oubobcat

Hello, new to the forum with a question

We just bought an 08 RX 350 the seems to run greate. However, we are getting a whirring noise on decel. This noise lasts from 65mph down to 20mph when coasting. It only stops once the torque converter disengages.

The tires are stock with 26,000 miles on them. As the car was used, not sure if this is road noise from the tires or if this is really tied to an engaged torque converter.

Great forum and thanks for any advice.

Lex2000TL

If you suspect tires, then it is quite easy to confirm:
Take your RX on nice and safe road and shift your tranny to neutral and coast and listen. Typically, stock Michelins will have pronounced road noise after about 20K to 25K miles on them. This is especially noticeable on concrete, less on asphalt.

kiwi

there is a TSB for trannys, software only, that might help.

also, what is the trim level? sport? the sport model comes with a shiftable auto, might help to diagnos

Rainbird

A 2008 would still be under factory warranty. Take it to the Lexus dealer and get their opinion.

oubobcat

Much to my dismay the Lexus dealer told me this morning that the transmission is shot. They placed the car on a rack, tested it, and the transmission was making very loud knocking and need to be replaced.

I can't describe how unhappy I am about this.

oubobcat

Forgot to mention, this was a certified pre-owned (not that it matters) and we haven't even made the first payment.

I thought Lexus was quality?

Rainbird

It is quality and what happened to you is rare. Remember, you don't know how this car was treated by the previous owner. Fortunately, it's a CPO and fully covered by warranty.

Rainbird

I assume they provided you a "loaner vehicle"? I have a 2007 350RX with nearly 40,000 miles and have had only one issue of a rattle that the dealer fixed. I am as most RX owners, very satisfied and would definitely buy another RX in the future. This forum is an information and troubleshooting discussion. There must be over a million of the RX series on the road today. The few transmission problems posted here are unique to that vehicle and don't in any way show a trend.

oubobcat

They did give us a loaner. The also said the top tech or whomever would evaluate it on Monday and that they would be ordering the new trans (lets hope that is all).

Will the trans be "new" or will the put rebuilt in it?

kiwi

pretty sure you will get a rebuild, new ones are rare and very expensive

oubobcat

If I get a rebuilt then I do not trust this vehicle. I'll take the loss on something else.

salimshah

It seems your expectations are for a "new" transmission. Talk to the dealer to get it clarified. Typically it is a refurbished transmission. You may feel differently, but a properly refurbished transmission can be as good as a new transmission [you had a new transmission at one time and it failed within warranty period].

Very Important: Have the main seal replaced as well [even if you have to pay for it].

Salim

oubobcat

That is my concern. Why did the rebuilt transmission fail, who rebuilt it, how do they know it was reassembled correctly, for press-fit parts how were they removed and replaced, were all parts replaced, how many miles were on the components.

I do not want a rebuilt transmission and I will not accept a rebuilt transmission that has more miles than my car does now.

I will check on the main seal. Thanks for the advice.

redrocks

Actually it does matter, the fact that it is a CPO'd Lexus, this is one of the things Lexus should have checked. What else did Lexus miss for the CPO inspection (frame damage, etc.).

redrocks

Here's the Lexus CPO Checklist and check page 4 under "Engine Mechanical". One of the checks is for "Transmission noise (whines, clunks)".

I would take the thing back and get a refund.