I need some advice . I have a2011 bought new. The car has had every service and recommended service at the original Lexus dealer Sithtown Lexus on Long Island. The car developed a tapping noise at about 30,000 miles. Every service I tell the service dept and they always tell me its normal? Problem is the noise doesnt go away after the car is warmed up. It is always there no matter how much I drive it. I have heard some members say the dealers say its the fuel injectors making noise but this seems to be slowly getting louder . The car has 53000 miles now and Im getting the impression the dealer IE Lexus is trying to avoid a major engine job until after the 60000 mile engine warrenty is up. How do I get this taken care of , they seem to be adament about it being normal . Is there any Lexus program for this ie silent recall or a govt agency I can go to because I really feel they know these engines have an issue and dont want the expense of repairing them. Thanks for any assistance.

 

Maybe it is the fuel injectors. I would run a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner through a tank of gas and see if it makes them any quieter.
I would also consider having a trusted, competent independent shop evaluate the vehicle noise. Although I suspect it is just the injectors and you have not complained of any performance issues. These engines are used in a number of Toyota and Lexus vehicles and I have not seen any such complaints on the www.Toyotanation.com forums.

Here is a Toyotanation discussion of fuel injector noise in the 2008 -2012 Highlander (same engine)
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/12...ce-needed.html

 

Thanks , it seems the complaints state the noise is when first started or cold. Mine is always there and as far as performance, it seems to run great but the gas milage has dropped about 1.5 mpg . Used to average 17.5 on eastern long island now I get 16.2 or so. I always use sujnoco 91 octane or if unavailable or on the road I use 93 which is standard. Only time it ever has 89 octain was in a huge blizzard when all the gas on LI was only 89 so its all you could get for 2 weeks..That shouldnt hurt it though it was only 1 tank full.

 

I agree with Clutchless, throw in a bottle of fuel system cleaner and go from there. Toyota/Lexus V6s are "ticky", ALL OF THEM. Unless it was excessive, however that is tough to diagnose. If you can, post a video.

 

"Normal"

I hate hearing that.

It reminds me that Taxes are Normal.

Prostate trouble in old men is Normal.

Diabetes is Normal - if you live long enough.

Death is Normal.

Why not strive for Good or Great?!?

My two cent's worth of suggestion is to add some Rislone oil treatment in an attempt to clean and release the lash adjusters.

BTW, I change the synthetic 0w20 at five thousand mile intervals to avoid any tendency to clog close-fitting parts; and I use about a 1/4 can of Rislone in the oil each time (I'd add more, but they always seem to overfill my engine - and I haven't taken the trouble to suck out a pint first).

Who knows, it might be an exercise in futility for me to do those steps - but it makes me feel like I'm doing something (and the cost isn't prohibitive).

Q: How often do you change your oil?

 

^One thing at a time, though. Try the fuel thing first, then the oil. You want to isolate the system that's giving you the perceived issue.

 

Got a video of it? It doesn't have DI, so we can rule out that noise. The regular port injectors shouldn't really be noisy at all. Though, as mentioned above, the 2gr-fe is a bit noisy. sort of a diesel-y sound especially when you first start it up.

What oil and type of gas are you using?

 

Yeah its almost a diesel kinda tap. My sons fiance has a 2013 rx350 and I listened to it. The noise is there but when you first start it the noise is hard to hear once it warms a bit and the revs go down its very noticeable. Not as loud as mine but its there. Now that you all mention using cleaner this all seams to have become nosticable around the time they cleaned the injectors. At about 30k miles they suggested it so I let them do it during the the service . im wondering fi that did something . Thanks for the info , everything is a bit helpful. Wifey wants me to run it down to Lexus tomorrow and have them check it out again.