lenore

Did you check the fluid level to make sure it is not too low? Like I said earlier, maybe marginal level and lost pump pressure till you increased rpm.

Try disconnecting the battery for about 30 minutes, apparently it well reset the CPU and that may be the source of your problem. It has fixed some others on this site. another problem may be debris in the flap door. I notice you are from CT maybe you have some leaves debris in the heater area.

I thought that delay was common in the RX330. At least the one we drove as a loaner had that problem. If you were on a hill however, maybe the fluid is marginally low and lost pressure.

Wow the exact same symptons I have on my RX300 with 133k miles. I know the drive system is way different on your vehicle, but if you find some suspension joints worn tell us which ones. I jacked my car up and tried to move the tires from top to bottom, but got absolutely no play. But the Lower ball joints could still be bad. I guess you need to use a pry bar and try to move them under the car. I havent tried this yet. Good luck.

No the vibration is still there, between 45 to 65 miles per hour. I havent had time to replace any motor mounts, but I think I will order the dogbone one. I am going to jack the car up again and take a pry bar to the lower ball joint to see if it moves. But other than that still living with it. thanks and enjoy your car shopping (like pulling teeth)

Wow, my 99 RX300 at least doesnt have any rattles or noises. Still a very quiet car after 133k miles. Transmission was its only downfall other that a pain getting to the oil filter. RX NC good luck in your quest. Funny how the little women get their impressions of a vehicle. But I remember it was I that steered her to the Lexus because the Mercedes had such a poor track record. First year models, not good. Have a good one.

When you took the coil packs off, maybe one of the wires is broken at the connector or internally after disturbing it. Look very closely at the connectors. Also the Coil pack connection to the spark plugs, look for signs of arcing. Sometimes it helps to put dielectric grease on the connection to prevent any moisture and possible arcing. Please note also dont use Bosch plugs, they suck bigtime and act exactly the way you discribed your failure. NGK or Nippondenso only.... Look very close at the wiring to Piston number 3....and the cops for arcing.

there is an external cooler on the awd, but it is located in the fender well under covers with very poor ventilation. The Air intake is blocked by the windshield washer bottle. Your car with 15k changes will hopefully help. good luck

The puff of smoke can be a indicator. When the seals go oil goes out the exhaust. This shows on start up because the catalytic converter is not hot enough yet to burn the oil. Eventually the cats will become clogged with oil and may have to be replaced if bad enough. Maybe that is what your mechanic was trying to tell you. The cats get so hot that they will burn evidence of oil leaking pass the seals. however your oil useage will go up.

Well as of today I have only 8 people on my list for transmission failures with another couple that I know personally. The list is growing but quite slowly, but on the internet their are a lot of different folks that have experienced the RX300 dreaded tranny failure. Lexus is not willing to back this product, and I dont see them doing so in the future. Many of these 8 folks are ready for a class action lawsuit to apply pressure, but I dont know how that is started and have never participated in one. Time will tell. Make sure you continue to file your complaints with the NHTS board and Lexus of America. Thank you Thomas Keen

The motor mounts? I guess it could cause some vibration, The dog bone appears Ok, but from reading on the ES300 forums I know the rubber does break down. I will take a closer look.

I have tried to isolate a vibration from the front of my 99RX with 133kmiles. I jacked the car up and could not feel any play in the wheels. However checking the Axle shafts seems real difficult to diagnose. I know the UV joints have a certain amount of play but I could not tell whether they are good or bad. By the Way the tires where rotated and balanced for this problem, but it did not fix it. The Steering rods seem tight also. I get a very small vibration through the steering wheel and a faint humming noise above 48mph to about 65 miles per hour. The axle play in the tranny feels the same as when the transmission was replaced about a year and a half ago. Any ideas anybody.

sail

I used synthetic blend for the first 90K miles on my Lexus and switched to full synthetic Mobil 1 at that mileage. I now have 133k miles on the car and still use no oil between changes. My experience has been that 3k to 4k oil changes and a good engine will generally not use oil. I had a mercedes 190E that used no oil at 155k miles after I rebuilt the engine at 101k miles because of poor maintenance. (I purchased vehicle with 99k miles on engine) Oil useage can be at the rings, valve stem seals, and leaks. If any of these components are out of speck you will use oil. I have a new ford f150 that uses oil and I suspect Ford does a lousy job on manufacturing the 5.4 liter engine. So there be it. When the manufacturor tells you engines use some oil that is a cover for poor design. Piston rings and valve stem seals are made of the latest materials unlike our fore fathers had in their cars. You should not use a quart of oil between changes.

the numbers in order from top to bottom on the part are 12594452 Denso 149100-7160 03H06 this is what appears on the sensor, I have not put it in the car yet, sorry.

Try buying a rubber strap wrench to hold the cranshaft pulley, they work great and can be purchased at Harbor Freight tools or Sears or any good tool store for less than $20.

So the tranny saga goes on, Shame, Shame Lexus of America. Have you filed your complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Board Today?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

The part is about $280 I thouht. Check Lexus of Plano TEXAS on line. by the way I tried fixing the part, but it is a no go, just plain worn out. Had to replace it. I just looked, $269 but I would call and ask if this is the Lock assembly because that is what you need. Kind of a pain to replace, removing door panel is the real challenge.

When you take it to Lexus tell them you expect them to replace the transmission on good will since they have performed all service. Use this technique and I wish you the best of luck. If they do not want to do it tow it too a independent transmission shop and save yourself a lot of money. Lexus will soak you for around $4300 for a rebuilt transmission. Also dont forget to file your complaint with NHTS board. We need to show a high failure rate. Also call Lexus of America and write and phone your displeasure with your failure. But definetly try the first technique of what you expect. RX of NC had success with this.

Could the battery be going bad? Or maybe corroded terminals. Would be my first check.

Hey RX nice write up, wish you luck with your endevor. First year model kind of shakey (my RX300) but Accura did stand behind their product when it failed so maybe it will be OK. I agree with the Low profile tires, plus I find the regular tires ride better, maybe just a mental thing. Premium fuel also a negative, but did you read Consumers review? they generally liked the car. Something about the dash they didnt like, but oh well. Have a great Christmas. Tom

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.... Hope all your families are well and God Bless!!!!

I agree with you wholeheartedly, Synthetic any brand has to better better than dino oil, That is why I too use Walmart brand. Merry Christmas.

No one really answered your question, I too use the Walmart brand synthetic, I do not know who makes it for Walmart, but would be interesting. I also use Mobil 1. Just depends on my expenses for the buying day. I put synthetic in both my RX300 and my Ford F150. My RX300 has 132kmiles and no sign of sludge.

Thanks I appreciate your feedback, I hope here in the left coast of California the same is true. Tom