2005 RX330 Whining From Engine Compartment

Subscribe
Nov 21, 2013 | 10:01 PM
  #16  
^ yep, that's what I heard for a few months before mine blew on my ES300...
Reply 0
Dec 4, 2013 | 11:00 AM
  #17  
Got a RX350 Hummer
Moved this earlier post to here even though I'm in a different generation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm a "newbie" at this Forum and my RX ('13) just turned 3 K. Not sure I'm at the correct Thread,
but the sound coming from under the hood is a major disappointment with my new luxury vehicle.

At start-up, we get a humming/whining sound which gets higher in pitch with acceleration.
The Tach. actually resembles a frequency meter.
This continues for approximately 8 - 10 miles and eventually disapates. Can't blame it on the weather since it did it @ 80 degrees back in August and @ 24 the other morning.
Had it back to the dealer once but the Tech supposedly could not hear it.

Has anyone else encountered this problem or have I purchased a soloist ?
Reply 0
Dec 4, 2013 | 11:05 AM
  #18  
Chazman6:

I don't honestly know if my car always made this sound or if it just started. I am sitting tight for now. The clear advantage I see that you have is that your car is still under warranty and I would not hesitate to take it back to your dealership and ask them to look into it. If you do, please report your results here.

Thanks,
JBL
Reply 0
Dec 5, 2013 | 09:19 AM
  #19  
chazman6, you said it yourself your problem start when it's at startup, I assume it's cold startup, so no way a service tech can hear the problem if you've already drove it for a while engine is all warm up and all. I would ask service department to let you leave it overnight give you a loaner then have the tech with you start the car in the morning and reproduce the sound/problem.
Reply 0
Dec 5, 2013 | 10:21 AM
  #20  
Quote: Not sure I'm at the correct Thread, but the sound coming from under the hood is a major disappointment with my new luxury vehicle.
The correct forum for your vehicle is the "third generation". You might do a search there to see if any other 3rd generation RX350 are having this problem. Here is the link:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...eneration-212/
Reply 0
Dec 5, 2013 | 06:38 PM
  #21  
Thanks to my 2 responders for your input and pointing me to the proper thread'.

FYI, my visit to the Dealer was an overnighter since they were told the problem begins @ start-up.

My big concern is that someone started the RX, went to another job, and returned 30 minutes later
after the vehicle was hot.--- and heard nothing.
Reply 0
Dec 5, 2013 | 09:26 PM
  #22  
That is a prototypical belt issue. Have them look at the belt tension. Then see if the A/C has enough refrigerant oil in it. I bet the noise changes when you turn off AC.
Reply 0
Dec 6, 2013 | 05:52 PM
  #23  
Hummer
Don't beleive the AC is an issue.

The AC is is rarely ON at start-up but if it were needed, most likely would still be running during an 8 - 10 mile ride.
I will definately look into the belt tension since it should be less after the warm-up stretch.
Reply 0

ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

Explore
story-0

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

 Brett Foote
story-4

GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models

 Joe Kucinski
Mar 27, 2018 | 05:23 PM
  #24  
Did you figure out the noise?
Reply 0
Mar 27, 2018 | 07:23 PM
  #25  
Quote: Did you figure out the noise?
Took it to a respected tranny shop last year, the guy test rode it and wanted to do about $500 in diagnostics. It is the transmission and nothing else. I just looked at the first thread, and it was in November 2013, and by the time I wrote that original post I had noticed it for almost a year...It's now March 2018 and the noise is still there. I am nearly convinced that the car is going to sing like this for the rest of it's natural life, or die. I decided not to chase the problem down - if the tranny takes a dump I'll have it replaced or rebuilt. It's bee a really long time since it started - I almost think if something was going to happen, it would have happened by now.
Reply 0
Oct 7, 2020 | 09:43 AM
  #26  
Quote: Did you figure out the noise?
Noise still there. Car runs great otherwise. Ignoring the noise.
Reply 0
Subscribe
story-0

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-1

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE
story-2

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus/Toyota models with the lowest 5-year depreciation rate.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 12:19:06


VIEW MORE
story-3

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

The LC hasn't even disappeared from the Lexus lineup yet, and we're already seeing signs of an explosive market.

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-06 09:25:02


VIEW MORE
story-4

GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

Slideshow: comparing the pricings, specs, power, fuel economy, fun-factor, and features of the GX 550 Luxury+ and TX 550h+ Luxury.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-19 13:44:11


VIEW MORE
story-5

9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

Slideshow: 9 best Lexus models you can buy for half price and 1 you should avoid

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-19 12:01:07


VIEW MORE
story-6

2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

Here's everything you need to know about the latest NX.

By Brett Foote | 2026-03-19 11:56:59


VIEW MORE
story-7

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)

Slideshow: reviewing the 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ Luxury plug-in hybrid crossover SUV!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-05 19:04:47


VIEW MORE
story-8

Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus and Toyota model of the 1990s ranked.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-04 12:35:11


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models

Slideshow: 10 Toyotas that could have been Lexus models.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 11:44:33


VIEW MORE