So I am interested in buying this 2008 ISF with 50k kms but the owner told me he hasnt changed the oil since 2012. He inherited the car and all maintenance was done up until 2012. He has driven the car for another 10k kms since 2012.

So my question is do you think the engine is okay? I know oil doesnt really degrade on its own, however, it does degrade more if the car is driven short distances. This is because the engine doesnt get a chance to burn off the excess gas in the oil and gas in the oil reduces the viscosity of the oil.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

 

I wouldn't buy it if the owner can't be bothered with changing the oil, especially if he's trying to sell it. Shows that he doesn't give a damn about the car or knows anything about how to take care of it.

 

I know of an RX300 owned by a friend that ran Royal Purple 5W30 for 10K miles and only recently changed oil that had not been changed since 2012, 4 years. Oil came out milky, but vehicle has been running fine since the change. He is now running Pennzoil Platinum 5W30.

Is mostly a short commute car only occasionally on highway.

 

Welcome to CL as a first-time poster.

With petroleum-based oil (and even more so with synthetic), the oil viscosity itself doesn't necessarily break down with time, but the additive packages in the oil do. Those additives do several important functions besides simple straight lubrication.

 

i wouldn't sweat it... situation should enable you to get an even better deal.

 

Ditto. Don't get distracted by the engine oil. Make sure everything else is ok.

 

With modern oils, especially synthetics I would not worry about it as long as there was the proper amount of oil in it and the internals were being lubricated when it was being driven. 10K kilometers in 4 years is not a lot at all, there is not much if any maintenance that would be crucial or very important in those 4 years. Get it checked out by a Lexus dealer or mechanic you trust but I would not be concerned with the oil. Some oil companies are saying their synthetic oil is good for 10K or more miles these days though I feel more comfortable changing it sooner.

 

I wouldn't worry about the mileage. It's the amount of time that's gone by without changing it. Four years is a lot, especially if the owner drives it frequently. Moisture in the oil will degrade oil fast. If possible, get a used oil analysis and see what's going on.

 

Thanks for all your coments guys. I have decided to purchase the vehicle.

After owning a few german cars, always using liqui moly I cant decide on which 5w30 to use on the ISF. They have 2039, 2011, 2249, and 2244.

Thanks in advance again.

 

Good Luck and keep coming back and share your tales

As far as oil, any synthetic will do, but I feel Pennzoil makes it quieter.

 

+1 on the Pennzoil, but get the Ultra Platinum...I would probably change it twice within 30 days - once immediately then again after about 1000 miles.

 

Congrats on teh buy.

Lubro/Liqui Moly makes great products but I have read their synthetic oil is not much if any better quality then Mobil 1 Synthetic. I don't think their 5W30 is a group 4 synthetic and is more of a group 3 highly refined semi synthetic like Mobil which should be fine for your Lexus but if you are paying more for the Liqui Moly oil then Mobil 1 it may not really be worth it. German Castrol is a group 4 synthetic though it is only available in OW30 but that should be fine for anything requiring 5W30. Amsoil is one of the best oils but it is expensive to have it shipped to you. You may want look into a Lubro Moly engine flush if you are worried about your oil before doing the oil change.

 

Wal-Mart has 5 quarts of Mobil 1 full synthetic for $22 and some change. No idea how they sell it that cheap, but that's a great oil for just stupid cheap.

 

I don't necessarily disagree with changing it twice, but wouldn't spend the coin on synthetic for the first--and that's coming from someone who's used exclusively synthetic for 20+ years. Just get the cheapest oil that meets the requirements. You're essentially doing a flush, so the long-term detergent and anti-shear properties of a good synthetic don't buy you anything.

 

So I used some Lubro Moly flush before the oil change and out in some Royal Purple oil. Should I change the oil again after 1000kms to kinda flush out the oil? Or should I just leave it in there for the full 8000km interval and get a sample sent to Blackstone labs.