knarf0117

I recently replaced the knock sensors, sensor cable, and coolant crossover hose on my ES300 in response to a P0330 error code. While I had the intake manifold and plenum off, I decided to replace the valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, and ignition coil gaskets. Car has 230K miles. Knock sensors have been replaced once before, but valve cover gaskets were original and were leaking a little. I also reassembled with a new plenum gasket and intake gaskets.
P0330 error code is cleared now. BUT, now I have white-grey smoke coming from exhaust pipe on acceleration, on initial startup. It seems to be worse when going around a curve to the right. On a 400 mile trip right after the repairs noted, I had to add a quart of crankcase oil every 150-200 miles. I don't see any evidence of an oil leak. Engine does not seem to have the pep it had before. I'm stumped. What do you think? Maybe some trash in the crankcase oil return holes under the valve cover gasket?

Engine: V6 with variable valve timing

LeX2K

Maybe a problem with the PCV valve and/or hose?

CUMan

We have now owned our 94 ES for almost 17 years. It now has 165,000 miles on it.

The car has been trouble free except for two things: (1) the infamous defective AC expansion valve which seems to afflict most of these cars; and (2) oil leaks.

The oil leaks are not limited to one or two things. We have had to replace the valve cover gaskets, the engine seals inside the timing belt cover, the rear main seal, the lower oil pan gasket, and the power steering hose. Most of these things have been done over the past 1-2 years.

But we still have a leak. There is a drip which comes down from the area of the oil drain plug. Since the lower pan gasket has been replaced twice and the bolts tightened numerous times, I am assuming the leak is coming from the upper aluminum oil pan. This will likely be my next fix.

So, if you own an ES, expect oil drips. The problems started with our ES at around 100,000 miles and have been continuous since then.

OceanView

Same problems here.
I may just pull the engine and go through all seals and gaskets

knarf0117

Thanks for everyone's comments. I'm thinking maybe it is the PCV valve. I forgot to mention that I replaced it along with all the other repairs noted. At this point I have gone back in looking for problems under the valve cover. I noticed several of the spark plug tubes had a lot of oil in them, so I'm checking the installation of the new seals. I also noted that spark plug # 2 was fouled after only 500 miles or so. Maybe I have a more severe problem in the cylinder head. I should have everything back together tonight including a new PCV valve.

knarf0117

I'm a little embarrassed to say that I had installed the spark plug tubes incorrectly. I corrected that problem, replaced PCV valve (again), replaced the fouled spark plug, put it all back together. I drove about 100 miles yesterday mostly in city traffic. No smoke from the exhaust. Oil level is still showing full. No leaks around the valve covers. Problem seems to be solved.