DixieLex

Dealership changed oil Pennzoil Plat. and BMW filter and now you can hardly see dipstick. Yes the oil is cleaning but is the engine THIS dirty?
Engine flush?
Just filter change?
ANother oil change at 3K
Anything thing else I'm not considering?
IS has 124, 000 miles and runs great.

XSV

iTrader: (1)

Pictures would help. Send in the oil for analysis.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

agreed

Bichon

Blackstone UOA would be a great idea. You really can't tell all that much about the condition of used oil by its color.

nosurprise

iTrader: (1)

There is your problem right there

Mrfix

Do you trust the dealer? What you ask and pay for and what they do are two different things. Some kid changing oil might not really care.

Changing the oil on an IS is a very simple process, have you considered doing it yourself. Now if you don't have the space to do this yourself find a mechanic where you can bring him the oil and filter you want to use and have him change it for you. Then after 5k send it in for an analysis to BlackStone Labs. They will tell you exactly what is going on inside your engine.

There are engine flushes that you can use like Amsoils product http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...code=FLSHCN-EA . Do this to prepare your engine before the next oil change (follow instructions). You could also use a can of Seafoam if you don't want to get the Amsoil product. Pour it into your crankcase and follow the instructions on the can. It will clean your internals to some extent.

I would seriously consider trying Amsoils Signature Series 5w30. They are basically the folks who invented Synthetic Oil. Their signature series oil is outstanding. I have no experience with Penzoil Synthetic although I have used their Mineral Oil exclusively in an older Camaro and after a few years noticed a huge build up of paraffin on the top end of the engine. I will not use their product anymore.

Use the Mobile M1C 256 (think that is the filter number) filter for your IS. Blackstone actually mentioned that the filtration I was using was exceptional.

As others have said color is not an indication that it is bad. But for $25 dollars a Blackstone Lab report provides incredible insight into what is going on inside your engine.

ttsport15

bad valve seals

DixieLex

The put some ZMAX potion in the crankcase and fuel tank.

07is4GR

One thing I have seen cause rapid oil contamination or what you would see as dark or dirty oil is known as blow by. Its a condition where the oil control ring on one or several of your pistons has gone bad and is no longer sealing the combustion chamber properly.

Given that your engine has 124,000 miles and is running fine, I would assume your top piston rings are fine. One way to confirm is to smell the oil on your dipstick, if it smells like gasoline at all then there lies the problem.

But also as Mrfix hinted, you might not have gotten what you payed for..

DixieLex

Blackstone is sending in what I need for a UOA so that's gonna happen in about 1K. Gotta a long trip next week, so that should do it on the mileage.

If the UOA comes back and gas is in the oil, what then?

07is4GR

Worst case scenario, you'll have to open the engine up and change your rings out at the very least.

DixieLex

UOA coming up in a couple of weeks

Buddiiee

1. I don't care what anyone tells you, the no one can tell you anything about any oil from the color. It has nothing to do with nothing. Only an engine oil analysis can do this.
2. NEVER flush your engine. Yea I know your friend and 34 other people on this board have "been doing it for years and the car's still running" but that doesn't mean it's good. My mother's been smoking for the better part of 48 years and she doesn't have lung cancer; does that mean it's healthy? No. Don't do it. I used to run a small basic maintenance facility and oil change shop. Trust me, if you use a good oil, a good filter, stay away from K&N air filters, and keep on your OCI's you should never need a flush.

ttsport15

get a leak down test

LXMEUP

Do not do an engine flush.

I'm sure just like almost every other car manufacturer out there, Lexus doesn't recommend an Engine Flush.

You'll cause more damage than good with it.

I've seen it with my own eyes where a friend of mine ruined his engine with a flush. It loosens up a lot gunk if done properly, which then gets stuck in all the different galleries etc.

----

Not sure why majority of you guys aren't doing your own oil changes. It is one of the bare basic services on a car and the most simplest.

The benefits of doing your own change is that you know exactly what went into your engine, you know exactly what filter was used and you can see the quality of the oil coming out before you put new oil in.

The only thing you need to do is buy a filter removal tool from ebay for approx $20.

Buying a cheap jack and some car stands, you'll pay these both off after the savings from your first oil change.