Is this the sign of something bad?
12-30-19, 01:34 PM
#46
Advanced
i just got a second opinion at another shop from a toyota, Lexus, and Asian specialist and apparently it’s actually seems to be the timing chain guide that has broken which supposedly isn’t supposed to happen til around 300,000 miles if it does happen and I only have about 138,000. Argh! Once again I swear I’m cursed when it comes to me and Lexus vehicles!
Last edited by cdnewton; 12-30-19 at 01:37 PM.
12-30-19, 01:39 PM
#47
Lexus Test Driver
i just got a second opinion at another shop from a toyota, Lexus, and Asian specialist and apparently it’s actually seems to be the timing chain guide that has broken which supposedly isn’t supposed to happen til around 300,000 miles if it does happen and I only have about 138,000. Argh! Once again I swear I’m cursed when it comes to me and Lexus vehicles!
12-30-19, 02:03 PM
#48
Racer
Thread Starter
he said it’s over 1000; more like 1500-2000. To me it’s not worth it and I’m not too far away from going over to the “other side”. By that I mean Acura. And yes I know even that brand could have issues such as this come up. But it just seems like no matter what I do: I just can’t win. First it was the 2 300s one of which was totaled out of course; the other had the dreaded first gen transmission failure; then it came to this one which right off the bat I thought would be Scott free so to speak. But then eventually stuff started happening; the high pressure power steering line blew up on me; and there’s the seeping of the transfer case
fluid from the worn out seals; and now this! Why do I have to
be cursed like this!!!!
fluid from the worn out seals; and now this! Why do I have to
be cursed like this!!!!
12-30-19, 02:21 PM
#49
i think you are looking "too deep". All these engines have a "start up " noise. As you have said , a number of experts can not fault the engine. Go with the majority who think your engine is normal.
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RXGS (12-31-19)
12-30-19, 03:17 PM
#50
Racer
Thread Starter
now. I know how it’s supposed to sound. It’s not supposed to sound like it’s “clicking” and or tapping: as that’s the sign of something happening and in this case it apparently seems to be the timing chain guide. This is definitely not normal. And as I said that second look was from a specialist on Lexus and toyota!!!
12-30-19, 05:37 PM
#51
here is the link to a video that i took earlier with the noise Ive been hearing which is much more noticeable when cold
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6iy7Ny2jto
I just showed this video to a advisor at the shop down the street i always go to for oil changes and he was saying that it could be a oil pump which if thats the case i might as well trade in this rx350 for a different one as damage could have already happened due to lack of oil. Or he said it could be a exhaust gasket which if thats what it is still wont be a cheap fix but it would be a lot better than having to either get a whole new replacement engine or have this one rebuilt due to how expensive it would be. I swear!!!! lately it seems like me and "used" vehicle just dont seem to get along!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6iy7Ny2jto
I just showed this video to a advisor at the shop down the street i always go to for oil changes and he was saying that it could be a oil pump which if thats the case i might as well trade in this rx350 for a different one as damage could have already happened due to lack of oil. Or he said it could be a exhaust gasket which if thats what it is still wont be a cheap fix but it would be a lot better than having to either get a whole new replacement engine or have this one rebuilt due to how expensive it would be. I swear!!!! lately it seems like me and "used" vehicle just dont seem to get along!!!!
12-31-19, 08:04 AM
#53
Racer
Thread Starter
well to find out for sure i have to wait til friday evening when i am going to leave the car with a shop overnight so they can see what it is first thing in the morning when its cold. From the sounds of things its either the timing chain guide thats gone bad possibly; or a bearing in the water pump, or one of the other pulleys down in there going bad which will still not be a cheap fix but its a lot more doable then a timing chain guide at which point yer basically looking for a new engine because cost wise thats in the thousands of dollars.
12-31-19, 08:06 AM
#54
Racer
Thread Starter
exactly my point. u obviously heard the noise in the video i posted; so there is definitely something going on; but what that something is i wont know til next saturday at the earliest as they cant look at it til then.
12-31-19, 08:57 AM
#55
Timing chain guide failures are almost unheard of with this engine across the board. As i said earlier, you are hearing a noise and assuming a total engine failure, when in reality, it is more likely a bearing noise in anything from the waterpump to an idler pulley, and thats if there is even something wrong.
12-31-19, 09:22 AM
#56
Racer
Thread Starter
Timing chain guide failures are almost unheard of with this engine across the board. As i said earlier, you are hearing a noise and assuming a total engine failure, when in reality, it is more likely a bearing noise in anything from the waterpump to an idler pulley, and thats if there is even something wrong.
supposed to sound the way it does on cold startup
12-31-19, 11:16 AM
#57
Lexus Test Driver
I've done timing chains for customers back in the day and never enjoyed doing any of them- not fun or my cup of tea lol
I know nothing about the chain on this model because mine has a belt-is there a cost effective way to remove a cover or access somewhere
and check for play in the chain to rule out a broken chain guide?
Edit: I only mention this because the OP brought it up and made me wonder what I'm in for when I upgrade to a RX350 lol
I know nothing about the chain on this model because mine has a belt-is there a cost effective way to remove a cover or access somewhere
and check for play in the chain to rule out a broken chain guide?
Edit: I only mention this because the OP brought it up and made me wonder what I'm in for when I upgrade to a RX350 lol
Last edited by Margate330; 12-31-19 at 11:42 AM.
12-31-19, 02:55 PM
#58
Racer
Thread Starter
Well from what I gather usually the chains on the 350 like mine are usually bulletproof and never usually need to be changed out. Plus if it ever did need to be it’s not a cheap proposition to get it done be from what I understand it’s at least 1000-1500 bucks as the engine has to be taken out.
01-01-20, 10:08 AM
#59
Racer
Thread Starter
Well Next Saturday I have a appointment to drop off my car and get a rental so they can figure out what it is but it’s either probably a bearing or exhaust leak or something
04-01-20, 08:16 AM
#60
I don't feel so bad about mine now after listening to some of the videos posted here! Mine just started sounding like a diesel powered sewing machine recently. I've not had it long. I hope this is nothing bad, I kinda like the old beast.