Oil Change Question
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
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From: NC
Oil Change Question
When we purchased our 2001 RX 300 it had 160,800 miles on it. And it was serviced at our local Toyota dealership.
Did some research at lexus.com and found out that at 30,190 miles, it had "PSTN W/PIN,OR ROD,RING (ALL) R&R ** WARRANTY OPCODE **" and "CRNKSHFT &/OR CRNKSHFT BRNG R&R" performed.
The time is approaching for us to do our first oil change and my question is this: Knowing about the sludge issue these vehicles have and based upon this post https://www.clublexus.com/forums/4797937-post2.html in this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...il-change.html would it be wise to run an engine flush since I have no idea if there's sludge in there or not?
We checked the oil a few days ago just to make sure the engine isn't burning it and the level hasn't changed any and the oil is amazingly clean. We plan on using synthetic from here on out.
Tina
Did some research at lexus.com and found out that at 30,190 miles, it had "PSTN W/PIN,OR ROD,RING (ALL) R&R ** WARRANTY OPCODE **" and "CRNKSHFT &/OR CRNKSHFT BRNG R&R" performed.
The time is approaching for us to do our first oil change and my question is this: Knowing about the sludge issue these vehicles have and based upon this post https://www.clublexus.com/forums/4797937-post2.html in this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...il-change.html would it be wise to run an engine flush since I have no idea if there's sludge in there or not?
We checked the oil a few days ago just to make sure the engine isn't burning it and the level hasn't changed any and the oil is amazingly clean. We plan on using synthetic from here on out.
Tina
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,724
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From: NJ
No, at that many miles leave it alone. I'm not a big fan of engine flushes anyways, they seem to cause more harm.
If you are really curious about sludge pop the front valve cover open and check.
How many miles did you run this oil? If it didn't consume any, then that's a good sign. Usually with sludge build-up, you consume a lot of oil.
If you are really curious about sludge pop the front valve cover open and check.
How many miles did you run this oil? If it didn't consume any, then that's a good sign. Usually with sludge build-up, you consume a lot of oil.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: NC
No, at that many miles leave it alone. I'm not a big fan of engine flushes anyways, they seem to cause more harm.
How many miles did you run this oil? If it didn't consume any, then that's a good sign. Usually with sludge build-up, you consume a lot of oil.
Thanks for your help.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
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From: Sacramento, California
Many, as I have found the Castrol 0-30 weight German European synthetic oil does a great job of cleaning the engine. After I switch to that oil I even noticed that the crust under the oil fill cap disappeared.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,724
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From: NJ
The crust disappeared on mine as well using PP 5W-30. However, I suspect it was due to age rather than the oil.
German Castrol 0W-30 only has a TBN of 9.7, while Pennzoil Platinum has a TBN of 12.3
The higher the TBN the better, it's essentially what takes care of all of the acids in the engine. Keep in mind, TBN is not the only thing that keeps the engine clean, but it is one of the most important.
This is why I'm a big fan of PP, especially in this application. Helps keep the engine remarkably clean!
German Castrol 0W-30 only has a TBN of 9.7, while Pennzoil Platinum has a TBN of 12.3
The higher the TBN the better, it's essentially what takes care of all of the acids in the engine. Keep in mind, TBN is not the only thing that keeps the engine clean, but it is one of the most important.
This is why I'm a big fan of PP, especially in this application. Helps keep the engine remarkably clean!
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I have had experience with it and would never recommend it. (engine flush, at any time) Products like Auto-RX, Castrol Synthetic (German), Pennzoil Platinum (or Pennzoil Ultra) remove the deposits, but not by a flush. They slowly dissolve the deposits and then the deposits (in liquid suspension in the oil) are drained with the oil change. Flushes (if the chemicals are powerful) break the junk all loose at once, it clogs the pick-up screen and oil starvation is the end result. Your new replacement engine should run great for a long time with proper care. (proper oil, change intervals and NO FLUSHES!) LOL
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