Help diagnosing engine noise/problem
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2014
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From: FL
Help diagnosing engine noise/problem
What's up ya'll?
2002 RX300 with about 140k miles. Tranny has not been replaced.
when cold, engine makes a very loud whine sound that sounds very similar to a bad power steering pump but the sound is coming from the right side of the engine compartment. and there are no accessories there. Sounds like its coming from just beneath the throttle body.
As the engine warms up the sound decreases in loudness or becomes less noticeable. The "whining" increases/decreases with frequency as the engine revs up and drops when the RPM drops as well. the sound is present whether the transmission is in gear, park or neutral.
So you can be driving at say 30mph, throw it in neutral and let rpms drop to idle and the intensity of the sound also drops. Completely associated with engine RPM.
A mechanic we brought it to says its the planetary gear in the transmission but I'm dubious. Thought Id ask the experts!
2002 RX300 with about 140k miles. Tranny has not been replaced.
when cold, engine makes a very loud whine sound that sounds very similar to a bad power steering pump but the sound is coming from the right side of the engine compartment. and there are no accessories there. Sounds like its coming from just beneath the throttle body.
As the engine warms up the sound decreases in loudness or becomes less noticeable. The "whining" increases/decreases with frequency as the engine revs up and drops when the RPM drops as well. the sound is present whether the transmission is in gear, park or neutral.
So you can be driving at say 30mph, throw it in neutral and let rpms drop to idle and the intensity of the sound also drops. Completely associated with engine RPM.
A mechanic we brought it to says its the planetary gear in the transmission but I'm dubious. Thought Id ask the experts!
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 310
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From: NJ
If the noise is coming from under hood and it changes with engine speed, then it must be coming from a rotating object. The rotating objects are belts/pulleys on the right/pass side or the valvetrain near the middle near the top. Look/listen closely with the hood open and report back your findings.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2014
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From: FL
the noise definitely comes from the driver side of the engine compartment. You can hear a little belt noise when she cranks it up cold, but it abates rather quickly.
That whining noise you hear will subside as the engine warms, but its always there.
Let me know what you guys think!
Driver
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 106
Likes: 2
From: NY
Rx-300 noise - YouTube
the noise definitely comes from the driver side of the engine compartment. You can hear a little belt noise when she cranks it up cold, but it abates rather quickly.
That whining noise you hear will subside as the engine warms, but its always there.
Let me know what you guys think!
the noise definitely comes from the driver side of the engine compartment. You can hear a little belt noise when she cranks it up cold, but it abates rather quickly.
That whining noise you hear will subside as the engine warms, but its always there.
Let me know what you guys think!
The fact that the noise wound down as the engine slowed down isn't something I'd associate with the transmission. It may be a bad starter motor clutch. I have to say that I am a reluctant DIY'er and not a mechanic, so take that into consideration.
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Driver
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 106
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From: NY
I want say that the VVTs would have caused a CEL to go off, but I don't know for certain. It does sound like part of the engine is starved for oil, but I hope not, because that would be very bad news.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3
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From: FL
So we finally broke down and dropped the car off to get fixed. One of the benefits of having a backup "fun" car is there's never a rush for repairs.
Turns out the planetary gear was the issue. Apparently the gear is made mostly of aluminum but the pins that hold them in are steel. Over time the pins start to "Waller" the seats out and the vibration starts.
Seems we caught it soon enough to just weld the pins in place and we should be good for another 150k miles according to mechanic. We also had a new rear main seal done and rebuilt the torque converter. $1800. A big bullet to bite but better than the $3500 numbers we were getting from Aaamco. Hahahaha!
Hope this helps someone else!
Also, mechanic was a friend of a friend so were told the project would've been a bit more for others. YMMV
Turns out the planetary gear was the issue. Apparently the gear is made mostly of aluminum but the pins that hold them in are steel. Over time the pins start to "Waller" the seats out and the vibration starts.
Seems we caught it soon enough to just weld the pins in place and we should be good for another 150k miles according to mechanic. We also had a new rear main seal done and rebuilt the torque converter. $1800. A big bullet to bite but better than the $3500 numbers we were getting from Aaamco. Hahahaha!
Hope this helps someone else!
Also, mechanic was a friend of a friend so were told the project would've been a bit more for others. YMMV
Last edited by briremo; May 26, 2014 at 03:47 AM. Reason: Edited to add info
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: NJ
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 67
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From: MA
Humm, I thought only 1999 and 2000 planetary gears with aluminum set ,2001,02,03 Planetary gears with the updated steel set , I have 2002 Rx300 156K miles as well , transmission shift gears perfectly smooth .
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