LilLex99

Hello,

Does anyone know what might cause a whirring noise upon initial acceleration in a 1999 RX300 with 82,000 miles? I don't notice it at other times, just when I initially accelerate - wondering if that is normal.

Also, a quick question about overdrive. When I bought my car several months ago I was told to leave it in overdrive, so I did. However, I do live in an area with quite a few steep hills, so I've now taken it out of overdrive except for on the highway (which makes much more sense to me). Could that have caused harm to my transmision from often driving it in overdrive on steepish hills for 4k miles?

Just a little nervous...so afriad my tranny or engine is going to go...

ArmyofOne

my trans seems ok, and it seems to have the whirr you speak of. something about a transaxle bearing was what the dealer said. when i asked if it would harm the trans if left alone, he said absolutely not, it will just be noisy. he said in fact, that he wouldnt reccomend fixig it, unless i am getting the ATX rebuilt, cause in his opinion, it just wasnt worth the cash to fix something like that. 1500 miles and so far so good.

jimmouse

Thanks for the info. My 01RX300 has 60K on it. Bot it used. I found the same noise. It only happens when I speed up from stopping at a red light, or when I am making a full stop. Once I am moving again, or I am idling, the noise is gone. So, if it is the tranny bearing, should it be covered under the power train warranty?

joshthorsc

I think the whirring noise occurs on most of these lexus vehicles, including my 12 year old, 165,000 miles sc400. I noticed it only whirls when driving from a stop and go and sometimes from go to stop. At first, when I purchased my sc400 used at 151k, I was a bit nervous from the noise, but 14,000 miles later my car still runs the fine (knock on wood). I also noticed my brothers 99' 4-runner sounds the same, if not, a little bit louder than mines. My mom's brand new sequioa, my dad's 95 T100 and his toyota pick up truck all make that whirring noise.

After riding in their cars I just stopped worrying about the noise. If you keep listening for problems in your car, it's gonna do nothing but frustrate you.

ArmyofOne

heh, well it doesnt exactly go away, it jiust goes so fast that the noise is drowned out by other things.