genin9

About 1,000 before I need a oil change according to the suggestion I start to hear a gurgling noise from the engine. Mostly when accelerating. the oil light flashes. This is the 1st time my check engine light has come on. Now normally if I get the oil change the noise goes away. What is this I have only noticed it right around that time.

salimshah

When oil light comes on, driving a block can destroy the engine.

How often do you check the oil level?

Does it remain constant?


Do you have oil leak?

Salim

genin9

when the noise starts and I see the light I go in for a change. 2 changes ago I was very low. The last time it was not. They look at me funny cause I want it changed about 1000 miles before the mileage says. I have noticed a oil leak. That is the only time it makes the noise.

salimshah

How often do you check the oil level, specially when you say there is oil leak?

Always maintain between 1/2 and full.

As I stated earlier, the red light is not a caution flag.

Now if the level is 3/4 and you get the light, it can be a bad sensor or gel in the engine. There is plenty of information about oil gel on this board and on the net.

Abnormal sound that gets quiet after oil addition is not good.

Salim

kalali

Year, mileage and frequency of oil change?

fastnoypi

brand and weight of oil?

genin9

I was only low the 1 time. I will check it when the noise starts.

I have a 2000 rx 300. 129,000 miles, and now I change the oil about every 3,000 miles or when the noise starts. My mother owned the car previously and took VERY good care of it. This is why the mileage is so low.

I have no idea what brand or weight of the oil.

Could it be a sensor that is reading the oil level incorrectly? To me it just doesn't make sense that the noise starts everytime about 1,000 miles before my oil is due. Considering I'm not low oil.

fastnoypi

it is assumed the car take frequent very short trips due to the milage. Be mindful to check the level of your oil due to the fact it is a 1st generation RX which is known to have a likelyhood of oil consumption issues.

Oil sludge builds up when the oil does not get up to temperature for an extended period of time to burn off any moisture and eventually clogs the breather system.

When are you reading your oil levels on the dipstick? Cold? after shutdown after the engine has reached operational temperature?

genin9

Now that I own the car. I drive about 40min one way to work.

I would say it has been checked numerous ways. How do you get rid of sludge? Is that something you need a mechanic to check or can my husband look for that?

fastnoypi

It is best to check the level shortly after the motor has gotten up to operating temperature.

Evidence of sludge can be found by removing the front and/or rear valve covers. The front valve cover seal replacement is very easy to do with minimal tools. The rear valve cover access can be viewed as overwhelming depending on mechanical skills, much more tedious.

Other members including myself have resorted to replacing the rear valve cover to the newer design found in the RX330's with good results and elimination or great reduction in oil consumption.


To start with simple things, the pcv valve can be removed/replace or cleaned and inspected for sticking. And a mild engine treatment such as Seafoam can be added to the engine oil 100 miles before performing an oil change.

genin9

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will try to start these and hopefully fix it. Could my check engine light be on because of this issue too?

fastnoypi

hard to tell with a check engine light. It could be anything. You can get a cheap bluetooth obd2 scanner on ebay or amazon to read the codes or just let your local autoparts store scan the codes for free. Good luck!

VegasRX300

You can take the RX to any Autozone and they will take a scanner out to the car and tell you what codes are coming up and tell you what they mean. They do this for free.