joeb427

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

Unlike the 3.5L in the IS350,GS350..the RX350 doesn't have direct injection.Nor does the ES 350.

I had the same knocking,rapping problem on my '09 RX350 that started at about 20K miles and only in cold weather till engine warmed up..

Dealer service pulled the the noise won't cause any damage to the engine

Where did you get that info? I've had two dealers state (in the process of trying to get them to fix it) that they are direct injected. I've not been able to find any other source, but if you're right I'd like to know where the noise is coming from. Like the others, mine started after 10k or so, and initially it totally went away after a mile or so. Now it is significantly louder (33k miles now) and never totally goes away, and it does it in any temperature, after the car sits for an hour or so. If I knew this would happen (or if the demo car I drove had the noise), I certainly wouldn't have bought it. Likewise, it's loud enough that I'm sure I'll never be able to sell it.

"The 3.5 uses hydraulic valve lifters that continously adjust valve lash. Further if you look at the schematics for the 2GR-FE engine, the pistons are minimally skirted allowing them to rock within the cylinder, this would especially be true at cold start as the pistons have not expanded to match the cylinder sleeve... The tolerance is tight given the fact the pistons are coated to minimize scuffing and also to try and combat cold start knock... It is minimized, but not completely eradicated, therefore Toyota/Lexus will keep telling you it is normal... The noise is not the injectors nor is it the valves, but these are instead simple explainations for simple people."

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/2251338-post5.html

2GR-FSE

The 2GR-FSE engine used in the Lexus IS, and GS 350, incorporate Toyota's latest D4-S twin injection fuel system. This system combines direct injection with traditional port injection. Using direct injection and port injection simultaneously facilitates more precise mixing of air and fuel under low and medium load conditions for greater efficiency, while high load conditions dictate the use of direct injection alone for maximum power. The 2GR-FSE engine is rated at 315 PS (232 kW; 311 hp) at 6,400 RPM and 38.4 kg·m (377 N·m; 278 ft·lbf) at 4,800 RPM. The engine's service weight is 174 kg.

2GR-FE

2GR-FE engine in the Lexus RX 350

The 2GR-FE is a 3.5 L (3456 cc) version for transverse FWD mounting. Bore remains at 94 mm but stroke is reduced to 83 mm. Reported output varies depending on the vehicle application, but is approximately 266 hp (198 kW) to 275 hp (205 kW) at 6200 rpm with 245 lb·ft (332 N·m) to 257 lb·ft (348 N·m)of torque at 4700 rpm on 87 octane (R+M/2). This version features Toyota's Dual VVT-i, variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams. Valves are driven by roller-follower rocker arms with low friction roller bearings, and a unique, concave cam lobe design to increase valve lift over the traditional shimless lifter type system of the 1GR-FE. This increases overall cylinder head height to accommodate the slightly taller roller rocker system. Moreover, the cylinder head is segmented into 3 parts: valve cover, camshaft sub-assembly housing, and cylinder head sub-assembly. As such, this valvetrain is used across all other GR engines with Dual VVT-i. Its service weight is 163 kg.

It sounds like the valve train, but it turns out (according to the dealers) to be one or more of the direct fuel injectors. Dealers (according to several other posts) are not inclined to replace any as the noise is fairly common. Like the previous post said, the marketplace might generate a correction that will get their attention.

Unlike the 3.5L in the IS350,GS350..the RX350 doesn't have direct injection.Nor does the ES 350.

I had the same knocking,rapping problem on my '09 RX350 that started at about 20K miles and only in cold weather till engine warmed up..

Dealer service pulled the the noise won't cause any damage to the engine.

For peak performance and MPGs stay with the recommended premium.

The Buick is bigger and more bubble shaped.

I found the interior to be too busy and gaudy.

Not really a bad car but not for me.

I feel the part looks aftermarket add on and doesn't seem to have that real chrome look.

I am wondering if anyone has put snow tires on a 2008 ES 350 or ar the all season tires that come with the vehicle ok in a upstate New York winter

Man! I think I didn't took out the drain bolt and tried to drain the oil from filter housing. That was the problem. How stupid!!!

Here is another question. Since I already put a new filter and 5 gallon new oil in, should I do another oil change or it is ok for me to drive another 3-4k miles. I change oil every 5k miles. My ES is on 24K mile right now.

Thank you so much!

Nice try! I'm just not buying! There's no way anyone would

even think of doing what you just described! :chairshot: I mean, this is

taking "thinking ouside the box" to a whole new level ... nice writing

Great entertainment! ;)

If somehow true,the OP should not do ANY maintenance himself on the ES.

It doesn't look quite as odd in that picture...

I agree! People get hot under the collar a lot of times when they hear negative reactions...kudos to you for being a good sport...

Steve,don't tell LowNslow that I don't like the red painted caliper. ;) :D

Also, keep in mind that Garmin is in the business of building/marketing GPS receivers, so of course they are going to be more robust and feature loaded, because they are putting more research dollars into it,this also translates into lower cost to the consumer because they offer many different models to choose from, most car manufactures don't put that much investment/research dollars or emphasis in their Nav systems, having said that, they will get you to 90% or better to your destination, obviously the comparison between the two is not equal. The Lexus Nav system IMO is decent. Is it worth $2,500.00? No, it's all about marketing and what people are willing to pay. One last note, most auto Nav systems are integrated systems, meaning that they connect to other electronics/functions. The Garmin is a standalone system. So, there is a little more engineering involved with integrated systems. Yeah, Lexus is going to make us pay for the design and connecting the wires.... <_<

Great points.

another pic, thanks for the responses...good or bad! lol

You're a good sport and class act.

Can you post some pictures? I'd like to see the wider tires on the car...

Here's my 225's for a .4 wider look.Didn't want to go wider than that.

Can't really tell by the pics but the tires do look nicer in person in my opinion.

Which Primacy's? All season or Summer only? How bad is the speedometer off?

I have the Michelin Primacy MXV4 which is a Grand Touring All Season tire.

225/55-17 are .21" of more sidewall height and .4" wider.

Slightly more sidewall height for a bit better ride quality and .4" wider for better look.

Speedometer reads 65 but actual speed is 66 MPH.

Jim's 235/50/17's are very,very close to stock size tires when it comes to speedometer reading.

At 65,he's actually going 64.85 MPH.

His tires are .39" wider than mine and .79" wider than the stock size.

Both our larger tire sizes work well.

I appreciate the replies but don't feel the sport wheel is a good look for the ES.

I just put Michelin Primacy’s on my ES and they are to die for. Quiet as can be, smooth, etc. I am SO happy with the purchase. My mileage did drop a bit, but I don’t care! They are SO smooth!

I just had a set installed a couple of weeks ago too.

Went with 225/55-17.Just missed the $70 rebate. :cries:

These tires are fantastic.Quiet and so smooth.

They are supposed to replace that gasket every time they change the oil as per Lexus specs...

When the dealer charges $150 for an oil change...I absolutely would let them know how displeased I am when they cut corners with THAT kind of profit margin.

Steve,my dealer gets $65 for just an oil change. :)

Do the Garmins have hard drives or ability to store maps locally(just wondering)? How quickly does the map load, does it still take forever to boot up? Are the screens still tiny?

The base maps on the current Garmin Nuvis are stored internally, but I don't think it is on a hard drive. If you need to store more maps locally that are not on the base map, i.e., maps of Europe or maps of Mexico, they are stored on an SD card slot on the side of the unit (actually a micro card in a SD adapter). The extra maps cost about $90.00. The maps on my Nuvis load in about 30 seconds, depending on the view of the sky. Many Nuvis have a 4.3 inch screen, one of mine has a 5 inch screen, which is nice.

I recently bought the update micro card for the wife's Garmin 660's for the RX.The micro card can be used on my son's Garmin 350 too.Very convenient.

If they are only going to offer a basic navigation system, Lexus should say that "our technology is at least 20 years old, but it will take you where you want go to . . . most of the time, and will look good doing it."

I guess everybody's marketing is 100% accurate 100% of the time.

I mean...I would kind of expect Garmin's interface to be better than Lexus' since all Garmin does is make navigation systems. This is kind of like complaining that the stock audio system is not as good as a custom aftermarket component system. Of course its not. But it plays music well and sounds nice. Its all a function of what you're used to. You are used to the Garmin and thus hate the Lexus system. I am used to the Lexus system and thus hate the Garmin...

Go drive say a Mercedes or BMW and compare their OEM nav systems to the Lexus. Lexus and Acura have about the best OEM systems by far.

I'll go with the newer BMW idrive system over Lexus in a heartbeat.

No lockout with NAV or Bluetooth.Radio volume lowers when Nav instructions are given.

I've heard the same thing twice.Sounds like the noise comes from underneath the car between the front and back door on drivers side.

Don't know what the noise is either.Sounds like someone hit the side of the car with a small rock.

Not too concerned but will ask my service advisor what it could be seeing you have the occasional noise too.Might be a common thing.

[My appologies! I'm not sure why you don't notice the lights turning because it is quite evident on mine. There is a couple of buttons under the steering wheel that control the mechanism, maybe it has been turned off?

If the AFS button is set to turn it off, there will be a warning displayed on the instrument panel. I tried using the button on my wife's ES350 because I didn't think hers were working either. I don't drive her car at night very much, if the AFS is working it is not obvious to me.

I read in some document that they turn more to the right than they do to the left, but I don't remember where I read that.

John

Correct.

In a left-hand turn, the left headlamp will pivot up to 15 degrees (the right-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead) and in a right-hand turn, the right headlamp will pivot up to 5 degrees (the left-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead).

So, sort of like this....

Anyway, I can't tell if my 2010 ES 350 is doing this or not.

[My appologies! I'm not sure why you don't notice the lights turning because it is quite evident on mine. There is a couple of buttons under the steering wheel that control the mechanism, maybe it has been turned off?

If the AFS button is set to turn it off, there will be a warning displayed on the instrument panel. I tried using the button on my wife's ES350 because I didn't think hers were working either. I don't drive her car at night very much, if the AFS is working it is not obvious to me.

I read in some document that they turn more to the right than they do to the left, but I don't remember where I read that.

John

Correct.

In a left-hand turn, the left headlamp will pivot up to 15 degrees (the right-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead) and in a right-hand turn, the right headlamp will pivot up to 5 degrees (the left-hand headlamp remains pointed straight ahead).

Sorry,not a fan. ;)

If I went to 18's,I go with these 18" GS Carbon Mettalic's or the same wheel in GS Aluminium Alloy. :D

http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/parts_detail.asp?id=197202

We use a Garmin 660 in our RX and I like much more than the Lexus NAV.

I haven't used my '10 ES on any type of trip yet but when I do,I'll probably take the Garmin with us.

Set the Lexus NAV on the destination and use the Garmin for food,gas,points of interest without having to pull over to input.

It's a shame to have to do this for convenience with any Toyota or Lexus vehicle.

Another dislike of the Lexus unit is the radio doesn't lower volume when NAV voice is giving directions.

In my local paper this morning a Lexus dealer is asking $26995 for a CPO '07 ES350 non UL with NAV and only 17K miles.

This car should easily be able to be purchased for $25K or less.

Asking $22K,you can probably get the car for $20K and maybe less.

I would pass on that ES with UL because the mileage is too high for me.

Yeah I just spoke to my salesman and you can opt out by signing a waiver, but he's trying to convince me have the fix done. I don't mind the s/w upgrade, but I'm hesitant about shaving the foam under the mats. He said you don't even notice the cut accelerator pedal, He also said they anchor the mats to the seat rail, has anyone has this done??..Wouldn't mind seeing a pic if anyone has one. Thanks

When I bought my ES ,the mats were anchored to the seat rail with black plastic ties.

I just had the software update last Monday and at my request, no pedal shaving or carpet work .You're the first person to mention of any mat anchoring which is ridiculous.

I contacted my dealer about setting up an appointment to get the software updated to turn the engine off when the brake AND the gas pedals are depressed at the same time. I told him I only want the software update but NOT to have my gas pedal modified/reshaped nor do I want the floor thinned. He replied, "Please note that the pedal and carpet modification has to be done as part of the recall."

So it looks like I do NOT have a choice. I can't opt out. :-( Anyone else got only the software update without the pedal and floor modification?

I did,Monday.No pedal shaving or carpet work.Just software update.

BTW,I don't believe the engine shuts down.That would be dangerous.The software update just cuts off any accelleration when brakes are applied.

Anyone have a pic of E-Sports wheels on an ES 350?

Sewell has them for $221 after 10% discount.

Would like to see a set on an ES 350.