jg 368 48

i've been hearing a loud sound on my 1999 rx300 awd. it doesnt always happen, but when it does it usually VERY loud and obnoxious. it happens more often when it's cold, but it does also happen in the hot summer months too. it also never goes away completely. it gets quieter as i drive, but i can still here it. the faster i go, the faster the sound goes. when i go really slow it's very loud. what is it? any suggestions? someone recommend getting my belts oiled up (i think it was someone from the lexus dealer). what do u think? thanks

TunedRX300

Time to change your serpentine and power steering belts.

Lil4X

If it's the belt squalling, try this very carefully: find a space you can reach the inside of the belt while the engine is idling, and touch it with the edge of a bar of ordinary bath soap a couple of times - all the way across the face of the belt. If the belt is squealing or making noise, this should stop it - at least temporarily. Commercial belt dressings can be a more lasting fix, but based on the age of your RX, it's probably time for a new belt.

If that doesn't seem to fix the problem (or at least change the sound), keep looking - it sounds like something in your accessory drive - power steering pump, AC compressor, water pump, alternator . . . hey, aren't you having voltage problems too?

Lexmex

jg 368 48,

What TunedRX300 and Lil4x mentioned is one of those common things in the RX300 that one cannot noticed on startup and that one can hear later on, the belts.

Cold weather can contract the belts and make the sound. I even notice it a bit down here in Mexico City, where up high the weather is in the 40s and 50s in the morning this time of year.

jg 368 48

i have new belts, however, lexus said that they might not be good because they arent lexus. lexus also said that my car's belts need to b oiled often (i think that's what they said...it's been about 2 months). it even does it sometimes (not as much as it used to) in 90 degree summer weather (mostly just when its colder though).

Lexmex

What they are talking about is a belt dressing to keep the squealing down. When I had my belts changed for the 90K, they squealed for several months and then the sound went away. Mine squealed under warmer weather, too, during the same time period.

TunedRX300

What a stealership explanation, as if Lexus is in the business of making belts.
I think next time they will tell you to breath in only Lexus brand air or you will die immediately
Ask your mechanic to check the tension of belts, too much "play" makes belts squeak.

jg 368 48

hahaha you're probably right! they'll b selling special oxygen tanks and say without them you'll drop over dead...the worst part is is that i'd prob b a big seller