Is this the end of my GS300
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Is this the end of my GS300
Hi! I have a 2000 Lexus GS300 that has been amazing for the last 18 years. It’s been properly maintained and drives well. Until today. It is making horrible rattling noises and it’s so loud that it’s embarrassing. There are no lights showing up on the panel so I’m not sure what it could be. I’m taking it in to the shop tomorrow but I’m not sure if I should tow it or chance it the 6 miles in.
Is this the the end of my faithful Lexus?
Is this the the end of my faithful Lexus?
#2
Hopefully not.
I have the questions but alas, not the answers.
Does it happen
- when the engine is idling in park?
- when you engage drive?
- when you are coasting in neutral?
- when you are moving?
Depending upon the answers you may want to think twice about driving it the 6 miles. You could be turning a misfortune into a total loss.
I have the questions but alas, not the answers.
Does it happen
- when the engine is idling in park?
- when you engage drive?
- when you are coasting in neutral?
- when you are moving?
Depending upon the answers you may want to think twice about driving it the 6 miles. You could be turning a misfortune into a total loss.
#3
Video of the noises? It is very hard to diagnose strange noises online because you have noises that could be a loose exhaust heat shield or internal drive train or engine failure (which is kinda rare) and everything in between.
#4
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
My noise problem came from a cracked flexplate. I was already leaking oil from the rear main seal so I had the trans dropped and replaced the flexplate and rear main seal at the same time. There is a rubber inspection plug that you can take off and liste n for the noise
#5
This could be anything from a A/C compressor clutch coming apart, water pump going out, etc, to a loose exhaust heat shield, to internal engine damage. Id suggest making sure you have oil in it before driving it. Check coolant too. Hopefully its just something in the serpentine system or something else simple. Let us know what the mechanic finds!
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I think you're right, I'm going to tow it the 6 miles in today. I definitely don't want to turn a misfortune into a total loss.
It happens:
1) As soon as I start the engine
2) When I'm engaged to drive
3) Didn't try it in neutral
4) When I'm moving
5) And it definitely got louder from the time I drove it in the morning, until I got home last night.
It happens:
1) As soon as I start the engine
2) When I'm engaged to drive
3) Didn't try it in neutral
4) When I'm moving
5) And it definitely got louder from the time I drove it in the morning, until I got home last night.
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I left it at home today, but will get video of the noises. It's horrible. You can hear me coming before you actually see my car. Sad...
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I'm hoping its just a cracked flexplate. I'll ask my mechanic to check.
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks! I'll have my mechanic check all of the things you mentioned. It's weird that the car is making so much noise and there's no lights showing up on the panel. I'm going to tow it in just to make sure I don't break it.
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Quick update - I towed the car to my mechanic on Friday and left town for the holidays. I didn't hear from him for a few days and was too afraid to call. He called before Thanksgiving and said the car was fixed. Apparently it was a drive belt issue. So a couple hundred bucks for the fix and I'm back in business. He did say that the car should last another year or two, but he would recommend getting rid of it if it had any big maintenance issues come up.
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QLex300 (01-09-22)
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Quick update - I towed the car to my mechanic on Friday and left town for the holidays. I didn't hear from him for a few days and was too afraid to call. He called before Thanksgiving and said the car was fixed. Apparently it was a drive belt issue. So a couple hundred bucks for the fix and I'm back in business. He did say that the car should last another year or two, but he would recommend getting rid of it if it had any big maintenance issues come up.
As for the car lasting a year or two, I know when things happen like this it's scary but there's not a lot that goes wrong with these cars other than normal maintenance. I'm going on 20 years with mine. I remember this one time I almost traded mine in - for a BMW 7 series can you imagine?. I asked for the history and salesperson came back with a stack of repairs and a note at the bottom that read "NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CPO PROGRAM". At that point I decided to keep my "old" GS. Now when people ask me when I'm getting rid of my car I tell them I'm never selling this car! It's the most reliable car I've ever owned, even with the rare problems, it's still more reliable than most cars today.
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QLex300 (01-09-22)
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saline69
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01-28-02 01:08 PM