Yesterday I noticed a whining noise coming from the engine bay of my low mileage 2013 RX350.

Will pop the hood later and see if I can figure out what's going on.

 

Take a video and post it. We'd love to hear it.

 

Finally got around to visiting the mechanic today.

Seems as if it's coming from the transmission.

 

You state that your 2013 RX350 is "low mileage". What is your current odometer reading, and have you ever refreshed your ATF?

 

I cannot open your file unfortunately.

 

I too was unable to open the file after download.
Did your mechanic have any comments about the noise? How does the car drive? Has it changed recently?
And as asked above, how many miles and has the ATF ever been refreshed?

 

78000km.

ATF last refreshed at the local dealer at 61000km two years ago.

 

With the exception of the whining sound it drove the same.

 

I've since ordered the following:
Torque converter (32000-33132 )
Strainer
Seal kit
Pan Gasket.

 

You did a fluid change 17000 km ago at 61,000 km (37,900 miles). Now you only have 78,000 km (48466 miles) That is extremely low mileage to have any transmission issues and you are not even due for another fluid change.

I would leave it alone until something else happened if it drive the same. There could be other sources than the transmission for your noise, did your mechanic give it a full checkup? Check the CV joints, wheel bearings, water pump, alternator etc etc. I would seek a second opinion before replacing the torque convertor.

Why the torque convertor? Why not the valve bodies and solenoids as they are what usually fail? But again your mileage is too low for those to fail now.
Something else is likely the source of the noise. Maybe even bad tires.

You said it shifts okay. What did your mechanic advise?
Don't you have to drop the transmission to replace the torque convertor?

See these articles on the U660e transmission and its issues
​​​​​​https://gearsmagazine.com/magazine/t...transmissions/

https://www.atsg.biz/images/U660E%20Demo.pdf

​​​​​​

 

I've recently done over the suspension, and the mechanic put the car on lift and determined it was the transmission. Yes the transmission has to be dropped to replace the torque converter. I've been grappling with this issue especially at such low mileage and after giving this some more thought, I've decided to change the strainer (part number : 3533048020) and fluid only. Based on the outcome of this, I'll decide what to do next.

 

@Sweeks2020 Do you have an RX F Sport or base RX?

 

Because the F-Sport has the newer (and more problematic) 8 speed transmission and the regular model has the older 6 speed (U660e) transmission.https://www.motorbiscuit.com/class-a...transmissions/

 

I first discovered the video in post #10 above a couple of years ago before I did my first series of ATF drain-and-fills on my wife's 2015 RX350 FWD with the U660E transmission as shown in the video. I had an e-mail exchange with Mike (the presenter in the video) and essentially decided afterwards that in order to allow these rather mediocre units to achieve the longest possible lifespan without failing, the following rules must be followed:

1. Do not drive this vehicle like a race car, meaning no jackrabbit starts and stops.
2. Do not drive this vehicle like a 4x4 all-terrain rock-climber, meaning stay on reasonable road surfaces.
3. Do not tow with this vehicle (even though it was built with the heavy-duty towing package).
4. Do the series of three ATF drain-and-fills at least every 50,000 to 60,000 miles (or sooner if you prefer to be more conservative).
5. Regularly check underneath the vehicle for ATF leaks on the driveway or garage floor.

My wife's 2015 RX350 FWD is now approaching 90,000 miles and continues to perform exactly as designed. I attribute some of that level of success to her relatively conservative driving habits, and I hope her vehicle will remain trouble-free and can therefore remain in our stable for years to come. Time will tell.

 

Base model
Six Speed Transmission
U660F transmission