i just reached 1000 miles and noticed in the last 100 miles that there's a ticking/tapping noise. can't hear it outside but noticeable in the interior. at first i thought it was because of the cold temps in nj. but it hasn't gone away (although it's still very cold).

so i brought the rx in for the 1000 mile service. the service guy says it is common in the 02 and 03 models. he mentioned that the sound deafening materials were able mask many noises except this particular sound. i've been told that it might be a permanent thing unless lexus comes out with a tsb.

is my dealer service guy full of bs or is this an issue others have? please share similar stories. does anyone have a fix?

 

pierce, I have an '03 and notice the same thing. Where does yours eminate, mine seems to be engine-related as when idling if I slightly increase the engine speed the noise speeds up like a poorly adjusted valve?

 

glad i'm not the only one.

anyone else have the ticking noise?

 

In December I noticed it once and wouldn't you know, after reading this thread the other day, I happened to hear it again!

Definitely engine speed related, first heard at idle when engine is cold. Turned off the blower and radio to hear it better. Seemed to go away when warmed up.

Let's see, it could be valve related, sticky or not lubed well when cold - hope it is not a sign of sludging like low oil pressure when the oil is thicker. :eek:

Next time I'm going to search for it on the engine with a listening device!

 

Ed, hope it isn't sludge-relataed on my new '03 with 1.5k!

Let us know if you locate it, will do same here.

I can't say it is very loud, but annoying especially on a new car.

 

It's normal. You can hear it even when it only got 5 miles on the car especially when it real cold outside. The tapping noise sound like the injectors pluse. I think the way the back bank of the engine is way underneath the wiper motor tray( or housing) make the noise echo. Just my .02

 

Geez... nobody uses the "search" function anymore on these message boards... no wonder I don't post anymore

The ticking noise is exactly as described by VVT-i... it's the fuel injector solenoids clicking on and off... the funny thing is that you can't hear it from the outside... what happens on the inside is that the sound dampening materials and the firewall filter out all the other engine noises EXCEPT the frequency that the injectors produce.

I've had three different Lexus Master Techs confirm this. Plus others have discussed this here and confirmed this.

Research.... it's a lost art.....

 

I actually read all threads with posts in them for '02 and I racall reading yours. And the search function we have here is one of the best I've seen.

For the rest of us, we can go to the previous discussion to read up on the findings.

Hard to believe the injector noise really comes into the cabin.


TC - Many thanks....

 

Now that I am tuned in to this noise I really heard it tonight, jumping into the car at 18F on the screen (this means about 15-16 as the car is biased high about 3 degrees F). While warming the car up a few minutes I really noticed this sound. There must be a sound filter that would filter this higher frequency sound better?

 

I notice a ticking noise outside the car (sounds like the fuel injectors), but I never noticed any ticking on the inside of my 2002. The one thing I have noticed with this crazy cold weather is a resonating sound inside that's coming from the engine when in drive and on the brake. It's almost as if the idle is too slow. If I hit the gas just a little at the same time to bring the rpms up another 100 or so, it smooths out and goes away. I notice the resonating (vibration) in the steering wheel also. With warmer weather (above 20), it disappears. Seems that the car is much more tempermental when the temp is below 20 degrees.