wing0

2001 RX300 with 142k km
Synthetic oil change every 10k km.
I lose about 0.7L to 1L of oil between changes.

PCV has never been changed before and I think I have the brass one.
Will changing the PCV help reduce oil consumption?
I don't notice oil in radiator so I am assuming that it is being burnt off.

salimshah

NO oil in radiator means that the gaskets (most probably) the head gasket is still keeping the oil and coolant away from each other.

I dont intend to scare you, but there are a few more other reasons why you would loose oil. You should at the least check your PCV and might as well replace it before we go further into other possibilities.

Salim

wing0

Are you implying sludge?

artbuc

Is oil seeping out of your valve cover gaskets and/or cam position sensor? A plugged PCV valve can pressurize your crankcase and force oil out. I did not believe this could be true until it happened to me.

wing0

I took a look and didn't notice oil coming out of the valve cover gasket.

By the way, is this the PCV valve? Looks like I have the metal one.
I took a 19mm wrench on it and turned counterclockwise(in this case, to the right)
It just won't budge at all and I don't want to strip the edges.

Is it supposed to be very hard to take out?
Can I use some PB blaster to loosen it up?

carguy07

Yep that's it. Mine came out without a fight.

You can get an OE one from a Toyota dealer for $4-$5.

Part # 12204-20040




https://www.clublexus.com/forums/5932770-post2.html

wing0

counterclockwise to loosen it right?
I am not sure why it is so hard to loosen. I still haven't got it to budge at all.

salimshah

PBblaster should be good to use ... make sure the nipple is covered. With chemicals, patience should be exercised. Drench and then let it soak ... tap, drench and let it soak ,,,, if needed wrap a rag so that the penetrant does not drip away.

Looking at the picture, do you have a non-sealed battery? I spend the extra-bucks to get a sealed battery and my engine bay looks pristine even after 12 yrs.

Salim

wing0

Thanks for the reply. I'll try some pbblaster then. I don't know what else to try if that still doesn't work. My dad will be taking the car for two days and driving about 1500km. I'm just hoping that the oil consumption won't be manifested by all the high speed driving.


Battery is toyota OEM. The crap you see in the engine bay is more from all the road salt that they spray in winter time up here in Canada. I used to clean the engine bay quite often, but I got really put off by the potential buyers of my previous car.

I washed it up 1 week before I wanted to sell. They questioned if I replaced engine or all the major components because everything looks too new for a 6-7 year old car. I thought I was doing them a favor...I got quite pissed off

lexus114

Lefty Loosey....Righty tighty.

wing0

Called toyota dealership and it's $10.50
I wish I was in US...

Called other dealerships.....ranges form 10-13.

wing0

Son of a b****

After spraying some PB, it still wouldn't budge.
My open wrench was flexing on it. I was stripping one corner already too.
Was about to give up when I tried the closed end and used both hands. Finally it moved. I guess this is what happens when it hasn't been changed in 10+ years.

Here are some photos, seems like bad news
Some bits fell on the table. I assume this is dried up sludge?

Last pic, I have the new one. It's made of a metallic color. I am wondering if it is going to be as sturdy so it won't strip on me when I try to remove it next time.

hypervish

If you shake the old PCV valve, does it rattle?

carguy07

A gunked up PVC valve does not necessarily = a sludged motor. You may want to check the vacuum line to make sure it's not plugged up. I think the new one will come out fine, we just need to make a habit of changing them every two or three years (or less).

wing0

It does rattle, but doesn't rattle as freely as compared to the new one.

You are referring to the vacuum line on the PVC plug? It's very short and in an awkward place. How would I go about checking if it's plugged up?