chiks

In my experience driving 2 stiffly tuned Lexus cars (rx300 and IS250), this bouncy nature can be alleviated by keeping the pressure down by about 2 psi. try it.

Just to make sure...your tank shows full. So it appears that you took the picture right after you filled it up and drove a few miles while it is calibrating the mileage. It often starts out high and as you run through the tank, it "averages" out to somewhere 26-28mph.

*UPDATE* Over the years, I had the feeling this idle vibration issue is due to the idle speed. The dealer even changed the IAC but no difference. I even used techron and gumout numerous times to clean the engine up with no success. Last month, I happened to be at the Goodyear store and saw BG-44K engine cleaner. I got it and dropped it in with 10 gallons of Premium Gas. After a weeks worth of driving, the crazy idle vibration dissapeared. There is still some vibration on the steering wheel, but not any that vibrates the whole vehicle. Holy *BLEEP*. Toyota engines and carbonization seems to go hand in hand. Even my 2008 IS250 which had idle issues got resolved after cleaning the engine.

And the saga continues..... I have a 2001 RX300 purchased 5 years ago CPO. Had only 40K on it. However, like you all observed, I did too get to experience the annoying vibration at idle, when in D. The vibrations would worsen if I stepped on the brakes, putting a load on the system. The vibration is annoying, but the low frequency hum associated with it drove me nuts, so much so that I literally *BLEEP*ed off Lexus Customer service. Well that is what they deserve for *BLEEP*ing a customer off. They had the same answers what everybody is getting..."Lexus has no fix for this". According to them, the engine mounts are great, they replaced the IAC valves, and also the passenger side engine mount. No difference. Email after email, and some threats and suggestions later, I get this response in Jan 2007: Any ways, what I suggested to Lexus it to do something to negate the bad hum (booming sound) associated with the vibration, and we finally decided to attach some weights to the exhaust system to be covered by Lexus if it helps even a bit or I will pay for the parts and labor. Here is an excerpt from the email communication I received after the call. I was right on the money on that one. Don't know the cause of the vibration, which is still there, but the low level mind numbing hum associated with it is now gone. So much for the "world class" engineers at Toyota. Hope this helps a fellow out here.

Same here. My dealer isolated it as a exhaust system vibration, the fix of which is to attach different weights to tune the harmonic freuqncy and reduce the vibrations, which apparently is not covered under the extra care warranty. I even got my dealer to write down on the service report the fix, but Extra care denied it stating that it is not a failed part. Wondering now how to approach this issue......

Does it happen when it is raining? I had the same thing on my 01 300. Apparently the slipping belt in wet weather was causing it.

what is the point of this wood? U lacquer it up on the top and put a plastic backing underneath it. Might as well make it high quality plastic.

there are worse things .... YET to be uncovered in the RX330??

it is the resonance of the exhaust system. Most RX300 suffer from it. no known fix. but this TSB may work for you. NV011-98 Lexus Supports ASE Certification Page 1 of 2 Title: IDLE BOOMING/VIBRATION FIELD FIX Models: ’99 RX 300 Technical Service Information Bulletin August 14, 1998 NV011–98 To reduce noise and vibration at idle speeds, a dynamic damper has been added to the center exhaust pipe for both 4WD and 2WD models. 􀀀 1999 model year RX 300: 2WD manufactured before VIN JT6GF10U*X0007065 4WD manufactured before VIN JT6HF10U*X0015585. OLD PART NUMBER NEW PART NUMBER PART NAME 17420–20130 same Pipe Assembly, Exhaust, Center N/A 17581–46060 Damper, Exhaust Pipe Gasket, Rear (17451–74060) Center Pipe (17420–20130) Damper Bracket Damper Gasket, Front (17451–20020) OP CODE DESCRIPTION TIME OPN T1 T2 NV8024 Install Exhaust Damper 0.2 17581–46060 44 99 170181 R & R Center Pipe Assembly 0.5 17420–20130 Applicable Warranty*: This repair is covered under the Lexus Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in–service date. * Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer’s specific complaint. NVH Introduction Affected Vehicles Parts Information Warranty Information

I drove a brand new Lexus IS250 for a whole week while they "inspected" my RX300.....put about 300 miles on that car....

update: went to another dealer. He diagnosed bad IAC. replaced it. First impression. Vibration is there, but reduced than before.

I have same problem on my 2004 RX330, was told it is the fuel injectors and is a known issue, but so far no fixes ( I was told that 2-days ago when my went in for repair). I have lived with my noisy RX for 2 1/2 years now, and really cant wait till I can get rid if the vehicle , inmy opinion it is just very average and not the high quality I was led to believe. There is a Fix. Check the TSB at for fuel injector rail. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems...PC&type=VEHICLE

exhaust dampers are the problem......

Premium.

OK. This time the diagnostic expert sat with me and agreed that there is a "booming" sound coming when there is load on the engine at idle. Let us see what his solution is going to be.........

O.K. I might get in some trouble here but here are my thoughts....I have a 2001 RX300. I have felt the vibration and noticed it on all of the RX300's I test drove. However, I also noticed it goes away when the engine gets to operating temperature (normal in my mind). .... If this was the case, I can accept it. It is understandable to have some vibrations when the engine is still cold. However, the opposite is the case in my 01 RX300. The vibration at idle is felt AFTER the engine has warmed up thoroughly.!!!!!!

and by the way, I have observed that a relationship gets stronger(more personal attention, willing to listen more serioulsy) once there is a small confrontation/standoff simply to prove a point. Otherwise you will be treated like one more customer in the same queue.....come and go..... eg. my electronics dealer/repair shop I used for getting my repairs done when I was in my teens was amazing ever since I proved to him that his diagnosis of my stereo problem was entirely wrong. I even drew the circuit diagram with calculations to support my "guess". It will hurt them, but I believe it will also make them respect the customer.

nc211, rest assured that is the way I fry asses....curt, polite, supported with information to help them out. It is not my style to be confrontational......I work with the dealers and make them speak what I want to hear, by introducing the right hints at the right places.

Excellent going guys! I did take in to the dealer earlier....before I posted it here. Their reply was "It is Normal"....wtf.....a lexus vibrates like a cheap car and it is normal? I wanted some ammo to get their !Removed! fried and now I have it......I now have Lexus customer rep involved in this issue and I am sure this info will help if they also try to take side of the dealer.....

The vehicle in question is a CPO 2001 RX300 47000 miles, purchased 2 weeks ago. I hope that answers your question :)

It appears that the members in this forum are more inclined to finding a solution to a given problem. I am there fore posting my problem here and hoping that you guys can help me figure out the problem. The vehicle is question is a 2001 RX300 with 47000 miles on it. I am facing a idle vibration problem that is best described as below: 1. Vehicle is throughly warmed up (drove more than 3-4 miles or more) 2. Light switch is on Auto or Off 3. Gear selector is in D 4. Foot on the brake pedal 5. AC is switched off This is the situation when I am waiting at a red traffic signal. At this time, the idle will drop to maybe 600 and the vibrations and the ensuing drone in passenger cabin is unbearable. Now look at the changes in some of the variables and how it affects the scenario: #1: ======== If I switch on the lights (not on auto), the idle speed goes up to ~750 and once again idle vibration is there, but minimal. #2: ======== If I take the foot of the brake pedal and instead use the e-brake, idle speed goes up a bit, ~700-750 and the vibration is there, but minimal. Now what do you think is the probable cause? In my opinion, the mounts are certainly worn as I can feel some vibrations in any case. But the dropping of the idle speed and the resulting increase in vibration is of concern here.

the fact of the matter is that the idle speed should not change that dramatically. The RX300 is not the only v-6 vehicle I have. I also have a Mazda6 V6 that idles so smooth that you would think the engine is switched off. I also had a 4 cylinder 100hp car that exhibited idle speed fluctuation when I switched on the rear window defroster. The RX300 is not a cheapo 4-cylinder, nor a cheapo hyundai. It is a 220hp V6 made by Lexus/Toyota. This is unacceptable and I am sure this is due to a fault in the electrical system somewhere.

Here is the latest run down of when the vibration occurs: 1. Vehicle is throughly warmed up 2. Light switch is on Auto or Off 3. Gear selector is in D 4. Foot on the brake pedal 5. AC is switched off At this time, the idle will drop to maybe 600 and the vibrations and the ensuing drone in passenger cabin is unbearable. Now look at the changes in some of the variables and how it affects the scenario: #1: ======== If I switch on the lights (not on auto), the idle speed goes up to ~750 and once again idle vibration is there, but minimal. #2: ======== If I take the foot of the brake pedal and instead use the e-brake, idle speed goes up a bit, ~700-750 and the vibration is there, but minimal. Now what do you think is the probable cause? In my opinion, the mounts are certainly worn as I can feel some vibrations in any case. But the dropping of the idle speed and the resulting increase in vibration is of concern here.

what is a torque rod?

Certainly. your point is well taken. however, like I described earlier, the fact when I experience this vibration, I observed that the RPM is dropping down and not staying very stable (slight flutter) and when the AC kicks on, the speed goes up and there is lesser vibration. As soon as the AC is disengaged, the idle speed drops down and the dreaded vibration is experienced. doen't sound like the mounts are the prime culprits.