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They're probably fine, as long as you follow a good oil + filter change interval.
When I did the gaskets the heads & valvetrain were really clean, except for some varnish on the driver's side (probably from PCV valve). I've been doing 5k mile changes with bulk dealer oil for the last 75k miles.
Chip H.
I do 6mo oil changes, full synth Valvoline oil, probably between 5-7kmi.
@ebradford - see if a local fab shop can fab you a new frame. If you can get it done and swapped over for ~$5k, well worth it if the rest of it is good. I guess vehicles are made as throw-away these days, but I find myself trying to keep my GX running good. I am even wanting to install the Phoenix Android tablet to replace the OEM radio/cassette, etc. And yeah, I know, sometimes it's not worth the headache, but if it's a spare vehicle then no rush, right? New frame, some better offroad suspension parts, then off to places you would have never taken it before
Yeah, I thought about doing that with a local shop but honestly, it wasn't worth the time, money or effort. Our '08 GX scratches my Lexus itch nicely!
I will say that I was/am continually impressed by the Toyota/Lexus engineering. 17 years on and there were still numerous driveline and steering parts that I never had to touch even once. I had a Cherokee that I bought new and it seemed to break stuff on a weekly basis. I am thinking about adding a Tundra to the herd, though (especially if it already had its frame replaced under recall).
Today was a Liqui-Moly Engine Flush day. (LM "#2027 Pro-Line")
225+kmi, decided to use a flush.
Ran a few errands, installed the flush, ran it for 10min, a few revs in that 10min period, drained oil, replaced oil with cheap SuperTech 5w30 and a cheap Fram filter, ran engine for another ~10min with 1-2 light revs in that period, drained oil again, filled with my fav Valvoline high mileage full-synth 5w30 and my fav WIX 51516 filter.
Does it work? I dunno, but, many u-toob vids shows that it does, AND, my old oil (Valvoline full-synth) did still look golden on the dipstick, but draining after the flush the oil that came out appeared much darker. I guess I could have been a tad more scientific about it and taken a before and after sample and had Blackstone tell me something about it, but, did not want to hassle with all that. I did however not look at the oil on dipstick just before dumping the flush out.
Anyways, that's what I did to my GX today. Now I need to get some new bulbs for the lower driving/fog lamps, my passenger one just died (they are still OEM bulbs from 2006 )
It probably did some good. But the 2UZ-FE is pretty easy on oil (doesn't degrade it all that quickly), so as long as you're using a good-quality commercial oil of the right grade, and changing it on time, you're going to be fine. When I replaced my valve cover gaskets, it was really clean in there.
I did an oil change of my own last night, ready to go for the winter now. Toyota filter and Canadian Tire Formula 1 full synthetic oil, I agree with the sentiment that these engines are easy on oil, it's still golden tinged at oil change time.
I like that the RCI skid allows oil changes without removing it, but that doesn't make them clean! I laid some shop towels down on the skidplate but the oil from the filter still goes everywhere and drips off the back edges of the skid, and the oil drain is WAY up above the skid requiring an extension to reach, and a long screwdriver to knock off the old washer. I need to figure out something better for next time to catch the oil that drops from the filter.
I did an oil change of my own last night, ready to go for the winter now. Toyota filter and Canadian Tire Formula 1 full synthetic oil, I agree with the sentiment that these engines are easy on oil, it's still golden tinged at oil change time.
I like that the RCI skid allows oil changes without removing it, but that doesn't make them clean! I laid some shop towels down on the skidplate but the oil from the filter still goes everywhere and drips off the back edges of the skid, and the oil drain is WAY up above the skid requiring an extension to reach, and a long screwdriver to knock off the old washer. I need to figure out something better for next time to catch the oil that drops from the filter.
Use a oil evacuator on next change, like a MIT7201, no need to undo the oil plug
Hmm. Try some Glad Press 'N' Seal
It's like cling-wrap, but one side is slightly sticky so it may stick to the inner side of the skidplate (have not tested this...)
I've also seen people use aluminum foil to form a funnel.
Did some fog lamp work today. These have been OEM since 2006.
The connectors were stuck on a bit, but a little pull with pliers and they came off w/o damage.
Buffed them out using Novus 3-2-1 stuff (3 step process using low rpm battery tool w/ sponge pad), then a light Turtle wax via hand cloth.
I bought two sets of H3's, one Philips VisionPlus and the other Hella +50 H3P50TB, each set a low cost set. I installed the Hella today. I'd say the Hella bulbs are between 3000-3200K. I do prefer a little yellow out on the road. My HID lights are probably between 4000-4500K.
Yeah, these H3's color do not match my HID's, but remember this, when driving you are not looking at the front of the vehicle. Having the mix of two light colors makes seeing the road better, especially when you mix in a little yellow (your eyes are more sensitive to yellow).
Took advantage of the promotion on the fairly new Firestone Destination AT2 running this weekend. Its a 3 Peak tire, will probably see more sandy beaches and slushy roads than mountain trails.
Thinking Vision MANX 398 wheels will look good on the GX. Or some classic 8 hole Mickey Thompsons, but that will show my age
09-30-20, 09:21 PM
