Hmm.... I wonder what happened to those ES owners there that had problems. Are they still around, or did they move on?

 

I'm guessing some have moved on as I haven't seen them post in quite a while, not just some from thread but other posts others were doing back when. Just vanished, like the guy on his second car that developed trans problems, haven't seen him in two months, others as well.

I haven't seen Riley since his last post of his car was taken apart for the 2nd time for missing welds, maybe it worked, but hope he reports back at some point and not silent because he had an accident or something.

 

Dropped off the ES350 yesterday for evaluation / repair of the cold morning knock noise and the 3-4th gear flare shift. Dealer gave us an RX350 with 6,900 miles on it. Went out this morning, 39 degrees cold, upon start up - no knock noise and no shift flare. Will be interesting to see their take on it. Maybe it is as simple as an oil filter not up to spec for the cold knock noise.

 

Please let us know the outcome as I and many others have not got satisfaction for the cold start engine "Diesel like sound" that goes away after warmup.

Nick

 

garsarno...,

Did you let them know to start the car and drive it right away rather than hang around the front with the hood up? If not they may miss the knocking tapping noise.

What is the build month of your car, I think you let us know before but I do not remember?

Good luck with it.

 

Build date is 8/06.

 

Well, the dealer has advised the following on our ES350UL:

1). Transmission flare - will rpelace the converter first and if it still flares, new transmission. Must go through this step for Lexus corp. Had 2 complaints before: one the converter fix worked, second required a new transmission.

2). Cold noise - first told me it was the fuel injection, then when Isaid my Lincoln LS did not have this noise, well it is different fuel injection. So, I told him the loaner 2007 RX350 did not have this noise at all upon cold morning start up with the same engine but it did have it's first oil change per the oil change windshield sticker. Told me they would leave the work order open and when I return on 12/12 for the transmission work, they would review thenoise again, hopefully when it is much colder than 51 degrees overnight. they did a great job cleaning our car upon pick up but the RX350 loaner was so dirty inside, I had it washed inside / out at our local car wash. I love this car but I thought I was going to avoid this problems with Lexus.

 

garsarno,

I have not seen anyone post that only the converter was being replaced, that is a different approach. I've seen valve body and converter or trans and converter posted but not just converter.

As for the diesel engine noise, I don't believe they-Lexus have any interest in fixing that at all, nor wind noise, those with either or both are simply going to be stuck with them and have to live with it.

Had I not driven the cold started demonstrator I did that was completely absent the diesel engine noise I would not believe they make them without it as every other ES350 I have driven has had it either loud or sewing machine level, 2 of each in fact, of those I have driven and the one absent it completely.

If pushed, maybe you could have them explain to you why your car has this and then why members on here as dreyfus, Lexbob, gumball, others do not have this "fuel injector" noise.

 

I picked up my car from the dealer today and was able to demonstrate the transmission flare to the service manager on a quick test drive. The service manager said that he would talk to corporate about the flare issue. The service manager said that he felt it was most likely a software issue upon cold start. He said he would check with the Lexus district manager and push for a solution that worked.

 

2007...,

Is your's the classic 3 to 4 flare? And if so did the service manager say anything at all about the TSIB issued on August 2 and August 7 on the 3 to 4?

 

Cancel the above question, I think I answered it myself as he would have caught the 3 to 4 with the portable computer metering device attached at the port beneath your steering column during your demonstration drive, so it must be something else he noticed.

 

It was the classic 3 to 4 shift. However, the service manager is not convinced that the TSB will correct this problem; he wants to do further research before just diving in with parts replacements.

 

That's a great approach and may save you some hassle with multiple visits avoided as it seems the TSIB is not working for the flare as it is.