Eppieguy

I have noticed 3 times so far blue smoke coming out the tailpipe upon start up. I have not been able to reproduce the issue on demand but I have seen it myself 3 times and it concerns me a bit. It's a 2012 with 36k on it. I changed the oil at 1k, 5k, 10k, 20k & 30k. Last oil change was done by the dealer but every oil change was done with Lexus Filter and synthetic oil. I have not noticed a loss of oil by the dipstick either. I noticed the poof of smoke last week when I was outside at the carwash and one of the employees moved it. I also noticed it when I used remote start the other 2 times. It's not enough that I would be able to see it from inside the truck. I also have black carbon / soot build up in the bottom of my tailpipe but I think that's with all vehicles. Any ideas? I know if I bring it to Lexus they will say "Unable to duplicate issue" and send me on my way.

jtrue28

Does it smell like oil burning? The black around the tailpipe is from the higher octane fuel. (although it could be from oil too...)

T4Fun

smoke is oil burning until proven otherwise.
maybe leaky piston rings letting oil in chamber?
take it to dealer

Eppieguy

I've never gotten to smell it but from being a mechanic for many years I know the differences in smoke colors and what they mean. It's defiantly oil smoke, just not sure I can get it to happen on demand to show the dealer and wondered in anybody else has seen this before.

Craig B

No, never saw it on my 2010 or 2014, I would report it to the dealer so you at least have record of it happening if Lexus needs to step in. I change my oil once a year, or every 5000 miles on both of my vehicles.

JDSTL

Sounds like the valve seals. I'd take it to the dealer but they may have to keep it overnight if it only occurs on startup after sitting. Does it do it more when parked on an incline than when on level ground?

jtrue28

Definitely take it in to have this complaint in your service record.

We're going through a TSB right now where we're out of warranty, but because we had taken it in twice for the same issue well before the warranty expired, Lexus has stepped up to pay the full cost of the repairs ($3K).

Our dealer noted "Not able to duplicate condition..." both times that we brought it in. However, I don't think they were aware of the TSB that was issued for our condition and didn't really investigate the problem. But once Lexus corporate got involved, it's all being taken care of....

Long story short...when you have it noted in your service record, it's easier to show them that you attempted to get it fixed under warranty.

Eppieguy

My driveway and street parking are on a slight uphill incline, 2 times that I saw it happen is when I remote started it while it was facing up a slight incline. The other time it was facing downhill at the car wash and an attendant moved it while I watched and I saw the smoke.


I will take it in when I get a chance. I'll will have it for 3 years in July, it currently has 37,100 miles.

NTH

I'd definitely take it in while still under warranty. Blue smoke at start up does not sound good with only 37k miles.

Eppieguy

Appointment scheduled for Tuesday.

Eppieguy

I took it in today and nothing wrong found. They supposedly did a compression test, checked for codes, test drove, revved to high RPM's in shop and found nothing wrong. Oh well, I'll just nickname it smokey!

tecman

At least it is on record now. That being said, would taking it to another dealer be a lost cause?
If so, maybe another specialist besides the dealer could determine if there is a problem.

Eppieguy

I'm not super concerned, I'll keep an eye on it, bring it back again if I see a change or it happens more often. It's on record now, life goes on.