Oil Problem On 2001 Lexus Rx300

[Sportsturf]

I have a Lexus RX300 2001. 180,000 miles. When I check the oil it sometimes only shows a single drop at the bottom of the stick. Just had it changed 300 miles ago. I put 3/4 quart in the last time and the car is driven for a day. Backed car out of garage and there is an oil puddle on the floor. This has happened about 3 times in the past month. I have it changed every 3000-4000 miles and they say usually that its low. Have never had the oil light come on.

[eugene.s]

Well, to properly measure the level, check it with the cold engine. But if you have a puddle of oil behind your car, this means a leak to be fixed?! (unless the puddle is not of oil but of e.g. condensate from air conditioning -- which would be strange in this season...probably it's really oil)

[Sportsturf]

Thank you Eugene. We know we had a small oil leak like a drop or so once in a while but it seemed like after putting in oil when its low we probably got about 1/2 cup to a cup of oil leaking out. The car was warm when I checked the oil and put new in so I'll try to check the oil when engine is cold and also put it in when its cold. We'd like to keep the car through this winter but we'll see. Thanks again for the information.

[VBdenny]

When the oil was last changed, I'd have to guess that the crush ring wasn't. Often when there isn't one handy people will reuse the old crush ring (which is already crushed) and amazingly, they almost always work. Sometimes they don't and oil leaks. The other common place oil leaks occur might be the oil filter wasn't tightened enough. If I'm not mistaken, it is located right in the front of the engine. Take a rag (engine NOT running of course), reach down and see if you can tighten it. If it is tight, probably the crush ring.

Worst case scenarios

1. oil filter is cross threaded

2. Oil drain plug is cross threaded.

You do not want it to be either of them, especially the drain plug. In from what you have told me, you have justifiable cause to take it back to whomever changed it last and seek retribution. Do it soon or you could destroy your engine should the oil level drop too low.

[Sportsturf]

Thank you VB Denny,

I will check your information the next oil change. I never knew about the ring. I will ask about it. I think the drain plug is OK but I'll check that also. Good information.

[Drcoffee]

So on high mileage rx300 the valve cover gets gummed up and starts to suck oil up into the pcv valve.  Why? When they designed the baffle inside the valve cover, they coated it with a gray material like bedliner.  I have no idea why.  Over time the coating swells and breaks free, blocking the oils ability to drain out of the baffle.  The oil is effectly suck up like a straw in a glass.  The fix is to replace the rear valve cover.  A newly designed version is available now or you can buy a used one on ebay from a 2004 or newer rx330. The defective valve cover is on 99-2003 rx300.

 

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-1st-gen-1999-2003/582802-reengineered-rear-valve-cover-6.html

[antiqye1]

Are you using a funnel when pouring oil in or just free pouring it in the oil hole? Because I noticed the same thing your talking about, when I didn’t use a funnel. Not because I spilled any on engine, but if you unscrew the Lexus emblem holding down engine guard cover, right where the oil cap is. You will notice that when you free pour oil in with guard on, but miss hole a little bit, with guard on it looks like it wouldn’t leak down , but if you take guard off, there is a gap there and oil does drip down, if miss the hole, therefore oil spot on floor.