2001 RX300 Smokes Rebuilt Engine
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: texas
2001 RX300 Smokes Rebuilt Engine
This is my wife's car and she's going to kill me if I can't get her car to stop smoking. It has 114,000 miles and had the sludge and decided to have the engine rebuilt with new pistons, rings, oil pump, Lexus pvc valve etc. I think any new engine part that you could purchase new went into the motor. A certified mechanic rebuilt the engine, the heads were sent to the machine shop and we're redone. We picked up the car and it smokes Like The Mosquito Truck When You Start It . It is as bad or worse than it did before we spent the money to rebuild the engine. The ONLY reason I paid to have the engine rebuilt was because she loves the car and didn't want another car. Imagine that. Lol. It has gone back to the mechanic but he hasn't figured it out yet. I thought I would ask before he starts tearing it apart.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
thanks!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
thanks!
Last edited by kizmazz; Apr 7, 2019 at 07:48 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 29
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From: texas
It was just rebuilt a few days ago, the smoke is bluish and It's back at his shop. He thought he found the problem when he grabbed the PVC Valve and there was oil everywhere. The valve was defective and replaced with a Lexus valve but it still smokes. After you drive it and then let it sit for a few hours it blows so much smoke it covers the cars around you, it's awful . It used two quarts of oil in just a few days.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 2,077
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From: CA
Ya definitely something wrong if it's using oil. I was going to say, it can take a few days to stop smoking and making smells from a major repair. But this sounds bad. Give them a chance to try again I guess. Probably messed something up.
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 339
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From: Illinois
Wow, sounds like a bad case of blowby. Have them do a leak down test to determine if the rings or valve are sealing properly. I would have replaced the engine with a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) engine. Engines with sludge sometimes are too worn out to repair.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: texas
I took the RX back to the Mechanic to have it rechecked. After about four hours he sent me an email and said that the problem was a Defective Seal in the valve cover that goes to the Spark Plug. By the end of the day he had the seal replaced and called and said it was ready to be picked up. I was very dubious but took an Uber over and checked the car several time by starting it several time, and there was NIT any smoke. It just goes to show that even the smallest most inexpensive part can make you think the engine is bad.
Thanks for the input !
Thanks for the input !
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: texas
The mechanic got the smoking and oil usage to stop, said one of the inside valve cover seals didn't seat properly and let the oil out. He fixed it and everything has been fine for a few weeks.
yesterday I received a text and frantic phone call from my wife, the car had stopped and blocking traffic. Oh great!
I raced down to Memorial in my truck and got behind her so she wouldn't get hit by all the crazy drivers. Jeeez
I brought my jump box and it made a very low almost grinding starter sound but never started. There is a horrible feeling inside of me saying that it jumped time and the engine is toast. The RX went on a flat bed to the Mechanic but he hasn't looked at it since we are old business. Another feeling is that he didn't tighten the tensioner or left some bolts loose. I'm sure it will be my fault. lol I bought almost every part new, had the heads reworked at the machine shop, new pistons, rings, caps, bearings, oil pump, timing belt, seals you name it.
yesterday I received a text and frantic phone call from my wife, the car had stopped and blocking traffic. Oh great!
I raced down to Memorial in my truck and got behind her so she wouldn't get hit by all the crazy drivers. Jeeez
I brought my jump box and it made a very low almost grinding starter sound but never started. There is a horrible feeling inside of me saying that it jumped time and the engine is toast. The RX went on a flat bed to the Mechanic but he hasn't looked at it since we are old business. Another feeling is that he didn't tighten the tensioner or left some bolts loose. I'm sure it will be my fault. lol I bought almost every part new, had the heads reworked at the machine shop, new pistons, rings, caps, bearings, oil pump, timing belt, seals you name it.
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Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: CA
You provided the parts? Or bought them new through the shop? If you provided the parts and say a tensioner or any part you provided fails and damages the engine, the shop isn't responsible. Thats part of why shops charge more for parts. They have to warranty them and labor if they fail. Customers have the option to provide parts and save money on the repair, but risk paying for the part(s) and price of repair over again if it fails.
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