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LexusGeneral discussion forum for Lexus vehicles.
This is a discussion thread titled "Rx300 Using Oil", within the Lexus forum, part of the Cars & Vans Forums category.
I bought '02 RX300 with 29k miles in Nov05. Had dealer verify at the time that engine was clean of sludge. Have used Mobil 1 synthetic since. Lots of hwy miles, now have 115k. Have discoved that it is using about 1 qt oil every 3k miles. Not sure how long ago this developed. Any ideas?
No, burning oil is not normal. Take it in and have it checked.
__________________ Ryan
2007 Toyota Yaris Base Sedan 5 speed, 51k miles
1997 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6, 5 speed, Old Man Emu 881 front coils w/ N91 shocks, Old Man Emu 891 rear coils w/ Old Man Emu N86 shocks, 285/75/R16 Nitto Terra Grappler AT's, 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser wheels, LockRite locker in rear axle, TJM-17 front bumper, Deckplate mod, K&N air filter, Alpine CDA-9883, Scan Gauge 2, Cobra WX75ST cb radio, Yaesu FT-7800 ham radio, 168k miles
Blowby can occur at the Piston rings or at the Valve guide seals and thus burn with the combustion out the exhaust.
Leak may be external or worse...internal..but rare.
I say it is not the type of oil....
I say yu may have purchased a sludge engine. It was that way when yu bought it. It doesn't matter what oil yu are using the probelm was there from the get go. I don't trust dealers word at time of sale. Never.
I have spotted many Toyota 3.0 sludge engines on used car lots before.
The oil may appear clean...but the heads is where this developes first due to the "bad" Toyota Crank case Ventilation design of these early 3.0's.
A sign of sludge would be heavy darkening of the oil just about 1-2K miles after an oil change.
I would say that 1/2 qt loss from normal piston ring Blowby is acceptable for 112K miles but no more. Definitely not from the Valve Guides. That's never good.
Using Mobil 1 or most any Synthetic subsequentlywill "clean up" this varnish and sludge, however the Wear that this sludge condition created prior cannot be reversed by using a synthetic. Thus the abnormal oil usage.
Oil additives are NG. And will never help in any regard to this.
UPDATE
I took my RX to the local dealer and investigated its use of 1 qt/2-3k miles. They determined that this is within "normal" usage guidelines. Since most owners likely change their oil at frequent intervals, they likely don't know their real consumption. I change about every 7k miles, and most of this is hwy. They suggest that hwy miles likely consume more oil than around town.
The 1997-2002 1MZ-FE V6 is known to turn Mobil 1 into sludge after only 9,000 miles. So a 7,000 mile oil change interval with Mobil 1 is cutting it close and you may already have some sludge in the engine or in the passages of the valve covers that is contributing to the oil consumption.
If I were you I'd use a high mileage conventional oil and change it every 3,000 miles or the high mileage version of Mobil 1 10W-30 and change it every 4,000 miles. High mileage oils have extra detergent that has a better chance of cleaning up existing deposits.
If you continue with the 7,000 mile oil change interval and if deposits are indeed accumulating in the engine then the oil consumption could accelerate in an accelerating downward spiral.
Also, change the transmission fluid often (pan drain and refill every 15,000 miles) if you have the all wheel drive RX300 as that model is known to oxidize the transmission fluid, especially if the vehicle is often driven in congested city traffic in hot summer weather.
1Q oil consumption is NOT right. Auto-Rx the engine, IMO it is the only way to save a dying engine.
Go thro 3 rounds of Auto-Rx and get all the gunk out. Stick with high mileage oils and something that is a big thicker. Older engines need that heavier oil to squeze out the last thousand miles out of them. Moving fwd stick with HM syn oils with 5K OCI.
1Q oil consumption is NOT right. Auto-Rx the engine, IMO it is the only way to save a dying engine.
Go thro 3 rounds of Auto-Rx and get all the gunk out. Stick with high mileage oils and something that is a big thicker. Older engines need that heavier oil to squeze out the last thousand miles out of them. Moving fwd stick with HM syn oils with 5K OCI.
yes,, it is pretty normal... i wouldn't put any of that crap in any engine.. even if it does loosen something, where does it go? oh yea the pickup... bad idea....
the weight wasn't said either.. a ton of people use the wrong oil in there cars,,
Rx300 Using Oil
Linear Mode
