Lexluthero

I recently traded my previous car for a 2001 Lexus ES300, the car looks fantastic inside and out, except for when it comes to mechanical side of the car. Im guessing previous owners neglected to change the oil regularly, i took the car to my local mechanic for a speed sensor problem because the car would shift just a little hard and no OD and trac light was on and threw a speed sensor code, well i leave the car with the shop, he calls later in the day saying he had to have the car towed back to the shop because the oil light came on and started to starve for oil, now the engine knocks under load and faintly knocks just idling, the amoubt of gunk/metal shavings were on the bottom of that oil pan, guess it threw a clot threw the pickup screen . Idk what to do with the car, any and all suggestions is appreciated! Here are some pics. Everything works on the car, sound system still sounds great too. Just a shame its so pretty but dont run good.



The gunk in the bottom of the oil pan...





Great shape, no dents that i could see when i checked, few scratches, little bit of paint sade on front bumper and rear bumper





Interior is in fantastic shape, just little things, everything works.

PFB

Sorry about that, but it looks like a sludge issue. The only viable option is a used or rebuild engine.

The car looks nice however, so the decision is up to you.

This is never a good place to be in.

Phil

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Theres a video of a guy on youtube who did an engine "power flush" and was able to save his engine. Its a cheap possible solution. Here's the video

PFB

It is sometimes possible to clean the sludge BUT only if you catch the problem in time. However once internal damage is done, (as evidant by the knocking), than its usually too late.

Phil

Megafast13

Yeah, that doesn't look very good. You should be able to find another ES to have the engine swapped if you want to put in the effort. I don't know what your budget is or how bad your like the car, but this vehicle is very sensitive to sludge build up.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Find a cheap motor, pull valve covers to make sure you're not getting the same ****

If not, well, scrap it or as-is sale for 1000$

ES300NZ

it's run a bearing from oil starvation, I'd guess the oil pickup is/was blocked.

You'll need a replacement (or repaired) engine. which makes the rest of your post (oil sludge removal) kinda redundant.

bummer dude.

Lexluthero

Yep, considering i traded a perfectly running car for this.... So sell it for just 1 grand even if its in good shape (except engine and tranny)? I dont know the car didnt show any signs of the engine having any problems before i called the mechanic and left the car with him, he drove it and said the oil light came on and had to stop because he was hearing noise, hell he probably took his sweet time... It starts knocking slightly at idle when warm, but once you rev her up a little it clatters a little, so im wondering if rislone and some stp and 3 quarts of oil may help the issue?

Lexluthero

If this helps any here is a video i just made.

PFB

Definitely some knocking can be heard.

One simple test you can try to determine if the oil passages from the top of the engine are blocked, is the following:

After the car has been sitting overnight on level ground measure your oil level and note the results.

Drive the car for at least 15 minutes, park it at the same level spot and within 5 minutes or so measure the level again.

Note if there is a substantial difference between the first reading and second reading

If after the 2nd measurement your oil level is pretty close to the first measurement than the oil passages are probably clear.

If after the 2nd measurement the oil level is substantially lower, than your your oil passages are probably clogged and the oil doesn't drain back to the oil pan fast enough. Due to Sludge

It's not very scientific, but it's a good estimate of what's going on.

Either way, unfortunately the engine damage has been done already.

But maybe others can try this trick before purchasing a car

ES300NZ

sounds like rod knock. I heard it when he started it, then when he ran the engine up and down. I'm pretty sure that's not big ends.