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2004 Lexus ES 330 NOISES

Tiny
SHARONKEEHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 LEXUS ES 330
Noises problem
2004 Lexus ES 330 6 cyl Automatic 50000 miles

I have taken my car to a repair shop 3 times to determine the source of a clicking noise when I shut off the ignition. After replacing the drive belts which did not help the noise, I was told there were cracks in the center pipe of the exhaust system. I was told they did not reccommend repairing it because it was so costly and it would not effect the driveability. Do you have any idea what the approximate cost should be and do you agree with the mechanic? FYI - I purchased the car 1 year ago and have put only 4000 miles on it since I bought it. I purchased the car used from the local toyoto dealer and have taken it back there for all service.
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 12:52 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi Sharonkeehan,

Thank you for the donation.

Is the clicking noise continous or intermittent after stopping engune?

Quite a number of vehicles of different makes would have the exhaust clicking intermittently after turning off engine. The clicking noise is emitted when exhaust components contracts while cooling down.

I am not sure if that is the noise you are referring to. If it is different, can you please eleborate and give a detailed description. It is never easy to detect noise problems online unless a good description of the noise is made.
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Thursday, October 1st, 2009 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
SHARONKEEHAN
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The noise is continuous and it also can be heard while the car is running - just seems louder when I shut off ignition. I have heard the same noise emitting from other cars in a parking lot - just never a Lexus.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 6:01 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Noise are never easy to diagnose online so I need to understand the problem better and hope you can fill me in.

1. Does noise appear only when AC is turned ON after starting from cold?

2. Does noise appear only intermittently?

My questions above are directed at the cooling fans. When engine is turned OFF, the cooling fans might work for a while and if it is bad or something is brushing against the fan blades, it would cause the clicking noise.

If it is not the above, can you describe the noise in more detail?
Are you able to verify from which portion of the engine is the noise coming from?
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
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The noise appears to be coming from beneath the car in the center area. I was told the exhaust has 3 parts - a muffler, a center pipe and something else. The center pipe has cracks in it according to the tech at the dealership and they did not reccommend repairing it as it was too costly.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 9:46 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If it is the exhaust leaking, noise should stop after ignition is turned OFF. If the exhaust is cracked, it would emit a loud booming noise and not clicking.

How long does the noise last after the ignition is turned off?
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
SHARONKEEHAN
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  • 4 POSTS
The noise lasts for a minute or two after I shut it off.
Previously the a/c cabin filter was removed and replaced and the drive belts were replaced. The last opinion stated the noise is coming from the center pipe in the exhaust system and not recommeded that customer replace. Normail noise. Not sure replacement of the pipe will cure the noise. Basically they're telling me to "live with it." I find it very annoying and can't believe a Lexus makes this kind of noise. I've heard it in parkling lots on old junkers but not on a Lexus. If all else fails I guess I'll have to take it to a Lexus dealership although the toyota dealership where I purchased it said they were trained to maintain this car. I want to thank you so much for trying to help me - as you can sense-I am completely out of my comfort zone.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If the noise is from the center pipe, it seems strange that it should be clicking for extended periods and clicking rapidly.

Though the Toyota dealership might be trained to perform Lexus repairs but they might not have the attended to many Lexus vehicles and have not encountered such problems before.

It would be good to get a second opinion, at least a clear explanation of the problem should be given. I could not find any TSB on the problem so this could be something that is repairable.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 AT 9:02 PM

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