turn the fans on...and whenever the fans turn on, I notice that there is some squeaking noise. It is quite loud; sounds like timing belt going bad. The reason I know the sound is from the fans is because one day I just left the heater on and popped the hood, and waited for the noise. The noise started when my fans started spinning. Would anyone know what problem this is? Is there some belt that drives the fans that needs to be maintained? Thanks in advance.

 

I guess you are talking about the fan behind radiator. That should be an electrical fan on RX [transverse engine and the belt driven fan robbed too much of power].

If this is the fan, it has very little to do with heater ON in cabin. It has more to do with coolant temperature and AC on. Be careful sticking your hand in there as it may turn on with engine off {I have not heard it come on with engine off, but on some cars you can hear the cooling fan hum even when off, in Texas summer. Better safe then sorry**. Check for free movement of blades. Even blocked radiator may produce noise, when fan tries to suck in air. If nothing is obvious, it might be the bearings of the fan or the motor brushes.

Salim

 

Thanks Salim, yes I'm talking about the fans behind the radiator. So it's more of an issue with my AC and coolant temp.? Does this mean I should consider flushing/changing my coolant?

 

The condition of coolant will not impact the squeaking fan.

Look for :
Air blockage (something that prevents good air flow, loading on fan.
Fan blades touching something.
fan motor bearings ... internal to the motor (spin by hand)
fan brushes ... internal to the motor (spin by hand).

Salim