RX-300 "gurgle"

Noises are difficult to diagnose without hearing them first hand. There could be air in the cooling system, especially if you have had any work done on the system before the noise started.

Check the coolant overflow reservoir to see if it is empty, and with a COLD engine, remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level in the radiator. The coolant level in the radiator should be right up to the bottom of the radiator neck and the level in the overflow reservoir should at least be at the "MIN" mark.

If the coolant level is low in the radiator, add the proper mix of coolant to the bottom of the radiator neck and in the overflow bottle to the "MAX" mark. Start the engine and set the heater to full hot. Let the engine get to operating temperature and the electric radiator fan kicks on and top off coolant as necessary. Once the coolant starts flowing past the radiator neck, replace the cap and shut off the engine.

Keep an eye on the overflow reservoir and add coolant as necessary.

If you are hearing a sloshing sound, you could have water in the evaporator housing due to a clogged evaporator housing drain hose. Look for a black rubber about the diameter of your finger under the passenger side of the vehicle near the firewall. Poke a stiff wire through the hose to make sure it is not clogged.

Another possible cause is the automatic AC system, and that is not really a DIY job.

The radiator fluid procedures you outlined are pretty much what I have done, and the levels look good. I'm just about at the end of my competence in this particular problem area, so professional help is next.

During a ten year period, a burned out brake light was the only problem I had on the RX. Getting lots of problems at 95,000 miles though!

Thanks.

I hear the same noise in my 1999 RX300, not sure where is coming from, but it sure sound like what you describe in this post, my center console is kind of noisy too, specially when it is open (slide out).

Abid

********************** I'll probably run mine through the dealer in the next week or so, and will post the results here.

Kinda annoying to have so few problems and then get overwhelmed with transmission problems, ignition coil problems, and now this. Hard to justify $4000 repairs on a $9K blue book car. The only thing worse it replacing it for $40K+ :)

--Wayne

Sounds like a problem I had last year. My local Toyota dealer got rid of the air in the system and the problem persisted. Lexus correctly diagnosed the problem and fixed it. I believe it was something called the servo motor? that had shorted out. That motor controls the door that switches the system from outside air to recycled air. The gurgle was the door flapping back and forth. The replacement cured the problem but it was expensive ($800).

Ouch! That might be enough to get me to look at a new one. This go around though, perhaps a Highlander because we have a Toyota dealer in town, and the Lex place is 25 miles away.

--Wayne

I was seriously thinking about a Highlander or a Forerunner until my local Toyota dealer closed down literally overnight a few weeks ago.

snip

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