My wife's RX300 (2002) has a high pitched whine associated with the fan. It is still under warranty (25k)and the deal told me I probably need to have the cabin air filter replaced about 180 bucks ( for that kinda money I will attempt to replace the filter myself) I just need a little help accessing it, any clues would be greatly appreciated, or better yet step by step directions.
Clueless in VA
Dandysc3

 

I also have a 2002 RX300 and replaced my filter for the first time a few months ago. I followed the directions I found somewhere on ClubLexus and it was indeed easy to do. $180 for the replacement is nuts in my opinion. I think the filter costs maybe $30 and the changeout takes maybe 10 minutes.

I did my mother's 2002 ES300 filter at the same time, so my memory of the two is unfortunately running together. I got the filter, along with some oil filters and wiper blade inserts, from the PA dealer who does discount mail order.

The A/C filter is behind the glove compartment. Perhaps I've given you enough clues, or maybe another CL member will be more specific.

Bob from Arlington VA

 

Your dealer is full of baloney. Unless you have recently competed in Baja 1000, it's very unlikely that your cabin air filter got clogged so bad to make the fan motor whine. I suggest you remove the cabin air filter first to see if the noise goes away. It's easy and takes only 30 seconds.

Check the link below for cabin air filter removal procedure (with photos):

http://rx300how2.home.comcast.net/ca...air_filter.htm

If you really need a filter, it's about $25-$30. Or buy a $10 3M central AC filter, remove the filter element, and cut it to size (probably good for 6-8 pieces.)

 

First things first... KUDOS to Ed for the RX300 how to site...

Don't spend money replacing filter though,

I removed mine, vaccumed it really well and put the garden hose on mist setting and "misted" all the dust particles away to the point it is 95+% clean. A fine mist should be able to clean the balance of the dust you have on the a/c cabin filter.

I then let it dry very thoroughly and sprayed it with anti-bacterial spray before re-installing it.

NOTE: do not drive car without the a/c cabin filter in place the lack of presence of this filter will cause the a/c cooling fins to get clogged. Keeping a/c cooling system clean of dust and debris is vital to a/c syst***s life.

Whole project took 15 minutes (12 minutes was the drying time- in August )
Cheers,

//Fern

 

dandysc3, the cabin air filter really is very easy to replace yourself. I actually took my cabin filter out once and, since it is a synthetic filter, threw it in the washing machine. It came out very clean and smelling great I was going to do that once and after it was dirty again, buy a new one.

Click here for a link to another thread discussing the RX's cabin air filter. I have linked you to page 2 of that thread, and about 3/4 of the way down I have some pictures of how to access the filter from the glove box.

 

Thanks for you direction, While I did complete the job in less then 10 minutes half of that was looking for my pliers!
95 sc300 65k
02 rx300 25k

 

In my case, half of the 10 minutes was spent taking all the stuff out of the glove box and then putting it all back

 

My cabin air filter is probably the dirtiest in the world because I live in the dirtiest city, Mexico City.

Despite that, I have never had the problem you describe even though my air filter gets pitch black every 3 months.

Even with insane labor costs to replace it, there is no way you could reach $180 at a dealer.

 

Washings a great idea!
I was going to try cutting a Filtrete-type household air filter that gets all the pollen, etc. but I think I'll try the wash first now.

 

I just removed mine and threw it in the washing machine on cold and put it on gentle cause I'm a cheapskate!

I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

well almost good as new, thanks for the tip, mine was filthy.

 

I live in Va. Beach and have Charles Barker Lexus perform MOST of the maint. and service on my wife's 2000 RX 300. I'd like to know who the dealer [ CRIMINAL ] is that charges $180.00 to replace the cabin air filter in your RX 300. My wife bought her 2000 a year and a half ago [ 38,000 miles, Certified Warranty ] and the cabin air filter was changed along with all the fluids and filters. This summer I removed the cabin filter and cleaned it with an air hose [ LOW VOLUME ]; turned out just like new. [ 10-minute job ] An old " car geezer " rule is: if you can see light through a filter by holding it up to the sun [ or a flashlite ] it's probably still efficient. If it's dirty/nasty, etc.....REPLACE IT! I get the cabin filters for my 2001 Silverado at the Pep Boys Auto Center here for about $10.00-$12.00.

 

It is still under warranty (25k)and the deal told me I probably need to have the cabin air filter replaced about 180 bucks

DAMN.........Do you get dinner and a movie along with that?


It should be covered under warranty...but maybe not....
what a way to make a profit. $30 for filter (probably $15 or less dealer cost) - $150 labor (ha) at $85 an hour, must take the dealer around 1.77 hours to do this.

To do this yourself in...let's just say a total of 15min. That would be ohhhhhhhhh around $1000 an hour.
I'm changing jobs.

 

Does the US RX has an active carbon filter to remove odours? I guess not if you are just washing the filter. The UK one doesn't although you can replace the filter and plastic holder with one from the LS/GS/SC which does.

 

You can buy a charcoal air filter from Home Depot, or any hardware store you have in the U.K. It is in the gas heater section and it has one layer of charcoal and synthetic material like the stock filter. You just cut it to size.

Do a search on here for charcoal and filter and you'll see the exact item.