DustoffMedic

The BW ( Beautiful Wife ) and I have been owners of a '99 RX300 for the last 8 years. Yes -- bought it "previously enjoyed" and it's currently got 161,000 on the odo. BW has loved its capabilities in snow and adores the heated seats. Me -- I got disillusioned fairly quickly when the oil consumption started to be a real problem. A quart of oil for a 300 mile round trip was getting to be a nightmare. I used AutoRx and the issue improved, somewhat, but without a warranty and us both being "geezers" I felt I've been skating on thin ice for far too long. Bw and I went to our local Hyundai store this past Saturday, just to look mind you -- but we wound up trading the RX ( plus a small wad of ca$h ) on a 2014 Santa Fe Sport. Sorry --- but the 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty was the big tipping point. Plus BW's still got her heated seats. To all of you who offered clear and excellent advice on keeping the RX running -- I thank you so much! Best wishes. Old Army Dustoff Medic VN, 1966-1968

I have a '99 RX300 with 159,000 miles. I've had really excessive oil consumption issues for a long long time. I went to AutoRX this past summer, did the initial process and changed the PCV ( which was REALLY clogged ). Power improved, and at the 1st oil change ( I changed the PCV again ), I saw a lot of sludge draining out with a lot less oil discoloration on the stick after. I'm due for my maintenance phase with AutoRX and as soon as the outside temp gets above 15 I'll do it, but I still am burning a quart of oil on any trip of 200 miles! I'm using Castrol GTX 5W 30 non-synthetic. My mechanic says the sludge removal can cause higher consumption and suggested going to 10W 30. Does anyone have any thoughts on why I'm continuing to have such high comsumption?

My '99 RX300 - 157, 650 miles -- has developed a loud "roaring" sound on cold startup. I first thought it was the worn alternator belt. I replaced that but the noise returned when cold weather arrrived. Next, I hhad the car put on a lift to check the exhaust system -- no problems there. The noise goes away after the car is warmed up. The mechanic who checked the exhaust suggested it might be the alternator bearing or the L side fan bearing. I checked last night after it had been idle all day and the fan wasn't running but the noise was very loud at the R side front of the engine ( pass. side ). Timing belt was replaced at 125,000, I do my own oil changes and just did one at 156,000 along with a PCV valve replacement. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I hate to have my local dealer just hang parts on it.

It's been awhile since I asked anything here -- but here's a possibly dumb question: This AM, my wife couldn't get her 1999 RX300 started. I checked and all the electrics worked and it wouldn't even click as if trying to start. I moved the shifter to neutral and, Viola!, it started. After I shut it down it did it again, this time even in neutral. I waited a few minutes and it started in neutral. Took it for a drive, about 20 miles and it works normally.It's been hot here -- over 95 for several days. The battery checks out fine -- it shifts OK, everything works -- anyone have any ideas? The car has 140,000 miles, fresh oil change, new tranny fluid/filters.

Hey thanks, I'll try that! maybe some good old-fashioned torque will save me some ca$h. This car has been great ( so far ), wife loves the winter traction. I was a little leery of buying a car with high mileage but after doing a lot of routine stuff like changing the tranny fluid, coolant flush, etc. it seems to be fine except for that dratted clunking. I'll post here with results. Thanks to all.

Thanks for the help. I just spent slightly over $600 on new pads and rotors, so what's a couple hundred more? :) I'll call the shop and prepare my checkbook.

This may have already been addressed, and if so I apologize. My wife's '99 RX300 ( 133,000 miles ) has an annoying clunking/banging sound when being driven on any road that's not perfectly smooth. I checked underneath and can't find anything loose or hanging down. It seems to be coming from the front end; steering and braking are not affected, but the noise is driving us batty! A local shop says replacing the front bushings MAY solve the problem. Does anyone else have this problem, or know of a solution? Thanks.