Piston sensor
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Driver School Candidate
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From: New York
Piston sensor
I have been scrolling this forum for years now and I am about to publish my first message. Thanks to everyone for their forum contributions. It's been a great source of information for me.
I have a rudimental sense of how the pistons of my 2007 Lexus 350RX AWD work. I'm driving it for about 4 years now (120k on the engine). The last two winters I noticed the engine needs to warm up for about a minute or two to avoid hearing raw piston slap noise, the noise discussed widely on this forum for this engine. Once all parts/ fluids are a bit warmer things are fine.
In addition to that problem, which I don't really understand how to resolve without spending a serious amount of money, I now sense that there is an issue with a coil/ spinning part somewhere too. I have uploaded two videos and hope someone has some pointers to other threads in this forum or perhaps can share a few insights in the reply here.
Two videos
There are two videos. Video 1 gives a bit of an idea where I hold my phone (camera and mic). In video 2 I'm a bit closer to the actual noise. This is recorded on a warm engine but this 'spinning noise' also appears after a few minutes on a cold engine.
Video 1
Video 2
I have a rudimental sense of how the pistons of my 2007 Lexus 350RX AWD work. I'm driving it for about 4 years now (120k on the engine). The last two winters I noticed the engine needs to warm up for about a minute or two to avoid hearing raw piston slap noise, the noise discussed widely on this forum for this engine. Once all parts/ fluids are a bit warmer things are fine.
In addition to that problem, which I don't really understand how to resolve without spending a serious amount of money, I now sense that there is an issue with a coil/ spinning part somewhere too. I have uploaded two videos and hope someone has some pointers to other threads in this forum or perhaps can share a few insights in the reply here.
Two videos
There are two videos. Video 1 gives a bit of an idea where I hold my phone (camera and mic). In video 2 I'm a bit closer to the actual noise. This is recorded on a warm engine but this 'spinning noise' also appears after a few minutes on a cold engine.
Video 1
Video 2
Last edited by aurelius8; Oct 3, 2020 at 02:46 PM. Reason: html not working
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,993
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From: The Jet City
Basically sounds like a regular 2GR-FE motor, it does have motor valvetrain noise, thanx to dual vvt, roller rockers, intake cams drive the exhaust cams via a chain, then a 3MZ-FE which uses a belt driving the intake cams & the exhaust cams are gear driven from the intake cam, which use vvt on the intake only. The piston crowns on the 2GR use a tapered squish design to improve thermal efficiency & prevent pre ignition as well as it has oil jets that spray oil to the bottom of the pistons for cooling same as the 6.1 & 6.4 Hemi's.....>>>When has the plugs been changed as well as the upstream o2 sensors? I find these motors pretty stout, forged rods/crank w/ hypereutectic pistons vs standard cast pistons.....
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Thank you for your detailed response Felix. Thanks for conforming the role of these oil jets. I did conclude already earlier that as soon as that oil warms up (as well as the pistons) the pistons stop making that typical winter 'piston slap/ raw' noise.
What I referred to as 'spinning noise' you referred to as 'motor valvetrain noise', correct?
Regarding the plugs, it's likely they have never been replaced, I have not done so in the last 4 years at least. There's no alarm light on either other than the one for the tires (I ride a slightly lower PSI bc the poor NYC street quality). If any, the fuel usage is a bit high, but I figured it's because of all the stop & go city miles. I'll keep a log of it and see if it's higher than average. I have neither ever replaced any upstream o2 sensors, and I assume neither has the previous owner (no log). This engine still has plenty of traction.
What I referred to as 'spinning noise' you referred to as 'motor valvetrain noise', correct?
Regarding the plugs, it's likely they have never been replaced, I have not done so in the last 4 years at least. There's no alarm light on either other than the one for the tires (I ride a slightly lower PSI bc the poor NYC street quality). If any, the fuel usage is a bit high, but I figured it's because of all the stop & go city miles. I'll keep a log of it and see if it's higher than average. I have neither ever replaced any upstream o2 sensors, and I assume neither has the previous owner (no log). This engine still has plenty of traction.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,811
Likes: 91
From: Scottsdale, AZ
this is the noise i believe ive had as well that happens during the winter months when it is cold. At first i thought something was seriously wrong and that i possibly had a bad engine; but as it turns out; im starting to believe more and more that this noise is normal during cold weather startup. I took my rx to a supposed specialist for toyota/lexus and the tech there said i need a completely new to me replacement engine. I somehow found that a little hard to believe and i think i got taken for a ride. The reason i say i got taken for a ride is because i had that replace engine diagnosis told to me at the beginning of this year in january; and ive just been driving my rx since then and even to this day it still hasnt blown up on me and i dont think it ever will as that was at the 138,000 mile mark and I now have almost 152,000 on it and its still going strong.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,811
Likes: 91
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Thank you for your detailed response Felix. Thanks for conforming the role of these oil jets. I did conclude already earlier that as soon as that oil warms up (as well as the pistons) the pistons stop making that typical winter 'piston slap/ raw' noise.
What I referred to as 'spinning noise' you referred to as 'motor valvetrain noise', correct?
Regarding the plugs, it's likely they have never been replaced, I have not done so in the last 4 years at least. There's no alarm light on either other than the one for the tires (I ride a slightly lower PSI bc the poor NYC street quality). If any, the fuel usage is a bit high, but I figured it's because of all the stop & go city miles. I'll keep a log of it and see if it's higher than average. I have neither ever replaced any upstream o2 sensors, and I assume neither has the previous owner (no log). This engine still has plenty of traction.
What I referred to as 'spinning noise' you referred to as 'motor valvetrain noise', correct?
Regarding the plugs, it's likely they have never been replaced, I have not done so in the last 4 years at least. There's no alarm light on either other than the one for the tires (I ride a slightly lower PSI bc the poor NYC street quality). If any, the fuel usage is a bit high, but I figured it's because of all the stop & go city miles. I'll keep a log of it and see if it's higher than average. I have neither ever replaced any upstream o2 sensors, and I assume neither has the previous owner (no log). This engine still has plenty of traction.
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From: New York
Hi matts6887 - thanks for your responses. Yea, like you, I'm not too worried about that winter piston noise, or piston slap as some perhaps refer to it. When I started noticing it about 2 winters ago I was like, well well well, that could be the beginning of the end, but till date it has stayed about the same while the engine didn't really loose too much traction. I took it to a Polish hands on mechanic here and spoke about it with a few people and the cost of working on that engine to 'tune it up' and make it sound 'like new' isn't worth the $.
However, I am curious about that 'other sound', so not the piston, but that spinning noise. Could it be a valve? A chain? I have left Lexus of Queens (here in NYC) a voicemail and send them two detailed emails and links to these videos so I wonder what they are going to get back with. I'll update this thread too once they share some feedback.
However, I am curious about that 'other sound', so not the piston, but that spinning noise. Could it be a valve? A chain? I have left Lexus of Queens (here in NYC) a voicemail and send them two detailed emails and links to these videos so I wonder what they are going to get back with. I'll update this thread too once they share some feedback.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 23
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From: IN
Your motor sounds fine. The 2GR-FE makes a bit of a diesel clatter sound. That's just what they do. I was unnerved by it too, but learned it's really going to be fine. These engines aren't silent. They make all kinds of oddball sounds, but they are very sturdy.
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From: New York
Hi CarComp - thank you for chiming in. Yea, the diesel type of sound is not what got my attention. It sounds perhaps a bit raw, but well, it's an almost 14 year old engine with 120k on it so I'm not complaining. It still has some good acceleration too. That other noise however, that 'spinning' or 'sizzling' noise it new, and I just can't place it.
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I agree with the other users, the 2GR-FE and even the new 2GR-FKS love to tick. I've worked on newer Highlanders and RX's and they sound the same. Heck, even the inline 4 2AZ-FE in my old Camry ticked away.
But I do agree there is another sound I just can't place together with the normal tick. Are all your vacuum hoses good? Since you recorded in that area and there are a ton of small vacuum hoses there going from the air filter to the intake manifold and beyond. These are known to crack/degrade over time, I replaced a few when I did my spark plugs on my 330.
But I do agree there is another sound I just can't place together with the normal tick. Are all your vacuum hoses good? Since you recorded in that area and there are a ton of small vacuum hoses there going from the air filter to the intake manifold and beyond. These are known to crack/degrade over time, I replaced a few when I did my spark plugs on my 330.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2019
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From: The Jet City
aurelius8, The pistons in the 2gr are a hypereutectic, which maintain their strength under high load conditions vs standard cast pistons......Hypereutectic pistons are inherently stronger w/ increased thermal characteristics, lubricity & scuff resistance vs a regular cast pistons. Cast & hypereutectic pistons allow a tighter tolerance vs a forged pistons, which need a looser tolerance as the forged pistons expand when the motor is warmed up, but are a lot stronger.....I've used Keith Black hypereutectic pistons in a few motors & Trick flow & Sealed power forged pistons in a couple other motors....Toyota could of cut costs using a basic cast piston, as well as cast rods & crank. But not, they elected to go w/ a forged crank & rods, using hypereutectic pistons for the 2gr....for a stout daily motor.....>>>.Aurelius8, I suggest reading up 'bout the different piston types to give you a better idea.....Oh & the 2gr's have a more mechanical noise vs a 3mz...Have a listen to a v/8 w/ solid lifters, forged pistons w/ headers....Guess I'm used to motors w/ a more mechanical tone...
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Hi Lexuswiz - I located these hoses in this video https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2...es/check_hoses . I'll check them later today on my end. However, after looking at these hoses and comparing it to this 'spinning' or 'sizzling' sound I wonder how they relate. I now wonder if these hoses, to push air forward, have a fan inside of them, or a valve with a fan or the like? I checked a couple of diagrams https://parts.lexus.com/p/Lexus_2007...730820120.html but it doesn't become clear. Anyhow, if there is such fan or the like inside that vacuum hose that 'spinning' or 'sizzling' noise could be just that fan.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,811
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
yes; this i believe is what i am hearing during the colder winter months on startup; but again im not worried about it as my rx keeps on rolling right along i just had a oil change done yesterday and with that a inspection which the shop does with all oil changes and other than a seeping transfer case which ive managed to live with cause its too much money to fix it everything checks out ok thus far.
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