I'll try to keep this as brief, but descriptive as possible as I'm looking for some advice and also manage my own expectations. I recently took my 2007 GS 350 AWD with 160,000 miles into the Lexus dealership to perform an oil consumption test as my low oil indicator light was coming on at only 2,000 miles after having an oil change. I just got the results back yesterday and the service advisor said that in 1,200 miles, I was going through 1.5 quarts of oil, outside of the specs. He said that my two options were: 1) repair the small block which would cost $13,000 or 2) purchase a used engine at $9,150.

Needless to say, I was not happy with either option. I called Lexus and filed a complaint and the agent called me back today stating that he should know what, if any, assistance they can give me by the end of the week.

So a little history on this vehicle. I bought it in 2009 from a reputable dealership outside of Chicago and have had all the work done at a Lexus dealership since owning it. Back in 2014, I had my first oil consumption test performed as the low oil indicator light was coming on at around 3,500 miles after an oil change, however, the results were within specs. Other than the typical problems I've heard of with '07 GS's (door hinges needing replacement, dash noise/rattle when going over bumps), I haven't had any issues with this vehicle.

Now here are my expectations which might need managing. I bought a Lexus because of the supposed reliability, build quality, and performance that a GS is supposed to give. I was fully expecting to get over 225,000 miles on this vehicle. As it stands right now, it doesn't look like this is going to happen.

I'm not sure what Lexus can/will do in this situation. The advice I'm looking for is has anyone remotely been in this situation or similar to this situation and if so, what will Lexus typically do on the backend? If they are willing to pay for some of the $9,000 or $13,000 repair, how will having this sort of repair hurt the resale value of this car? Is it unrealistic to ask for them to let me trade it in to the Lexus dealership for the FMV of this vehicle if it didn't need this type of repair just so that I can unload it?

I'm looking for any/all advice. Thank you in advance.

 

You are well within your rights to expect 225'000 miles from a factory maintained Lexus. I'd expect 275'000.

$9000 for a used engine is exorbitant. $13000 for a rebuild is ridiculous. Just take it to a Toyota indie specialist and ask him for a rebuild quote. Should be in the $4-5500k range.

Then you can expect a lot more miles out of the car. While he is at it, i'd do bushes, shocks, tranny flush and drive her to 300k. Realistically after that the body may be a bit tired.

 

Your engine is not toast, you can still sell it for good money. Carmax and many dealers will buy it! I wouldnt recommend doing any work with the dealer as the dealer is out there to profit. 13,000 for a rebuild the car may not be worth that to justify rebuilding the engine. Your oil consumption problem could be 1 of 2 things either theres grime/carbon build up on the piston rings or the piston rings themselves are worn out.

I dont know how mechanically inclined you are, but there are some ways to clean your engine. So if there is something clogging your rings chemicals can possibly loosen them up. I would start by removing all the sparkplugs and pour a good amount of berrys parts cleaner or seafoam into each spark plug hole and cover the holes or put the sparkplugs finger tight and let it sit overnight. Then use an air nozzle and blow out all the chemicals. Next I would use a good motor flush and pour it into the oil while only letting the car sat at idle. Then replace the oil and filter with conventional oil and not synthetic.

Drive it and monitor the oil level, if you do get oil lose. Then your best bet would be to start using an oil thickening addictive like lucas. The thicker oil should greatly slow down the flow of oil that passes your rings. I dont see why it wouldnt reach 225K miles.

My 08 gs350 with 160k miles also I have no oil issues and I only run castrol gtx and change every 2500 miles. Goodluck!

 

Plenty of lower milage used engines available for $1000-3000

http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?isRefin...S0&_mwBanner=1

And getting the shocks and tranny fluid flushed as LX470Mack suggested would be a good idea also

 

Hi. Have you had any problems with your rear main seal? Mine is leaking 08 gs350 155k miles. I really like my car but I'm afraid I will be in the similar situation as the host..?? I get low engine oil light frequent..twice already. Since I've had the car for about 5 months now. But I did see oil in the driveway when I checked after staying the night at my family's house.

 

Did you check the valve cover gaskets? Those are more likely to leak at 155K than a rear main seal

 

Just sell or trade in for another car. Not worth the hassle.

 

I appreciate all of the responses, guys. Unfortunately, I'm not very mechanically inclined when it comes to working on cars. I kind of wish that there was something ancillary going on as to why my car is going through more oil, i.e. A leak, as this would mean that I wouldn't be in the predicament I am in now.

I was given a call by Lexus on Friday where they stated, "...because of the complexity of this issue, we need a few more days to look over the history of the vehicle before we can come up with a solution". This should be very interesting to see what they come up with.

 

$13,000?! My god... For that, you could cover fabrication costs and toss one of these in:
http://www.suprastore.com/2jzgteengine.html

Maybe not... But still... Would be cool.

 

What the heck. A Non-VVTi is 1K more than a VVTi engine?