Rx 350 Noisy Engine

[lexusowner999]

I have a 2010 RX350 with about 9,000 miles. The engine has developed

loud valve and tappet (I think) noise after about 5,000 miles. I am working with Lexus to find a resolution to this problem and have worked with the local service manager, the actual technician and a regional specialist. So far they have given me an answer that I don't think I or other RX350 users are going to like; which is "that's the way the engine sounds". Interestingly, I test drove a loaner with 700 miles (no noise) and a loaner with 12,000 miles (same bothersome noise as my auto). This could be a really big problem for Lexus in that owners buy their product for comfort, power and a quiet ride. This will also kill their off lease sales because all of these cars will sound like a loud sewing machine.

My RX is on lease and I would like them to take it back. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

[RX 350]

I have a 2010 RX350 with about 9,000 miles. The engine has developed

loud valve and tappet (I think) noise after about 5,000 miles. I am working with Lexus to find a resolution to this problem and have worked with the local service manager, the actual technician and a regional specialist. So far they have given me an answer that I don't think I or other RX350 users are going to like; which is "that's the way the engine sounds". Interestingly, I test drove a loaner with 700 miles (no noise) and a loaner with 12,000 miles (same bothersome noise as my auto). This could be a really big problem for Lexus in that owners buy their product for comfort, power and a quiet ride. This will also kill their off lease sales because all of these cars will sound like a loud sewing machine.

My RX is on lease and I would like them to take it back. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

My Lexus RX350 has the same engine noise issues after starting in colder weather, i.e. 30 to 35 degrees. I am sure it is the valve lifters, which used to be a common problem in older engines. The noise goes away when the engine warms-up. My service department claim they have never heard of this problem before. I have not persued the issue further but will follow the replies to your inquiry withn interest.

[tooslo]

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

[SW03ES]

I also agree that its normal...

Have you tried switching to synthetic oil? Higher cold temp viscosity might help...

[tooslo]

I also agree that its normal...

Have you tried switching to synthetic oil? Higher cold temp viscosity might help...

The car comes with synthetic, and it's required (0W20)

[joeb427]

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

Unlike the 3.5L in the IS350,GS350..the RX350 doesn't have direct injection.Nor does the ES 350.

I had the same knocking,rapping problem on my '09 RX350 that started at about 20K miles and only in cold weather till engine warmed up..

Dealer service pulled the the noise won't cause any damage to the engine.

[dales121]

I have a 2010 RX350 with about 9,000 miles. The engine has developed

loud valve and tappet (I think) noise after about 5,000 miles. I am working with Lexus to find a resolution to this problem and have worked with the local service manager, the actual technician and a regional specialist. So far they have given me an answer that I don't think I or other RX350 users are going to like; which is "that's the way the engine sounds". Interestingly, I test drove a loaner with 700 miles (no noise) and a loaner with 12,000 miles (same bothersome noise as my auto). This could be a really big problem for Lexus in that owners buy their product for comfort, power and a quiet ride. This will also kill their off lease sales because all of these cars will sound like a loud sewing machine.

My RX is on lease and I would like them to take it back. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

[dales121]

I have a 2010 RX350 with about 9,000 miles. The engine has developed

loud valve and tappet (I think) noise after about 5,000 miles. I am working with Lexus to find a resolution to this problem and have worked with the local service manager, the actual technician and a regional specialist. So far they have given me an answer that I don't think I or other RX350 users are going to like; which is "that's the way the engine sounds". Interestingly, I test drove a loaner with 700 miles (no noise) and a loaner with 12,000 miles (same bothersome noise as my auto). This could be a really big problem for Lexus in that owners buy their product for comfort, power and a quiet ride. This will also kill their off lease sales because all of these cars will sound like a loud sewing machine.

My RX is on lease and I would like them to take it back. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

[dales121]

i have 2011 rx 350 and also felt engine was noisy. Salesman advised me to use regular unlead when i purchased car BUT if you check your manual it clearly states "for optimum performance use a gas with an octane rating of 91 or higher. (regular has a 87 rating) Continued use of regular gas will result in tapping noise and engine damage!!! i switched to Premium and noticed a difference!! Good luck

[tooslo]

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

Unlike the 3.5L in the IS350,GS350..the RX350 doesn't have direct injection.Nor does the ES 350.

I had the same knocking,rapping problem on my '09 RX350 that started at about 20K miles and only in cold weather till engine warmed up..

Dealer service pulled the the noise won't cause any damage to the engine.

Where did you get that info? I've had two dealers state (in the process of trying to get them to fix it) that they are direct injected. I've not been able to find any other source, but if you're right I'd like to know where the noise is coming from. Like the others, mine started after 10k or so, and initially it totally went away after a mile or so. Now it is significantly louder (33k miles now) and never totally goes away, and it does it in any temperature, after the car sits for an hour or so. If I knew this would happen (or if the demo car I drove had the noise), I certainly wouldn't have bought it. Likewise, it's loud enough that I'm sure I'll never be able to sell it.

[BadBrad]

i have 2011 rx 350 and also felt engine was noisy. Salesman advised me to use regular unlead when i purchased car BUT if you check your manual it clearly states "for optimum performance use a gas with an octane rating of 91 or higher. (regular has a 87 rating) Continued use of regular gas will result in tapping noise and engine damage!!! i switched to Premium and noticed a difference!! Good luck

It's hogwash. 15000 miles on 87 and no issues. 100,000+ on 87 on the last two that recommended 91 and no issues; and I've never heard pinging, preignition or detonation. I push these engines to maximum shiftpoints on a regular basis.

The injectors make noise on cold starts; the noise dissipates as the engine warms. Two weeks back mine sat outside for 3 days at about zero degrees. When I started the engine I thought someone had swapped a diesel under the hood. Five minutes of driving and all was quiet.

The injector noise cannot be mistaken for pinging or detonation, except by neophytes. You won't find a gasoline, internal combustion engine pinging at idle unless it was designed to do so, such as the single cylinder, adjustable compression engine used to test gasoline for octane rating.

[joeb427]

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

Unlike the 3.5L in the IS350,GS350..the RX350 doesn't have direct injection.Nor does the ES 350.

I had the same knocking,rapping problem on my '09 RX350 that started at about 20K miles and only in cold weather till engine warmed up..

Dealer service pulled the the noise won't cause any damage to the engine

Where did you get that info? I've had two dealers state (in the process of trying to get them to fix it) that they are direct injected. I've not been able to find any other source, but if you're right I'd like to know where the noise is coming from. Like the others, mine started after 10k or so, and initially it totally went away after a mile or so. Now it is significantly louder (33k miles now) and never totally goes away, and it does it in any temperature, after the car sits for an hour or so. If I knew this would happen (or if the demo car I drove had the noise), I certainly wouldn't have bought it. Likewise, it's loud enough that I'm sure I'll never be able to sell it.

"The 3.5 uses hydraulic valve lifters that continously adjust valve lash. Further if you look at the schematics for the 2GR-FE engine, the pistons are minimally skirted allowing them to rock within the cylinder, this would especially be true at cold start as the pistons have not expanded to match the cylinder sleeve... The tolerance is tight given the fact the pistons are coated to minimize scuffing and also to try and combat cold start knock... It is minimized, but not completely eradicated, therefore Toyota/Lexus will keep telling you it is normal... The noise is not the injectors nor is it the valves, but these are instead simple explainations for simple people."

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/2251338-post5.html

2GR-FSE

The 2GR-FSE engine used in the Lexus IS, and GS 350, incorporate Toyota's latest D4-S twin injection fuel system. This system combines direct injection with traditional port injection. Using direct injection and port injection simultaneously facilitates more precise mixing of air and fuel under low and medium load conditions for greater efficiency, while high load conditions dictate the use of direct injection alone for maximum power. The 2GR-FSE engine is rated at 315 PS (232 kW; 311 hp) at 6,400 RPM and 38.4 kg·m (377 N·m; 278 ft·lbf) at 4,800 RPM. The engine's service weight is 174 kg.

2GR-FE

2GR-FE engine in the Lexus RX 350

The 2GR-FE is a 3.5 L (3456 cc) version for transverse FWD mounting. Bore remains at 94 mm but stroke is reduced to 83 mm. Reported output varies depending on the vehicle application, but is approximately 266 hp (198 kW) to 275 hp (205 kW) at 6200 rpm with 245 lb·ft (332 N·m) to 257 lb·ft (348 N·m)of torque at 4700 rpm on 87 octane (R+M/2). This version features Toyota's Dual VVT-i, variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams. Valves are driven by roller-follower rocker arms with low friction roller bearings, and a unique, concave cam lobe design to increase valve lift over the traditional shimless lifter type system of the 1GR-FE. This increases overall cylinder head height to accommodate the slightly taller roller rocker system. Moreover, the cylinder head is segmented into 3 parts: valve cover, camshaft sub-assembly housing, and cylinder head sub-assembly. As such, this valvetrain is used across all other GR engines with Dual VVT-i. Its service weight is 163 kg.

[tooslo]

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

Unlike the 3.5L in the IS350,GS350..the RX350 doesn't have direct injection.Nor does the ES 350.

I had the same knocking,rapping problem on my '09 RX350 that started at about 20K miles and only in cold weather till engine warmed up..

Dealer service pulled the the noise won't cause any damage to the engine

Where did you get that info? I've had two dealers state (in the process of trying to get them to fix it) that they are direct injected. I've not been able to find any other source, but if you're right I'd like to know where the noise is coming from. Like the others, mine started after 10k or so, and initially it totally went away after a mile or so. Now it is significantly louder (33k miles now) and never totally goes away, and it does it in any temperature, after the car sits for an hour or so. If I knew this would happen (or if the demo car I drove had the noise), I certainly wouldn't have bought it. Likewise, it's loud enough that I'm sure I'll never be able to sell it.

"The 3.5 uses hydraulic valve lifters that continously adjust valve lash. Further if you look at the schematics for the 2GR-FE engine, the pistons are minimally skirted allowing them to rock within the cylinder, this would especially be true at cold start as the pistons have not expanded to match the cylinder sleeve... The tolerance is tight given the fact the pistons are coated to minimize scuffing and also to try and combat cold start knock... It is minimized, but not completely eradicated, therefore Toyota/Lexus will keep telling you it is normal... The noise is not the injectors nor is it the valves, but these are instead simple explainations for simple people."

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/2251338-post5.html

2GR-FSE

The 2GR-FSE engine used in the Lexus IS, and GS 350, incorporate Toyota's latest D4-S twin injection fuel system. This system combines direct injection with traditional port injection. Using direct injection and port injection simultaneously facilitates more precise mixing of air and fuel under low and medium load conditions for greater efficiency, while high load conditions dictate the use of direct injection alone for maximum power. The 2GR-FSE engine is rated at 315 PS (232 kW; 311 hp) at 6,400 RPM and 38.4 kg·m (377 N·m; 278 ft·lbf) at 4,800 RPM. The engine's service weight is 174 kg.

2GR-FE

2GR-FE engine in the Lexus RX 350

The 2GR-FE is a 3.5 L (3456 cc) version for transverse FWD mounting. Bore remains at 94 mm but stroke is reduced to 83 mm. Reported output varies depending on the vehicle application, but is approximately 266 hp (198 kW) to 275 hp (205 kW) at 6200 rpm with 245 lb·ft (332 N·m) to 257 lb·ft (348 N·m)of torque at 4700 rpm on 87 octane (R+M/2). This version features Toyota's Dual VVT-i, variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams. Valves are driven by roller-follower rocker arms with low friction roller bearings, and a unique, concave cam lobe design to increase valve lift over the traditional shimless lifter type system of the 1GR-FE. This increases overall cylinder head height to accommodate the slightly taller roller rocker system. Moreover, the cylinder head is segmented into 3 parts: valve cover, camshaft sub-assembly housing, and cylinder head sub-assembly. As such, this valvetrain is used across all other GR engines with Dual VVT-i. Its service weight is 163 kg.

Thanks. I missed that. Other than whining about it, I guess it's time to sit down, shut up, and color.

[PEG460]

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

I think that what you are hearing is piston slap. When you start the engine cold the pistons are loose and slap the cylinder walls. As the engine warms up the pistons expand and the noise goes away. My wife has a ES350 and it does the same thing. It is quite common in all brands. They are making the pistons shorter in the newer engines which contributes to this problem. We have not tried the synthetic oil but that may help.