What’s wrong with my Lexus

GymB

GymB

Picking it up slowly.
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
14,727
Location
Waxhaw
Rating - 100%
45   0   0
2008 rx350 with 185,000 miles.

It was in for service, they replaced the control arm bushings because they were torn.

When I get it back it’s making a new whining noise. Pitch increases with speed, but dropping each time the transmission shifts up to a new gear.
They replace a filter screen in the transmission and also 5 qts of trans fluid (my belief being that they lost and replaced some fluid in the process, not that they intended to drain it). The sound persists.

Any ideas?
Any suggestions?
 
Is the transmission fluid at correct level when hot?
 
JimB said:
I don’t think that there is even a dipstick.
Click to expand...
WfWX1bK.jpg


Is this it? Not familiar with the car but found photo online
 
Dipstick location mentioned here.

 
Did they replace the screen and fluid trying to fix the noise, or prior to the noise? The noise could be from the power steering and not the trans.
 
Is your RX awd or fwd? If awd no or low gear oil in transfer case will do that

was the work done at dealer or independent? I’d suggest taking it back to either and asking or at least call
 
11B CIB said:
WfWX1bK.jpg


Is this it? Not familiar with the car but found photo online
Click to expand...
Jeppo said:
Dipstick location mentioned here.

Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I’ll look when I get it back.

Pogue said:
Did they replace the screen and fluid trying to fix the noise, or prior to the noise? The noise could be from the power steering and not the trans.
Click to expand...
Thanks, they did it to address the noise which I noticed, and they confirmed, on a test drive after doing the suspension work. I’ll ask about the power steering.

DaveInCLT said:
Is your RX awd or fwd? If awd no or low gear oil in transfer case will do that

was the work done at dealer or independent? I’d suggest taking it back to either and asking or at least call
Click to expand...
FWD
work done at the dealership.
I have not yet picked it up, the service advisor just said that it’s still making the noise. I’m thinking that I need to call the service manager before doing anything else.
 
This kind of noise is almost always fluid level, or fluid related (pump or torque converter).

EDIT: Are you sure it's the trans? Might be a coincidence a new noise started at the same time. Anything with a bearing could be the culprit (including the power steering pump).

ANOTHER EDIT: Maybe when they changed the fluid and screen they knocked some crud loose which has now restricted a fluid passage. Tell them a flush should be on-the-house.
 
Last edited:
GeorgeBush said:
This kind of noise is almost always fluid level, or fluid related (pump or torque converter).

EDIT: Are you sure it's the trans? Might be a coincidence a new noise started at the same time. Anything with a bearing could be the culprit (including the power steering pump).

ANOTHER EDIT: Maybe when they changed the fluid and screen they knocked some crud loose which has now restricted a fluid passage. Tell them a flush should be on-the-house.
Click to expand...
The screen was addressing the issue of I read correctly
 
Have you had the transmission serviced at the factory recommended intervals?
 
JimB said:
I don’t think that there is even a dipstick.
Click to expand...
My '17 Ford Edge has no dipstick, after refilling, there is a side plug you remove it to let any hot fluid drain out, then plug it up.
 
LeeMajors said:
The screen was addressing the issue of I read correctly
Click to expand...
Correct

SPST said:
Have you had the transmission serviced at the factory recommended intervals?
Click to expand...
yes, all dealer service

Button Pusher said:
My '17 Ford Edge has no dipstick, after refilling, there is a side plug you remove it to let any hot fluid drain out, then plug it up.
Click to expand...
yeah, no dip is a real thing, just need to check my car and can’t do that until I pick it up.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
So they incorrectly diagnosed the problem and the fix didn't correct the issue? I'd say that one is on the house.
Click to expand...

I had that happen with a Ford Ranger once. In 6 different shops 10 different times over a 5-6 month period. Everybody fixed something but nobody seemed to be able to fix the problem. Finally gave up and traded it off.
 
Did a little searching on my Lexus forum.

2009 is the last year for a transmission dipstick with this model. The transmission changed in 2010 to a sealed one

2006 to 2009 transmission model U151E/F was used.
In 2010 the transmission model is U660E
 
BowWow said:
Im guessing they put the wrong amount of fluid back in.
Click to expand...
Maybe, but the problem manifest after they “fixed” the suspension that wasn’t broke, wouldn’t think they’d have messed with the transmission. I really want to put it in neutral are rev it up to see if the whine changes pitch. Didn’t have the energy to fight with them today, maybe tomorrow.
 
JimB said:
Maybe, but the problem manifest after they “fixed” the suspension that wasn’t broke, wouldn’t think they’d have messed with the transmission. I really want to put it in neutral are rev it up to see if the whine changes pitch. Didn’t have the energy to fight with them today, maybe tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Get part of the lunch crew to go with you Friday.

They'll never be the same after that experience.
 
I hope things go good. The dealerships service departments in my area won't get my business for being stealer ships. On most auto transmissions.......dropping the pan and replacing the filter should affect the transmission. 5 quarts sounds more than dropping the pan and replacing the filter. It might be over filled. No way to know for sure without looking. Did they not have your consent to move forward with repairs?
 
BowWow said:
I hope things go good. The dealerships service departments in my area won't get my business for being stealer ships. On most auto transmissions.......dropping the pan and replacing the filter should affect the transmission. 5 quarts sounds more than dropping the pan and replacing the filter. It might be over filled. No way to know for sure without looking. Did they not have your consent to move forward with repairs?
Click to expand...
It’s complicated.
They told me that the clunk I was hearing was the suspension failing, including struts and springs replaced less than 1,000 miles ago. Apparently what really happened was they saw that they weren’t OEM parts and assumed they were the problem. Anyway, they also found that the control arm bushings were torn. Est was like $4500. I told them that I would rather burn the car in their parking lot, but then my wife made me call them back and approve it.

Picked up the car a week later, paid and drove off, suspension problem persisted and we now have the whine the pitch of which is affected by rpms. Took a service manager for a test drive, he agreed the clunk was a suspension problem, they kept it.

A few days later the service advisor calls and says that they found and fixed the suspension. I asked if it was someone’s 10mm socket just bouncing around, he chuckled and said no. He never explained what it was, but transitioned to the whine. Said that it’s a transmission issue, they want to change that screen, that it avoids really costly transmission repairs in the future, and they’ll do it for $180, so I authorize that.

So, at this point I’m happy to pay for the replacement of the control arm bushings and for whatever they did to solve the clunk that I brought it in for, but the other stuff all seems like misdiagnosis and unnecessary work. I do still want them to figure out what’s causing the whine, because it’s still a problem.
 
I’ve had a bad whine in the steering of our Pilot a few times, that I’ve fixed simply by draining some PS fluid and topping off with fresh. But never had it change with the RPMs like you’re describing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom