I have had a 99TL for about three years now. I bought it at 63K and I am now coming up on 105K.

Last year while driving I heard the car would jerk forward from a stopped position and then I would hear a grinding sound while the car seemed like it was going through the gears. I couldnt tell if it was a tranny issue or an engine issue. I brought it into the dealer, and they could not re-create the problem. That happened once or twice and since then it has gone away.

Last week I was driving and it started again. I have no idea what it is, and again it is not constant. I have already recently changed to iridium plugs and had my tranny fluid changed at 100K.

I know the car is due for the 105K service (timing belt, water pump, etc) but could that be the noise I am hearing?

Also, the ride seems noiser than it used to, Like the seals are all going or something.

Should I just get rid of it and get something else, or does anyone have any insight as to what the noise is?

Again its usually only from a stopped position. I accelerate, car jerks back and forth once or twice and then there is a metal grinding sound (kind of like a chain trying to get back on track) as the car goes through its gears (leading me to believe its tranny related).

Thoughts?

 

Yeah thats not good. Just becuase the TL's are natorious for tranny problems doesn't mean its the tranny. If I remember correctly the 99 TL's dont have the same tranny problem as the others.

One possiblity is that you have a broken motor or tranny mount(s). Have someone OTHER than a dealer check it out. Since you are out of warrantly, a dealer is just another high-priced auto-shop.

 

All motor mounts were changed 2K miles ago.