Sc 300 Engine - Pinging Noise Just Before

[matt]

I have a 1999 SC 300. When under a load, just before shfting to the next gear, I hear a pinging noise in the engine. I only run premium, as directed. Any ideas what may be the problem? solution?

[JDOwen2]

Is the engine tuned? Recently? The way the oil companies are operating right now you may have paid for premium but got regular.

[AWJ]

To hard to diagnose without being there. I'd start by looking for anything loose.

[Sadistic]

One of my friends had the same thing.. It was a shim... I think. It would clatter at about 2100 rpm, stop at 3400, and it would do the same thing at shifts. I don't remember exactly what it was, but I'm more than sure it was valve train clatter.

[wbb1772]

I have a 1999 SC 300. When under a load, just before shfting to the next gear, I hear a pinging noise in the engine. I only run premium, as directed. Any ideas what may be the problem? solution?

I have a SC300 too. It just started pinging about 45 days ago. I had the 15K maint. about 6K ago. I have not sent to dealer, no time. I am using high test(91) from Cheveron. I just did an oil change and cleaned the K&N filter. I have an AUTO. When running the RPM below 2100 + or - 200 I can hear the ping when lightly accelerating. If I gas it, the ping goes away after about 2100- 2400. After that my acceleration will not ping, light or pressured. I am lost. My ping is low RPM light acceleration.....

[VGR]

A common cause of pinging in an older fuel injected Toyota / Lexus is that the engine temperature is running slightly hotter than it used to. The two common causes of this condition are a gradual loss of radiator cooling efficiency due to years of using aftermarket antifreezes and / or use of an aftermarket 195 degree F cooling system thermostat in place of the factory original 180 degree F thermostat. So first check to see you have a factory original type thermostat and then check to see if you have genuine Toyota Red Long Life Coolant in the radiator. If not and you can see crusty white buildups of mineral deposits on the edges of the radiator core tubes then you'll need to buy a new radiator. Lastly, make sure your engine is equipped with factory original spark plugs and not some offbrand like Champion or Autolite.

[UCF3]

One of my friends had the same thing.. It was a shim... I think. It would clatter at about 2100 rpm, stop at 3400, and it would do the same thing at shifts. I don't remember exactly what it was, but I'm more than sure it was valve train clatter.

<_< I don't think I've ever come across this one before.

Can someone describe this sound, and possibly the part that's making this noise?

thanks

I don't think it can be the fuel. Then the pinging noise would continue during higher RPMs.

[wbb1772]

A common cause of pinging in an older fuel injected Toyota / Lexus is that the engine temperature is running slightly hotter than it used to. The two common causes of this condition are a gradual loss of radiator cooling efficiency due to years of using aftermarket antifreezes and / or use of an aftermarket 195 degree F cooling system thermostat in place of the factory original 180 degree F thermostat. So first check to see you have a factory original type thermostat and then check to see if you have genuine Toyota Red Long Life Coolant in the radiator. If not and you can see crusty white buildups of mineral deposits on the edges of the radiator core tubes then you'll need to buy a new radiator. Lastly, make sure your engine is equipped with factory original spark plugs and not some offbrand like Champion or Autolite.

I have the proper collant and thermostat. I guess the plugs may be an issue. I do not think th eplugs were changed, reciept doesn't say which means "no" to me. I have done plugs an american cars for years aand on hondas. Where the heck are the plugs on an SC300. I am mechanically capable but I must be blind right now!. I am sorry to sound like a block head. THis is the first Lexus I ever owned and I am still learning about it.