smoker23

I have a 2001 es300 with120k, car runs and sounds great, however it burns a quart of oil every 1k, and massive blue smoke after sitting for a day. What I would like to know is what was the repair that Lexus did for sludge issues, and is it worth paying to have it done on this 15 year old car? Has anyone fixed this issue by simply doing excessive oil changes? Rest of the car is perfect, no other issues. Thanks for any help.

jenga

I would start by checking / replace your PCV valve.

mitmaks

Only 120K miles on original engine and its burning so much oil? You might find a local trustworthy mechanic who would be able to rebuild it out in his shop/garage and that would save you bunch of money compared going to dealer.

smoker23

Thanks, first thing I did when I bought it last year was replace the pcv.

PFB

Blue smoke after car sitting for a while is usually an indication of worn valve guides. Normally however with your mileage that shouldn't happen.

Did you buy the car like that?

LeX2K

Remove the front valve cover and check for sludge.

smoker23

yes,po said it burned oil, but not this bad. Is this a remove heads, machine shop repair? Thanks for the input.

smoker23

no doubt it is sludge. What is the next step? Has anyone saved engine like this or just try to source a good used engine? Thanks for your input.

ES300NZ

have a compression test done, sometimes if compression is leaking past the rings it pushes hot, oil soaked air into the upper manifold through the breather lines. This sits in the upper manifold, and dribbles down into the combustion chamber when the car is sitting. Car's in this condition need to be driven regularly or they will foul the plugs and stop operating until fixed. If this is occurring, the engine's condition can be improved by adding an aftermarket catch can, re-routing the breaker lines, and draining it often. It will stop the smoke, after the upper manifold has been cleaned. If compression is leaking, causing this condition, the engine isn't ruined yet, it's just badly worn. The repair would be a rebuild.

Oro

How do you know it is "sludged?" If so, that does not ipso facto impact oil consumption. I get the impression you are not familiar with these issues.

ES300NZ has given good advice. With that low a mileage, you need to look to a history of abuse - which could indeed also cause sludging. But these are separate issues.

The sludge issue was caused by very long oil change intervals and frequent short trips. It was not a defect of the engine design. In 2002, Toyota changed the venting very slightly on the valve cover to make it slightly more tolerant to owner abuse. No "real" change.

Engines can be heavily sludged and burn no oil. Engines can consume 1qt/700 miles and be very clean. Apples/Oranges.

smoker23

I should have given more info. Records for this car indicate the oil was changed at about every 6k, as recommended by (stupid) Lexus. Plenty of tranny and brake/ power steering fluid flushes, and a few pcv changes. It was used for short local trips by teacher. I bought the car because the price was low enough that an used/rebuilt engine would not be a problem. however, when I got it home and changed the oil, I new something was wrong because I have never smelled oil that bad! So my basic concern now is do I pay for a rebuild that may not do any good, or just drive it till the engine goes and then source a used engine? As I said, the engine still sounds good and the car is a super clean 2001 Coach. I guess I am going to remove front valve cover and oil pan to check for sludge ( I am taking bets!) and make a decision from there. Thanks to everyone for their input, it is much appreciated.

LeX2K

If the engine has sludge you'll know here's an example, no need to remove the oil pan just remove the front head cover to start.

ES300NZ

I'd get a compression test, and a leak down test done on each cylinder.

compression tells you the health of the rings,
Leak down tells you the seal quality, of both the rings, and the valves.

All up, a low result tells you whether its rings, bearings, valves, or not at all. If this result is bad, I wouldn't investigate any further, I'd just limp the engine until it's unrepairable.

If it's not, then it might be a sludged up manifold, or valve stems (sits above the valve, in the intake).

smoker23

Thanks es300nz, I think that is what I will do, and thanks to eveyone for your help.

smoker23

Also, I just removed the valve cover, I was wrong and you guys were right. No sludge, just varnish. Getting a compression and leak down test next week.