I own a 2001 RX300 with 127,000 miles. One owner.
Over the last two months I have had to add 4-5 qts of oil EACH MONTH.

 

UH OH...(hide) You may have an oil gelling issue going on here.

 

So.....what does that mean? Obviously not good. But is it a major issue or a fixable issue?

 

If thats what it is,(sounds like it though) Your not leaking the oil out are you? Do you notice any blue smoke at start up,or any time comming out of the exhaust? This sounds like it may be a sever case of gelling.If it is,you can try auto RX,but it may be too far gone.Still I would get two bottles of auto RX,and do two treatments.Other wise you`ll need a motor rebuild/replacement.

 

Not leaking oil and no blue smoke.
I figured it was something serious. Ugh. I'll get the auto RX and try that.
Guess I need to go car shopping.
Thank you for your help.

 

Can you have someone pull the front valve cover,and make sure thats what it is?

 

Sure. How will they know..is it obvious?

 

Yep,it`l be obvious

 

HY!

In europe some engines with this problem. The piston rings are stiff (sorry no other word) and the funktion is off. Make a oil-change with filter and gives 15min before the change, the Engine Cleaner from Liqui Moly into the oil. He cleans the fixed piston rings and the other oil dirt in the engine and the oil consumtion goes to normal.



greets

Tom

 

Also remember that the sludge problem is covered by an 8 year 120 day warranty. I hope yours falls with that range......

 

I would say, hold off any treatment.

Symptoms are listed, but logical diagnosis is missing.

You need to trace where the oil is going.

1. Burning.
2. Leaking

Salim

 

I agree with Salimshah, hold off on treatment until you see if it is sludge and whether or not you fall under the sludge warranty. You'll need to check the sale date (probably the date they use), and see if you have any reasonable records of periodic oil changes. If your research shows you're still under the sludge warranty, I'd husstle to a Lexus dealer and invest in having them pull the valve covers and look for sludge.

 

I had an auto tech look at the front valve cover, ect. No gelling. So..now what?
No gelling. No smoke. No leakage. Where is the oil going?

 

Have you checked the coolant?
Compression?
Thorough inspection of the engine to transmission coupling (rear main seal leak)
Front of the engine for front main seal leak.
Timing cover.

Are you getting a carbon deposit on rear bumper above the exhaust?


If all come back negative, I would watch the level over next few days/week [it could be low since the last oil change]

Salim

 

What grade oil are you using??