dutchie350

Hi everyone,

I had a couple of questions about this recall. I have searched this board and did a google search as well but came up with nothing. My car is an 07 is350 with 60k miles on it. Loving the car, but this recent 'issue' has me concerned. I had the valve spring recall done on my lexus is350 about a year ago.

My questions are:

1) When they do the valve spring recall work, what parts are replaced? Specifically I am wondering if they would have replaced the valve stem seals etc along with the springs. These are not always done on this type of job I believe, hence why I am asking.

2) has anyone has any issues with blue smoke on startup at times after this recall (or before for that matter)? And I did confirm with two other people what i was seeing was blue and not black or white. I realize that this points to an issue with a valve stem seal seeping oil into the combustion chamber. So if these were wearing and replaced during the valve spring recall, my issue perhaps points in another direction (pcv valve etc)

Thanks in advance!

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

I would imagine that the seals were not touched while in there. Just guessing, but I'd see only the springs themselves and the valve cover gaskets being replaced on such a job.

I've had mine done a LONG time ago; actually the previous owner did. Did you confirm that you've had blue smoke exiting the exhaust ever since the recall, or just recently noticed this? What kind of oil loss are you experiencing? I've got a '06 IS350 myself with 75k miles and the motor is perfectly healthy with no smoke whatsoever.

dutchie350

Gville,
Thanks for your reply. I just got off the phone with lexus. They don't do the valve seals apparently. For that they need to remove the valves, which of course they don't do on this procedure.
I had the blue smoke once or twice that i know of for sure before the recall and now after I would say between 3-5 times that i witnessed. Although given my oil useage, i assume it happens more often. I assume it a valve stem seal. Lexus told me to dump a can of conditioner in the oil before next change and to switch to synthetic. I am sure that will fix the problem lol . I loose about a litre every few thousand. I drive the car and give it a good romp every few days, but never abuse it, always premium gas. I also notice a huge amount of black/dirty smoke on hard acceleration...which is carbon/fuel related.
Forgot to mention, i had them do the plugs as well during the recall to save some $, as I was at 60k. The kept them for me and they looked decent with no plug in particular looking much worse than another.