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Similar ticking noise in RX300s. It is some motor in the dash board. Broad coverage in LexusClub forum Mine is intermittent.

The Transmission in RX300 2001 is U140F on AWD and U140E on 2 wheel drives. Mine broke last week and was overhauled - there are overhaul kits available. I too was changing the ATF regularly and with Toyota ATF. It is not the ATF. The problem is the pump in the Torque Convertor according the the guy who repaired mine. Mine was the 10th RX he did and recommended I put in a "heavy duty" TC adding $280 more. He maintained it was weak TC in RXs that caused early failure, and all else is good. Mine failed at about 70k only. I did go for the "heavy duty TC." I guess this is the fix in 350 models. All came under $1500 below dealer quotes. He put in Dextron, not Type 4 because he maintained there is no difference. The kit he used is the common kit made by a company for Toyota, Lexus and some GM vehicles. He has warrantied for 40k when I will go back to him for service, and until then nothing to do even if I pulled a trailer. He is so sure. I am lucky to find a mechanic who knows what he is doing. He runs his own Transmission Repare shop. No part came from Toyota or Lexus.

Really cool.

--- Not good news. I had posted a similar whinning noise issue a month ago but had no response. MIne was runnign fine as well apart from the whinning. But I now know what it was. The whining comes from the transmission torque converter (there is pump in there that goes). I had taken it to a mechanic who had said it sounded like timing belt but "bring it back when the CEL or some light starts flashing." Well, no light ever came on, and within another 200 kilometers (canadian) the gears started slipping, mainly number 2. It will seem like you are going over a small hump. Then one morning it would barely move. Towed to a mom & pop transmission shop and here is the whole story: (1) The torque converter was cooked up. Easy diagnosis for this folks. Showed me one in their shop. (2) Fix was to overhaul the transmission, no other way because the broken particles from the TC were everywhere in the Transmission. (3) They had experience with 9 other RX300s - same issue in all. Also the senior (pop) said the same problem on ES300s and Ford Explorers. He had been fixing all these over the years. (3) He recommended I replace the TC not with the OEM TC but another one which he said is "heavier duty." His has concluded that RX and ES and FOrd Explorers a weak TC in between the engine the the transmission. Cost another a few hundred extra. I went for it because he maintained that those who had taken his advice didn't show up but those wh0 didn't were back within 2-3 years. (4) He overhauls transmissions himself wiith two juniors. He did mine with an overhaul kit which is made for Toyota, Lexus and GM transmission on some models. Showed me all that comes in there in terms of seals etc. Put in new TC and that was it. Came $1500 below dealer quotes and $1000 below franchise transmission shops. Actually invited me to be present at all times but I couldn't because of work. Had the vehicle out in a day and half. (5) Drives like new. I have only doen 118k kilometers (about 70k miles) (6) Has warrantied for 40k kms and said he knows that I will not see him again for another 100k or so. Let's see. (7) Interesting this fellow maintains there is no difference between Toyota Type 4 oil and the Dextron, He puts in Dextron in all. And it s not the oil changes, but the weaker TC pump, according to him. So, go to a transmission shop fast while you are still driving and get it checked out.

I have 2001 Rx, roughly 90k miles. Runs great but when I rev up either parked or driving, I hear a whining noise. It sounds like there is air-valve that is not able to breathe clearly, but this is my guess. The location on air-filter side. AND this happens louder when the engine is not fully heated. As it heats up, the sound dies down. On a cold day the noise is louder. Any hints will be much appreciated. thanks in advance folks