Blue Smoke From Exhaust

[Tillobear]

My 99 ES 300 puffs out blue smoke when I start it. It doesn't do it every time, but it doesn't seem to matter whether its been sitting for a long period of time or not. The car has 89,000 miles but I've only had it for a year during which time I have maintained it properly via Lexus of Sacramento. Everything I've read leads me to believe the car has the sludge problem, so last week I took it in to the dealer to see. Well, the service writer explained that Toyota's offer to fix such problems has expired. My car was originally sold in February of 99 so it is less than eight years old, but the guy insisted the program is over. He told me the problem with my car is no doubt the valve stem seals, rather than sludge anyway, so it wouldn't matter, and that t would cost $4,200.00 to fix. (I wonder what he would have said had my husband been there.) I asked him why would the valve stem seals be bad on a motor with only 89,000 - he said due to lack of oil changes. I argued with him that sludge is caused by the same thing and why was he so sure sludge isn't the problem. So he started spewing the bit about Toyota not fixing sludge problems blah blah blah...

He suggested I have an oil consumption test done but since my car doesn't use oil, I told him I wanted the valve covers pulled. About an hour later, the service writer took me to look at the motor. The mechanic showed me there was no sign of sludge, that it looked really good and has been well taken care of. He said the valve stem seals looked good. (Compared to some of the pictures I've seen today on this site, I'd say it looked slightly varnished.) Anyway, they changed the oil and said to come back in 2,000 miles so they can check the level. Oh, and the tech said he could not detect any blue smoke on start up after numerous tries. And of course no one was paying attention when I started the car and it puffed blue smoke.

Now I'm really confused - if the car has been so well taken care of like the tech said, why would the valve stem seals be bad, as the service writer said. (He walked away before I could ask him.) Would the tech be able to say for certain that the seals are good just by pulling the valve covers? Is it possible that in about one hour's time they could have cleaned up any evidence of sludge before showing it to me? Or if the dealer from whom I bought the car cleaned up any signs of sludge under the valve covers, could a Lexus tech be fooled exactly one year later? Has anyone heard that Toyota is no longer fixing sludge problems on cars less than eight years old? How would I go about getting my oil analyzed? I'm sorry for all the questions but I'm not about to plunk down $4,200.00 until I know the car needs it. :( Thanks!!

[camlex]

Hello,

I am sure they checked "PCV"

I had same problem @130,000. After PCV changed, I never see any blue smoke at starting.Now i have 172,000

[Toysrme]

Everything I've read leads me to believe the car has the sludge problem, so last week I took it in to the dealer to see.

Then no offince, but you need to keep reading.

Your described problem has nothing to do with sludge, and everything to do with worn valve stem seals. (You'll find that out if you keep researching.)

He told me the problem with my car is no doubt the valve stem seals, rather than sludge anyway, so it wouldn't matter, and that t would cost $4,200.00 to fix. (I wonder what he would have said had my husband been there.)

The same thing, Lexus overcharges for services so much it's a complete joke to most of us & comes up with the most expencive ways to do things.

I asked him why would the valve stem seals be bad on a motor with only 89,000 - he said due to lack of oil changes.

While used up/old oil will eat up rubber, valve stem seals are a wear item. it happens. Failing at 40,000 miles is uncommon, at your mileage it's not uncommon for them to have wear. If yours are leaking some, that's just it. One, or a couple have some wear on them. Regardless of any engine, they're all wear items & any style, on any engine.

Compared to some of the pictures I've seen today on this site, I'd say it looked slightly varnished.)

This is 100% normal & what you want to see.

Toyota is still fixing any sludge related damage. 8 years, or unlimited mileage. 97-01's. Prove you've changed the oil in about the last year, blah blah blah.

Might as well pull the PCV valve out like camlex said & change it. Cheap part, couple bucks, no biggie.

[monarch]

The puff of smoke at start up is common on many 1990's Toyota engines that have had an irregular oil change history. The puff is caused by motor oil that leaks past the valve stem seals into the combustion chamber when the engine is shut down.

The good news is that the puff is just a nuisance and is not harmful and will not likely worsen if you simply keep up of oil changes and other preventive maintenance in the future.

Sometimes the tendency to puff can be reduced and possibly eliminated by cleaning the throttle plate http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/tbclean.jpg and installing a new PCV valve as camlex suggested. Since your ES is mechanically identical to a Toyota Camry V6, you can save money by having it serviced by a Toyota dealer.

Tell the dealer you want the throttle plate cleaned http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/tbclean.jpg and a new PCV valve installed. Since cleaning the throttle plate is just a simple 10 minute affair, the dealer will likely try to talk you into some other extravagant sounding cleaning process that is much more expensive. If that happens e forceful and tell the dealer "please just clean my throttle plate or I'll buy a $5.00 can of Toyota throttle plate cleaner from your parts dept and spray, scrub and wipe it clean myself."

[Lexusfreak]

Perhaps contact Lexus USA head office as well to explain things & consider taking your car to another Lexus dealer to examine. Changing the PCV valve is a wise idea. But the sludge warranty is still in effect. B)

[Tillobear]

Thanks for the advice! :)

[es3OO]

Get a second opinion on your car's issue. Take it to Lexus of Roseville. Lexus of Sac tends to over-exaggerate small issues and will always try to hit you with a large repair bill.

[Lexusfreak]

Thanks for the advice! :)

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Keep us posted & let us know if you make any headway. B)