Jontay

2010 GS 350 AWD with 150k miles. Its been a great car but Ive been noticing smoke more and more often when I start it. And not just the first time I start it in the morning but seeing smoke the majority of the times I start it.
I am adding approx 1 qt of oil between 5k mile oil changes (Valvoline 5w-30 semi syntheti blend).

I also think about all the other items that I doubt have ever been changed.....shocks, hoses, etc. Even the brakes I know have at least 50-70k miles on them. I bought the car 4years/50k miles ago and have done nothing to it except the oil and filter changes.

Its been the best car Ive ever owned but maybe its time to part company since that many miles and these symptoms?

Any recommendations or opinions. Thanks.

mspearl95

sounds like valve seals. If everything else is still good with the car, why not have it fixed? Prob cheaper than getting a new car.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

The majority of issues I see with oil consumption problems is when they run the oil to 5k miles. Try running it at 3k and use a cleaner like seafoam in the oil. Many issues like this come from the piston oil control rings getting clogged and gummed up. So adding a cleaner maybe an easy way to help knock loose that gunk.

Here are some other things that can help clear it up 1. Change out your PCV valve, very cheap and easy to replace 2. do a top engine clean with seafoam through top intake manifold port, where you run the engine hot and let it suck in seafoam through the intake manifold nipple. 3. Remove the spark plugs and directly pour seafoam into each spark plug hole, the spark plug hole that drains the seafoam the quickest, that would be your problem piston. Once you let the seafoam sit for a few hours, remove it by spinning the engine without the plugs to force the seafoam out.

Another possibility is that the valve guides in the head have worn, but these are pretty rear on 3gs.

gs350fan

Like other posters said seafoam is a good idea before the next oil change. Also I suggest a very high detergent oil like Pennzoil Platinum Ultra or High Mileage. It is designed to keep pistons clean.
Do a 3000 mil OCI, that is cheap oil with rebates.

Jontay

Do a 3000 mil OCI, that is cheap oil with rebates.
Not sure what this means?

samsonn25

Burning 1 to 1.5 quarts every 4-5k miles is normal.

Maybe try Penzoil high mileage oil

I have 242k on my 07 gs450h and it doesnt blow smoke, though I have to add 1 to 1.5 quarts of oil every 4-5k, I am sure my piston rings and valve seals are worn

and I make my oil change interval 10k I use regular conventional oil, when it gets low at 4-5k I add full synthetic to top it off.

Jontay

I looked at my records and I'm actually closer to changing my oil every 7 to 10K using the semi-synthetic. Due to arthritis and the hassle from getting underneath the vehicle I also changed my oil filter every other oil change on a couple of the oil changes. From here on out, I'm going to move that up to changing every 3 to 4 K and change the oil filter each time. I think I'll try the Pennzoil oil that you guys are talking about. Just curious, is that Pennzoil Ultra or High Mileage a synthetic, semi synthetic or dinosaur/regular oil?
The two Lexus cars I've owned have been Far and Away the best vehicles I've ever owned. My ultimate goal is always to be able to move into a 2012 or newer LS460 someday.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

7-10k miles is not good, instead of changing your own oil. Why not take it to a toyota dealer and have them change it for you? Sometimes, toyota offers/coupons killer deals on oil changes. No sense in getting dirty when toyota can change it for about the same or cheaper as it would cost you.

This way you can sit down in there lounge and enjoy a free cappuccino

But if your still wanting to do your own oil changes, I hear Amazon oil is very good and very cheap. Its a full synthetic! No need to do any special oil as 7-10k miles and you only burned 1qt is actually pretty good. Just keep sticking to your oil changes, and you should be fine.

ServerTech

I buy Mobil-1 5-30 full synthetic for $36.00 (6 Qts) and genuine Toyota filters for $4.25 each (case of 10 for $42.50 delivered). It takes me less time to change the oil at home than it does to drive to the dealer, wait for the work to be done, and drive back home.
For the arthritis try Celebrex and turmeric. Hope you feel better.

Lwerewolf

7-10k on a semi-synth is WAY too long. Do 2-3k OCIs with filter change, flush before change. Use quality full synthetics, they might be able to swell the seals.
Do long drives, most oil additives need the oil to be at operating temps to do their job.

For the record - gs450h, first "OCI" I did was 10k miles with toyota 0w-20 (at least according to the maintenance log set by the owner). Didn't burn any oil but I quickly switched to a xw-30, 2.5k initial two then 6k OCI (redline 5-30, amsoil SS 5-30 and lately 10-30... so pretty low chance of the oil "burning" haha).
Same engine.

Of course, if you just want to get that ls460... keep in mind the electronic brake assist pump and the control arm issues (I think that's about it for the model, assuming no air suspension, but do your homework regardless), and go for it I guess. Best looking LS in my opinion
Engine is pretty much an 8-cylinder 2GR-FSE.

Jontay

I buy the Toyota oil filters from Lexus @ approx $4-5/ea (04152-YZZA5).

Thanks for the tip with the medicines but Im quite a ways past all that...I'm now 58 and had both hips replaced in 2011 and right shoulder in 2013. The shoulder is actually the worst of it all as it's my dominant shoulder and shoulders can be a difficult replacement.... range of motion and strength have diminished and I think that also has come with a torn rotator cuff now. So reaching around underneath the car is not something I look forward to....hence, the delayed oil changes (which I will be changing much more frequently, regardless). Have arthtitis pretty much all over.....grip strength is especially weak and toes, fingers, knees, etc are all pretty painful.
As they say....Getting old ain't for p***ies! Lol.

I like ibidu1's advice on the coupon dealer oil changes. Any idea where I find the coupons?

Can someone please clue me in: OCI....Oil Change Intervals??

Thanks again for everyones input. I really learn a lot from these forums!
[sorry, but I just love all these clever little emoji's on here)

Jontay

For the arthritis try Celebrex and turmeric.

Just read some information about the Turmeric. I'll be looking into that. Thanks for the advice.

Lwerewolf

FYI, Toyota's (well, Denso's) oil filters don't have the best of reputation on sites such as bobistheoilguy. I'm using mann filters (says "made in germany", so I hope it's real... people have doubts about their china-made stuff but the other media is apparently very good ^_^), can't get fram ultra & the other nice things easily here (nope, no amsoil ea15k49 in stock nearby... go figure).

Given your conditions, ibidu1's advice for the dealer oil changes sounds killer, especially if you enjoy the coffee. Just make sure that you know what they're putting in.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Go to your local toyota dealers website, click specials, then service coupons. They almost always have oil change specials like $15 conventional and $35 synthetic oil changes.

samsonn25

I use Groupon on my local Toyota dealer for $25 up to 5 quarts. Lexus dealer is $79