Matty_Matty

Hi all

Following on from my previous post about a weird exhaust related noise. After many hours of research, it looks like lexus RX300 and highlander 3.0 liter owners are having the same issue.

It looks like it may be one of two things:

1. worn gaskets between the different exhaust pipes

2. a bad flex pipe near the cat converter.

I just looked under my highlander (kluger) and I can't see a flex pipe anywhere on the exhaust system. Surely it would have one, however after searching the internet I can't find anything relating to flex pipes for the 3.3 liter V6 - highlander or RX330. Only the 3.0 liter Highler/RX300 models.

Does anyone know whether there is a flex pipe on the exhaust in the 3.3 liter? Perhaps some of you can go and have a look and/or take a photo.

I'm completely stumped on what this noise could be if I don't have the flex pipe... I am almost certain that the exhaust is oem and has not been modified by the previous owner. I also note that my previous highlander had the same issue.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated as I'd like to try and get the problem sorted before it gets any worse.

Cheers

Matt

I just had a look under my highlander and I can't see the flex pipe (mesh looking thing). Did they change the pipes from the RX300 to the RX330 (which I assume will be identical to the highlander). I am almost certain the noise I'm hearing is relating to the gaskets and/or flex pipe, however I can't see it.

I'm no expert with engines/exhausts/cars for that matter.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Matt

Thank you so much Lenore for your reply and suggestion. I took it to meineke and they have it done for $90.

Hi,

Has the noise gone since you have got the new flex pipe and/or gaskets?

I've got a highlander with this exact issue and will be doing what you've done. Would be good to see if you have had success.

Cheers

Matt

This is the bearing on the Toyota highlander, it is located somewhere between the front differential and rear differential....

At Rock Auto it is about $125, no idea how much to install...

Thanks so much for that. Was your harmonic noise only present when cold and/or for short periods of time? I have a similar noise that has been present only on cold mornings on two highlanders I've had. I thought it was exhaust or cat converter related. Also, it's worth noting that I don't have any vibration or anything like that, just a weird noise.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Matt

I think this might be the same noise I have on my kluger/highlander.

What are the bearings? do you know the approximate cost of replacing them?

Cheers

Matt

Hi everyone

I own a Toyota Kluger, with the same engine and set-up as the Lexus RX330. The engine only has 36,000kms and drives really well. However there is a strange noise on start up in cold weather (eg starting after a cold night) that hangs around for the first 5 minutes or so.

I posted a similar thing in the Toyota forums, see below. Does anyone else have this same thing on their RX330?

Original post:

Hi All

I've had two gen 1 highlanders.

Both have experienced a weird sound in cold weather start up until the engine is warm.

Its a really hard noise to explain... it sounds like a low grumbling when you take off from standstill and last about 3 seconds. It sounds like it could be a loose heat shield... It usually goes away after 5 min of driving.

anyway, my old kluger (highlander) had both cat converters checked as I thought it might have been the honeycomb loose which was rattling at low revs, however when they sliced it the honeycomb was fine. Then i thought it might be the exhaust muffler, but its only when its cold.

does anyone else have this issue (if it is even an issue at all)?

I haven't read anything about it before...

Cheers

Matt