Hi

I have a 2000 RX300 with around 305k miles


The car has been burning a fair amount of oil for the last few years. I notice a puff of smoke on start up and also while i is warming up.

I know I leak a bit.. valve cover gaskets but I am going through a quart in about 500 miles. This is a bit of a gess but I beleive fairly close. I will need to monitor it a bit more.

I know that this is a sludge engine however I believe the burning is the biggest consumption factor.

I guess due to its age and mileage its most likely the rings or valve guides. Not much I can do at this point.

I have been running full synthetic for the last 3 years.

What will be the biggest impact of the oil burning?

A bad cat converter? I understand that there are 3 cats, one off each bank and then a rear one.

Just want to know what I should keep an eye out for.

The car still starts and runs like new otherwise.

 

You can be burning oil through the PCV. There are multiple threads and long discussions about this. You can jury rig a catch can in the PCV path. The other leaks may be reduced by using different oil [for high milage vehicles].

The biggest impact is on the others and the quality of air. Somewhere an owner has to put their beloved horse to sleep.
For the vehicle itself. you may end up stranded with oil on the plugs. Cat convertor getting clogged etc.

Keeping an eye out: watch your oil level. If it runs low, you may seize the engine. The oil warning light is not a good indicator for the level.

Salim