My automatic IS200 emits a rapidly flapping noise from the engine compartment when pushed to accelerate from start or during overtaking. It appears only during hard but progressive depression of the accleration pedal and not when flooring the pedal at once. Sometimes, it sounded like a short burst from a machine gun!

Has anybody experience this problem before? Any suggestion as to next course of action?

Any vibrations? Wheelspinning? I had the tail going quite a lot in the loan Auto IS.

Peter. I've had the same thing on my GS and my dealer (Guildford) knew exactly what it was.

Under the bonnet immediately in front of the bulkhead is some rubber stripping to give sound insulation. This had split and was being caught by air entering through the grille. Easily repaired with a little superglue.

Could be the same on your IS. Take a look.

Hi Ezzer,

No, I didn't experience any vibrations or wheelspinning.

Strangely, when I release the accelerator at that moment, the noise somehow subsided and disappeared. Subsequent acceleration didn't produce that same flapping noise.

Peter

hi Peter,

is your car still under warranty? It is advisable to get the dealer to rectify the problem.

Hi Peter,

Would you like to join our Singapore Altezza Club? We have both Altezza AS200 & RS200 members. (Altezza AS200 = Lexus IS200).

Kindly provide us your e-mail for correspondence. Thanks

Rek