After an uneventful 70,000 mile oil change on my 2005 RX330, I drove a few blocks and the check engine light went on and the VSC light went on andI noticed a burning smell. I drove back that few blocks and left it at the then closed dealer. The next day they say I need a new radiator, 02 sensor and a valve cover gasket seal.
I had no problems before the oil change!
Since, they have covered the radiator and the02 sensor under goodwill waranty and reduced the price on the seal for the gasket cover to $421.
They say they put in 5 quarts of oil and that after driving those few blocks I was down half a quart. Do you think I could have lost over a half of quart of oil from the seal leak wothout ever noticing a problem the 5000 miles I drove between oil changes.
Do you think having a bad radiator would cause the gasket to crack and leak?
Help! Please need your advice.
Patty

 

O2 sensor failure would be real hard to pin on any sort of over or underfilled oil level. I suppose the only theoretical failure of an O2 sensor due to oil would be due to oil seeping past the piston rings. Even this should not have anything to do with over or underfilled oil level (within reason, 1-2 qts one way or the other). Valve cover gasket is also hard to pin on an oil change, however crankcase pressure can go up if the oil level is too high due to foaming of the oil. Crankcase pressure will only go up, however, if the Positive crankcase vent system is not functioning properly.

I truly suspect this is all just a matter of coincidence. Please have them check out the PCV system whilst doing the repairs to the other systems.

 

Okay, wait. You drove 'a few' blocks as in how many blocks? 3000 blocks? If a few is say 10 miles or less, you shouldn't be burning off 1/2 quart of motor oil and if you really did lose 1/2 quart in such a short time, that would explain the failure of the oxygen sensor. Radiator is bad as in what? It was leaking? Just seems strange that it all came at once, but hey... "S" happens...

 

My O2 sensor failed on my 1999 GS300 almost 2 days after a very expensive 60K mile service. I believe it was just a coincidence. My dealer replaced it under goodwill warranty. It made me feel much better about overpaying for scheduled service. Just another reason to support your local dealer.

As for your oil usage, I'm not sure I can explain that one.