Noisy Engine??
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 22
From: Western Australia (Australia)
Noisy Engine??
My 2011 Lexus RX350 when cruising can be whisper quiet (also depending on the orad and obviously the tyres). This meets the brief of that Lexus quiet when in motion.
However at times when the car is simply sitting idling at say the lights you can hear the engine and it sounds a lot louder than I expect it to be. I would have assumed at idle yku would barely hear it. Maybe it was the strong wind outside that played with the sound but its not the first time.
I also have that annoying drone from the exhaust when accelerating. Is it just me ir do most owners have these disturbances in their 3rd Gen's?
Apparently an sound vibration dampner for the exhaust will get rid of the drone when accelerating. Might it be a leak somewhere that woukd be causing this raspy idling noise? Realised outside the car it is generally louder than my previous 2nd gen RX330's. Is this charatiristic of the RX350 engine?
However at times when the car is simply sitting idling at say the lights you can hear the engine and it sounds a lot louder than I expect it to be. I would have assumed at idle yku would barely hear it. Maybe it was the strong wind outside that played with the sound but its not the first time.
I also have that annoying drone from the exhaust when accelerating. Is it just me ir do most owners have these disturbances in their 3rd Gen's?
Apparently an sound vibration dampner for the exhaust will get rid of the drone when accelerating. Might it be a leak somewhere that woukd be causing this raspy idling noise? Realised outside the car it is generally louder than my previous 2nd gen RX330's. Is this charatiristic of the RX350 engine?
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 601
From: NC
We have only had my wife's 2015 RX350 FWD for eight days now but it seems to operate as quietly as her previous 2004 RX330 AWD did. Her previous 2000 RX300 AWD was definitely the loudest of the bunch, but that model was built just after the beginning of the RX line-up and Lexus had quite a few problems with it (as did we). It was underpowered and had a relatively lousy transmission.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 33
Likes: 5
From: NJ
I have a 2015 RX350 AWD and experience a drone noise between 1700 and 1800 RPM. The noise is most likely an exhaust system vibration. Someone on this forum reported that he fixed it by placing a damper on the exhaust pipe. Check out this thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ine-sound.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ine-sound.html
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
2011... It's what, 7-8 yo car? I'd say you need to clean your VVT-I filters. I'll elaborate. This engine does not have engine lifters. Gap between rockers and tappets is maintained by VVT-I. Specifically, VVT actuator. That, in its turn, is basically oil pressure relevant. There are 2 VVT solenoids in the engine block, one per each block. They have strainer filters right next to them. When those go dirty, oil pressure to solenoids falls down, solenoids start acting up=VVT acts up=rocker noise. Mind you, at IDLE. As at idle, oil pressure is lower than driving already.
Does it make sense?
Does it make sense?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
OK... There is nothing to really check. You take them out, spray clean with a brake cleaner, reinstall. They are pretty easy access.
Personally, I'd Seafom the engine, as it cleans all oil passeges but, because you take yours to mechanic for jobs, I am not recommending that. That's DIY thing.
Personally, I'd Seafom the engine, as it cleans all oil passeges but, because you take yours to mechanic for jobs, I am not recommending that. That's DIY thing.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 9
From: Canada
2011... It's what, 7-8 yo car? I'd say you need to clean your VVT-I filters. I'll elaborate. This engine does not have engine lifters. Gap between rockers and tappets is maintained by VVT-I. Specifically, VVT actuator. That, in its turn, is basically oil pressure relevant. There are 2 VVT solenoids in the engine block, one per each block. They have strainer filters right next to them. When those go dirty, oil pressure to solenoids falls down, solenoids start acting up=VVT acts up=rocker noise. Mind you, at IDLE. As at idle, oil pressure is lower than driving already.
Does it make sense?
Does it make sense?
Thanks!
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
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From: Western Australia (Australia)
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OK... There is nothing to really check. You take them out, spray clean with a brake cleaner, reinstall. They are pretty easy access.
Personally, I'd Seafom the engine, as it cleans all oil passeges but, because you take yours to mechanic for jobs, I am not recommending that. That's DIY thing.
Personally, I'd Seafom the engine, as it cleans all oil passeges but, because you take yours to mechanic for jobs, I am not recommending that. That's DIY thing.
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