Hi fellow RX owners,

I have a 2013 RX350 with about 95,000 miles, and I have noticed a sort of engine tapping sound that would be audible intermittently. It is noticeable when driving against a wall or when idled and listening from outside the vehicle. And of course, there are times when it is not heard at all. I have attached a small clip of this noise, so I am hoping someone can chime in on what or where the sound is coming from. I appreciate any insight on this!

 

Sounds like lifter tick, maybe injectors. Never easy listening to over internet. Doesn't sound low frequency enough for piston slap.
Get a Mechanic's stethoscope to see if you can isolate area.

 

^^ What he said....

 

I have two 2gr-fe engines (One in 2012 Rav and one in 2015 Rx). The Rav makes that same noise (when near a wall) and has since purchasing it 9/2020 with 73k. Checked the maintenance records at Toyota Service Records and the previous owner had questioned ticking at 53k and Toyota Mechanic had no mention of any problems. Now at 138K nothing has changed. At times it's quiet other times I notice ticks. My wife drives the Rx (65k) and I have not noticed it, but I seldom drive it. My guess is injector noise as it is intermittent and not does not affect the drivability, so I just enjoy the engines

 

Could be the VVT system (Variable Valve Timing). If so, probably no big deal. Many VVT systems on many different vehicles are prone to ticking.

 

Thank you all for the feedback. It definitely is not hindering performance in any way, but more a cause of concern just in case it signaled a bigger problem. I will continue to enjoy it and not worry so much!

 

My 07 ES with the 2GR-FE has been making that ticking noise for the past five years. It starts after the car is warmed up and stays constant. I put in a lifter quieting fluid in the engine (Rislone), but it didn’t do anything. Nowadays I just blast some music so it doesn’t bother me. Hasn't caused problems otherwise.

 

Have you tried listening to the high pressure fuel pump. I noticed on several of these cars that the pump can make more noise than would considered to be healty. I use a sthetoscope to listen to these noises. At the moment i'm busy on my RX450H with a noise on startup. With the code reader i can select the misfiring count. That can give you a idea if your noise is produced by misfires or not.

 

Just bought a 2014 RX and it has a light tick after warming up. Glad everyone is saying it doesn't change and has no effect on performance, making me worry much less.
I hear they say if you can hear it with the windows up (and not when next to a wall) then there is a problem.
151600 miles.

 

I have this same noise on my 2010 RX350. Noticed it around 140k miles and currently has 195k. Hasn’t gotten louder, no performance issues, just there. One of my other cars is a 2007 Camry with the same 2GR-FE engine at 300k miles and doesn’t make the noise so who knows.