Roughness while idling?

[spiderjoe]

Not related to the Overtrail vibration issues, anyone else noticed if you GX550 engine/vehicle vibrates when idling from start? Coming from owning various Lexus V6s close to 20 years - ES300, ES350, RX300, RX350 and also a V8 GX460, I find our GX550 is the most "un-Lexus" like experience while idling - more like a 2.5L 4 cylinder or a diesel. All of our previous Lexus V6 were very smooth when idling. This new one - I can feel the whole vehicle vibrate when idling like it wants to take off.

Most of you would remember this video of the wine glasses?

 

[Cajun Heat]

Not related to the Overtrail vibration issues, anyone else noticed if you GX550 engine/vehicle vibrates when idling from start? Coming from owning various Lexus V6s close to 20 years - ES300, ES350, RX300, RX350 and also a V8 GX460, I find our GX550 is the most "un-Lexus" like experience while idling - more like a 2.5L 4 cylinder or a diesel. All of our previous Lexus V6 were very smooth when idling. This new one - I can feel the whole vehicle vibrate when idling like it wants to take off.

Most of you would remember this video of the wine glasses?

Few questions.

Is it just at a cold startup?
Does it settle down after a minute once it idles down?
Does it happen while stopped in traffic while in gear?

 

[mrcee]

Mine does this as well. I get it at stop light or in traffic. If this was a carbureted engine from the 70s, I would say that the timing was off slightly or there was an issue with the fuel. It's definitely not silky smooth like my RX

 

[rangertrace]

Haven't noticed it yet....

 

[spiderjoe]

Few questions.

Is it just at a cold startup?
Does it settle down after a minute once it idles down?
Does it happen while stopped in traffic while in gear?

It is all of the above. When it's moving, I don't notice it. Probably it's the design and setup of the engine with the BOF chassis. My GX is currently at the dealership for my 1,000 miles oil change and to fix some rattling on the door, I mentioned to them to check on the idling. They will let me know in a few days. Meanwhile I have a brand new RX350 (non hybrid) loaner with a 4 cylinder engine and the RX350 is smooth, none of the vibration on the GX at idling.

 

[German88]

I agree the engine note at startup/idle has a distinct sound and feel. All part of this new platform IMHO and “pissing up a rope” trying to trouble shoot.

 

[steveperry]

I was just coming over to put up a post about this. I notice my GX idles "rough" at stop lights or even when in park while sitting. This is after it's warmed up. It's not terrible, but enough that my non-car person wife noticed it on several occasions. The RPMs will kind of go up and down a little as well. Then there are other times I can't tell if it's running or not it's so smooth.

 

[yotanoob]

My LR4 did that almost always. I found out it was how they met the fueling/pollution requirements. Not sure this has anything to do with it, but could apply here. I will ask when I get it in for a small list of service items.

 

[Snooperstyle]

Yes me too. Actually noticed again yesterday while sitting in park idling for a long time. I feel it through the bottom of my seat more than hear it, but it does seem to idle a little rougher and at more RPM than needed. Maybe it could be related to the body and engine mounts and that could also PARTIALLY explain the OT vibration and over sensitivity to road imperfections. This vehicle just seems to transfer vibrations and energy differently and not in a good way. I’d venture to say it’s not the frame itself, but how it connects to things that move or vibrate. I dunno. Just kinda spitballing here. They probably are not going do a darn thing about it.

 

[steveperry]

Yes me too. Actually noticed again yesterday while sitting in park idling for a long time. I feel it through the bottom of my seat more than hear it, but it does seem to idle a little rougher and at more RPM than needed. Maybe it could be related to the body and engine mounts and that could also PARTIALLY explain the OT vibration and over sensitivity to road imperfections. This vehicle just seems to transfer vibrations and energy differently and not in a good way. I’d venture to say it’s not the frame itself, but how it connects to things that move or vibrate. I dunno. Just kinda spitballing here. They probably are not going do a darn thing about it.

Yeah, that's exactly what mine does and I forgot to mention that I feel in the seat as well. I'll also echo what you say about vibration transfer. I've had a LOT of off road vehicles and none transferred road sensations quite like this one - and as you say, not in a good way. There are times I'm going down what seems to be a smooth patch of road but it feels like I'm running over little invisible bumps.

 

[spiderjoe]

Some of you articulated the vibration better than my original post lol

When Lexus sends out the new owner surveys, might be a good idea to highlight this vibration to them. I received ours earlier this week, it was fun typing in all the problems and shortcomings, although I would still buy a GX550 despite its shortcomings

 

[munkeeboi]

88 miles in and I feel the vibrations at idle as well. I thought it might get better once broken in but that doesn't appear to be the case reading this.