I have an issue with my 2011 350 that is quite perplexing. I get an intermittent sound... best I can describe it is like a metallic vacuum sound that seems to come from the right rear of the car. There is no pattern to when it arises... comes and goes. I've been to the dealership with it 3 times and of course it did not occur. They must think I am hallucinating. I thought it might be an exhaust problem but would appreciate any incite from the experts on this forum.

 

Baffle inside the exhaust ? A loose/damaged heat shield will also make a noise as you describe.
I see a couple dampers in the parts diagram. Should be easy to see if one has gone missing.
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...X350-2011.html

 

Excellent description of the sound. Better than anything I could come up with. My '97 Avalon had the same problem from birth. Never able to figure it out. Never took it to a dealer. Figured it would go away. Never did. Put up with it for 16 years. Loved that car. Suspected bypass valve in muffler, but never investigated it. This probably doesn't help, but I would have the muffler investigated.

 

Thanks for the comments guys. I'll check it out.

Alan

 

Might it be the ventilated seat fans? While the air is going up and through the leather, the sound is most audible from behind. When you move to and fro in the seat it changes the sound quite a bit.
(OTOH, any recreational drugs from the 60's in you?...LOL)

 

[QUOTE=SteveCraig;8738578]Baffle inside the exhaust ? A loose/damaged heat shield will also make a noise as you describe. I see a couple dampers in the parts diagram. Should be easy to see if one has gone missing. QUOTE]

Finally got around to taking my car in for service. Bingo - you da man!! Nailed it. Turns out it was a vibration from a corroded screw holding the heat shield in place. Simple fix and its taken care of. Thanks for the info.

Alan

 

[QUOTE=cynalan;8810150]Thanks for the "end of the story", as the saying goes.
Ray A.