Toyota recalls LS, other models for valve spring replacement
11-02-10, 08:10 AM
#376
Moderator
I deal with Henessey ATL location on Peachtree Industrial BLVD, I have always gotten great service there and I know one of the techs. They did a great job on the VRS recall, I dropped the car off on a Sat when I had to take my wifes RX350 in for an oil change and got my car back Mon evening. Nalley on Cobb PWY gets great reviews too, CL/SELOC members get discounts at the Henessey Duluth location on certain things and they are good too.
11-02-10, 08:47 AM
#377
First let me say that I have found that what you have said in your many posting contained a lot of wisdom and has been very well thought out. You have my highest respect for your opinions and your skills as a moderator. And, thank your for your support with the wind noise issue without which we would not have made the progress that we have.
Because of my special interest in the "wind noise" issue, I have closely followed the owner comments in several online forums for more than two years now. The "unusual engine noises" subject has come up many times on several different forums and the reported explanation is often that it is related to the fuel injectors and is a normal sound, much like the explanation for the wind noise being a "normal" sound. I don't recall anyone ever getting a resolution for this complaint even if they elevated their concern to Lexus corporate.
Although my car's engine is quiet and I remain very pleased overall, I have suspected, for quiet a while, that the many reports of unusual engine noises are related to the valve spring issue. Since the majority of the engines are quiet, like a normal engine should be, it seems to me that only an engine with a problem would have the unusual noises.
Do you have any additional thoughts about this issue that you could share with us?
11-02-10, 10:49 AM
#378
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My engine idle went higher after the VSR. I think it was running around 1200RMP and now is running at 1400-1500RMP and is nosier at idle. But the drive seems to be smoother and quieter. What's is the normal RMP while idling?
11-02-10, 01:44 PM
#379
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It should be about 700 RPM not 1200-1500. That is too high. About 700 RPM is the same if you stop at light or have it in Park. Take it back to the dealer and have them check it.
11-02-10, 02:02 PM
#380
Without the AC on, it runs down to 600. With the AC on it's like 700 - 800. I haven't had the VSR done yet.
First off thanks for your input. I don't mean to divert the attention to my opinion or hijack the discussion here, but your point touched a concern was born the day I took delivery of the car. Though I have zero knowledge about the issue and all the science/experience behind it, I suspect there is a link between the VS issue & the engine noise. The level of the noise has been elevating recently and I now find it more noticeable than a year & 30K miles ago. This will be validated after I do the VSR fix.
I'm waiting for Lex Corp to send the parts & tools to the local dealership here in Riyadh so they can do the fix for me. I'll report back then.
Interesting discussion.
Originally Posted by jmcraney
The "unusual engine noises" subject has come up many times on several different forums and the reported explanation is often that it is related to the fuel injectors and is a normal sound, much like the explanation for the wind noise being a "normal" sound.
I'm waiting for Lex Corp to send the parts & tools to the local dealership here in Riyadh so they can do the fix for me. I'll report back then.
Interesting discussion.
11-02-10, 03:09 PM
#381
rominl,
First let me say that I have found that what you have said in your many posting contained a lot of wisdom and has been very well thought out. You have my highest respect for your opinions and your skills as a moderator. And, thank your for your support with the wind noise issue without which we would not have made the progress that we have.
Because of my special interest in the "wind noise" issue, I have closely followed the owner comments in several online forums for more than two years now. The "unusual engine noises" subject has come up many times on several different forums and the reported explanation is often that it is related to the fuel injectors and is a normal sound, much like the explanation for the wind noise being a "normal" sound. I don't recall anyone ever getting a resolution for this complaint even if they elevated their concern to Lexus corporate.
Although my car's engine is quiet and I remain very pleased overall, I have suspected, for quiet a while, that the many reports of unusual engine noises are related to the valve spring issue. Since the majority of the engines are quiet, like a normal engine should be, it seems to me that only an engine with a problem would have the unusual noises.
Do you have any additional thoughts about this issue that you could share with us?
First let me say that I have found that what you have said in your many posting contained a lot of wisdom and has been very well thought out. You have my highest respect for your opinions and your skills as a moderator. And, thank your for your support with the wind noise issue without which we would not have made the progress that we have.
Because of my special interest in the "wind noise" issue, I have closely followed the owner comments in several online forums for more than two years now. The "unusual engine noises" subject has come up many times on several different forums and the reported explanation is often that it is related to the fuel injectors and is a normal sound, much like the explanation for the wind noise being a "normal" sound. I don't recall anyone ever getting a resolution for this complaint even if they elevated their concern to Lexus corporate.
Although my car's engine is quiet and I remain very pleased overall, I have suspected, for quiet a while, that the many reports of unusual engine noises are related to the valve spring issue. Since the majority of the engines are quiet, like a normal engine should be, it seems to me that only an engine with a problem would have the unusual noises.
Do you have any additional thoughts about this issue that you could share with us?
good question regarding the engine ticking noise vs fuel and port injection and valve spring. i honestly can't say for sure if valve spring is completely out of the question, but of the few occasions when i talked to my friend (lexus master tech, shop foreman, and diagnostic specialist) regarding the ticking noise, and it's always been indicating that the noise are direct result of the fuel and port injection.
he says unfortunately that's just how the injector design is and thus creating the noise. apparently lexus is pretty aware of this as well, since they received a lot of complaints regarding this, mainly back in 06/07 time frame. but apparently they still believe it's ok.
now that i think about it, i wonder if the es350 3.5L has the same valve spring as the 3.5L in gs350 or not. one has direct injection and one doesn't. i have heard my car with the ticking noise, don't recall es350 people talking about it. and this time the recall is on gs350 but not es350.
i guess a better data point will be to have more valve springs recall done on ls460, is350, and gs350/460/450h, and see if the ticking noise continues. on my gs350, i very rarely heard ticking noise before the recall, so i will keep an eye on mine as well
11-02-10, 04:42 PM
#382
Lexus Champion
When the '07 ES350 came out in April-May '06, there were tons of complaints about a ticking noise when the engine was cold and went away after it was warmed up.
The complaints seem to have diminished with the newer models ('08-'10). Just FYI.
The complaints seem to have diminished with the newer models ('08-'10). Just FYI.
11-02-10, 06:42 PM
#384
Lexus Champion
11-03-10, 06:33 AM
#386
Lexus Champion
When inside the car (primarily when it was idling in the garage and more echo etc.) and also if standing outside. Again, this was only at idle when engine was cold. After a few minutes of warm up or driving it quieted down. This was with the '07 only.
11-03-10, 08:36 AM
#388
i wonder if someone who have access to lexus part numbers / repair manual, maybe they can check if any major part numbers are different between 07 and say 09
11-03-10, 12:07 PM
#389
Driver School Candidate
Regarding engine noise and the valve spring replacement process, if you review my write up at 293 and pics at 304 you will note that in addition to replacing the valve springs with shorter but heavier gauge springs, Lexus is also replacing the hydraulic valve stabilizers (the engine fills these stablizers with engine oil and they keep the valve lash constant - similar to hydraulic valve lifters in an overhead valve engine although with the LS overhead cams they really don't "lift" the valve).
The effectiveness of the stabilizers determines the quietness of the valve train while running (clattering and yes sometimes ticking when hot).
I never heard why Lexus redesigned the spring height thus requiring the stabilizers to also be replaced.
Also for those wanting an oil change with the spring replacement, there is no mechanical reason for this to need to be done. There is very limited oil in the head of a non-running engine and nothing is done that could mix the oil and coolant. Nice try if you can get it, but lets not cause unnecessary concern for those who don't know if it is necessary or not - it is not
.
The effectiveness of the stabilizers determines the quietness of the valve train while running (clattering and yes sometimes ticking when hot).
I never heard why Lexus redesigned the spring height thus requiring the stabilizers to also be replaced.
Also for those wanting an oil change with the spring replacement, there is no mechanical reason for this to need to be done. There is very limited oil in the head of a non-running engine and nothing is done that could mix the oil and coolant. Nice try if you can get it, but lets not cause unnecessary concern for those who don't know if it is necessary or not - it is not
.
Last edited by TexasTex; 11-03-10 at 12:10 PM.
11-03-10, 01:16 PM
#390
GS450H, GS350 & IS350 Instructions
Here is a link to the GS450H, GS350 and IS350 instructions if anyone is interested.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/do...0V309-9018.pdf
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/do...0V309-9018.pdf