Hi folks, hope you're well. I could make this brief but I may as well give you some colour. This will also serve as therapy for me.
TLDR: does anyone's RX make a high-pitched, audible (but not too loud) metallic whining noise above 45mph or so? Is my hybrid system in peril? Do any independents fix hybrid systems?
Week 1
After much research on this forum, I bought a 2010 RX450h SE-L Premier with just over 104k on the clock, in "Windsor Blue" with cream interior. I think I paid a reasonable price from a dealer in Leicester. Ultimately, I was happy to risk potential air suspension costs for all the toys and the trim I wanted.
Good vibes from the dealer - not spivvy. Single owner from new, the dealer says. Full Lexus service history. He even gave me the VIN so I could look it up online. Confident in his wares! Service and hybrid health check only 6 months prior (albeit over 10k miles ago). Only trivial warranty claims in the history. Faded Lexus badge anyone? Car comes with a 6 month warranty from "Handler Protect". Who knows how comprehensive this is, but it's better than nothing.
Didn't notice anything on the (low speed) test drive, and yes, the dealer was willing to give a little on price, so decided to take the plunge. The car screamed "motorway miles" to me. Given Lexus' well-earned reputation, I was comfortable with the mileage. I didn't notice anything on my drive home down the M1.
Week 2
Some impressions. It's a stunning vehicle in my view. It's a credit to Lexus design that it still looks contemporary (sans aggressive front end, so fashionable in 2019). Apart from the gently worn (but undamaged) leather, you might mistake it for a new car, inside and out. I've attached some of the dealer photos.
It drives beautifully. I like the air suspension. It doesn't feel floaty on the motorway at all (because it auto-lowers at speed I believe). There's surprisingly little roll when cornering. Doesn't feel good over speed bumps though! The reviewers got that one right.
I really like the rumble of the V6 just as much as the silence of the electric glide. Apart from when I almost reversed into a bloke for the first time. That was startling for us both. You really must prepare for pedestrians crossing when they would otherwise remain staring at their phone.
You don't realise you need a HUD until you have one. Being able to keep your head up and eyes somewhat on the road for speedo and satnav seems to make driving less fatiguing.
With £150 VED and a free parking permit (a privilege Westminster Council reserves for "alternative fuel" vehicles), I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I've been patting myself on the back.
Week 3
The car had an odd combo of Dunlops and Bridgestones on; the Bridgestones were worn and I don't like either of them anyway. The alignment was out too. So I had my trusted local garage fit Crossclimates all round and do an alignment. These guys were servicing a classic Rolls as they complimented me on my purchase. They thought I'd bought well. ULEZ expansion was the talk of the garage. It's really going to hit the many pre-2015 Range Rover drivers hard. What a crying shame.
In fact, as I write these words with my window wide open, a Land Rover Disco is making a drop off (people and/or drugs) across the street. It sounds like a piece of farm equipment while idling.
In any case, these changes seemed to reduce road noise even further and certainly improved the general feel. It also seemed to help my mpg. I'm getting what I consider amazing economy between fills, including one at 39 mpg, all with the AC on. This is due in part to the prevalence of 50mph zones on the M1 (radar cruise, how did I ever live without you?) and some basic hypermiling techniques gleaned from YouTube. Without AC and improved technique, I actually think I could get near the official ratings.
I was so very chuffed with myself. Until...
Week 4
V5C finally arrived. 3 former keepers. Hmph. Limited Company, to husband, to wife, perhaps? Or was the dealer just spivving it up? I'm ****** off, but the car is perfect, so far.
Week 5
I strap my dog into his nifty booster seat in the back, and take a run up to Lancashire to visit the folks. Traffic is absolutely horrendous, but for the first time in my life, it doesn't bother me. I think this is the Lexus way. It's also the first time I've owned an automatic, so that helps. But this is different to previous autos I've rented.
On the smoother surfaces, there is very little noise in the cabin. I start to hear a strange sound. A high-pitched, metallic, whining, whirring noise. It's constant, but seems to spin up and spin down with speed, above about 45mph. It's not very loud, but once you've focused your attention on it, it can't be ignored. My general paranoia is now in full bloom, and the sound begins to grow in significance.
It's not a pleasant sound. It's not the distinctive regeneration whir, which I actually quite like for some reason. I never read about it in reviews or road tests. It seems to be coming from the near side front area. I take my dad for a test on the local 50mph bypass. He can't hear the noise and calls me paranoid (which I am), but then, he's no spring chicken. He doesn't exactly have the ears of a bat either.
Week 6
I take it to JEM in NW London for a full service and a range of consumables. Some early (spark plugs, last done 53k), some late (coolant), brake fluid right on time. I also go for a transmission fluid change, since it's cheap. Not the cheapest place in the world I think, but I successfully negotiate the total down, and they agree to try and diagnose the dreaded noise for free.
JEM were pleasant to deal with. A courtesy car was offered, but declined (I work from home). Work seems to have been successful (they said the spark plugs were an absolute ***** of a job) and everything is running well. They did a full inspection and confirm the car is indeed in A1 condition, including the suspension.
Unfortunately the noise is still present, and very much not in my imagination. It's not a wheel bearing, brake caliper issue or anything like that. Apparently, in the words of the technician (relayed to me via a middle-man), "it's coming from the hybrid system, and could be suggesting a future failure. It could even be why the car has been moved on. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But apart from that, the car is in great condition!"
My heart sank. I just can't afford to have bought a ticking bomb or potential brick. Everything I was worried about - like air suspension - seems to be fine. While the thing that I had read was bullet proof - the hybrid system - may be on its way out.
That said, I didn't speak to the technician. I don't know how speculative this diagnosis is. I plan on taking the car to a Lexus dealer for a Hybrid Health Check. But, I admit, I don't really want to know the results. I'd almost rather plod along in ignorance and await my fate.
So, I thought I'd throw this open to the OC and find out if anyone else has had a similar experience that didn't turn out to be fatal. Any opinions on what the precise problem with the hybrid system could be? Perhaps no problem at all?
I understand that when hybrid system problems do occur (that can't be fixed by replacing the 12V battery), Lexus basically want more than the value of the car to repair. Does anyone know if independent hybrid technicians actually exist? A quick Google produces an alarming lack of results, which surprised me, given that - thanks to Uber - every other car on the road in London is a Prius.
I'll keep you updated...
That is an interesting take on the health check, and does make sense. Food for thought. Indeed, this may be a very speculative diagnosis. But he at least ruled out any of the common causes of such a noise, and perhaps the location of the noise ruled out the transmission. I should also point out that there are no actual faults or warning lights and the hybrid system and battery are performing excellently. There's just something "off" about this sound that doesn't fill me with confidence. But on the other hand, perhaps it's just a hallmark of a high-mileage hybrid vehicle?
