Hey guys, 150K miles on a 2004 AWD RX330, full synthetic oil changes every three months, tranny flush a few months ago, 93 octane gas, before that 89 since getting the car used at 27k miles. Timing belt serpentine belt I believe were both changed. It sounds like this but it only happens for about ten seconds every once in a while. I noticed it today when pulling into the driveway. 90 degrees, NY, sunny. Cold or hot, doesn't matter.

EDIT: revving makes no difference. It doesn't increase or decrease the sound, nor does it increase with acceleration,it never really lasts long enough that i'd hear it on the road, and i found this video on youtube. the sound is nearly identical, although mine sounds like it is a bit more muffled

 

That may be a bad bearing in the serpentine belt idler pulley.

 

Sounds like a power steering pump whine...

 

I know, and dealer confirmed I have a power steering leak, but that's not a big deal to worry about right now, so you think it may be the water pump which can cause that noise? And shall I ask the dealer to inspect the serpentine belt bearing when I bring it in? Just curious for ideas and if indeed a leaking power steering pump can cause that straining noise once in a while? I realise I didn't provide enough information, and I will update this thread with a video

 

There is no serpentine belt bearing. The RX330 does not have a serpentine belt. It has two v-ribbed beits. One drives the power steering pump. The other drives the alternator and the AC.

You said you have a power steering leak, have you checked power steering fluid level?

 

The power steering fluid level is good. Car is at Lexus right now for rear sway bar bushings, changing diff fluid, and transfer case fluid and I told them to check the transmission.. a couple months ago they had it for service, basically I bought it in and had the Lexus tech look at it and tell me if it will keep going if I do the maintenance needed.. changed exhaust manifolds etc, and all is well. So when you said the AC, about a year ago last summer, when I was making tight turns AC water was leaking into the car, my buddy mechanic fixed it installed a new radiator and I noticed sometimes when the AC turns on it whines a little bit and I know that is a direct result of the AC now I am wondering if my sound is connected to the AC or the radiator that he replaced. The AC wine doesn't concern me as much as this occasional slight engine whine, and now I'm wondering if it is connected to the radiator that was replaced, I have noticed the sound for months I just decided to post about it recently, it couldit could have after the radiator but I cannot say for sure because I noticed the AC first... In any case the car is at Lexus right now, and they love to throw in service, so I will have them inspect the radiator and air conditioner as well as the alternator just to be safe. I'll try to report back and get more organized and just so it can help out future readers.

I know that's a lot of information and I just pretty much said all that I know that can affect it so if anybody else has a similar issue or had a similar issue etc

Thanks for your help, I'm going to have them check out the air conditioner & the radiator

Edit: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-2nd-gen-2004-2009/588161-lexus-rx330-awd-radiator-replacement.html This Thread offers more insight and clues

 

 

+1 for the pump