My 10 year old Lexus IS350 has 92K miles. This car was taken to the Lexus Dealer to have an oil consumption test done due to the "low oil level" light coming on after ~1500 miles of driving. First off, the car does not blow any blue smoke upon start up or during driving. Secondly, the car has only the recommended viscosity oil and changed regularly. To be honest, I love everything about this car and this is incredibly disturbing to find this out.

THE RESULTS: I was told to drive it 1300 miles exactly. It was 1.5 quarts low after driving that recommended distance. Lexus Dealer/Service desk did acknowledge my IS350 was burning or consuming oil. Lexus Corporate paid the local Dealer to conduct a Leakdown test and compression tests ($500) with these results and recommendations:

CUSTOMER HERE FOR CONTINUATION OF OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. 1278 MILES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN PERFORMED A LEAK DOWN TEST, A DRY AND WET COMPRESSION TEST

CYL 1,2,3 BANK ONE HAVE 11% IO 12% LEAK DOWN WITH 145-150 PSI OF DRY AND 155-160 WET COMPRESSION TEST

CYL 2.4.6 BANK TWO HAVE 13-24% LEAK DOWN WITH 125-135 PSI OF DRY AND 150-165 PSI WET COMPRESSION TEST.

COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL. LEAKDOWN TEST SUGGESTS THAT THE CYLINDER WALLS MAYBE CORRUPTED... REQUIRING A BLOCK. ABOUT $7100. TEAR DOWN WOULD BE REQUIRED TO KNOW WHAT IT NEEDS FOR SURE.

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Finally, a Lexus Corporate Case Manager has contacted me stating they will not do anything further based on the results and the fact that the vehicle is out of warranty. I was very clear in stating this is a manufacturer defect where it's relevant to various Lexus and Toyota Camry model V6s. It's incredibly disappointing to find out about the problem and realize there is nothing they are willing to do. There was nothing they would do and it was pointless to argue. The replacement of the engine is almost as much as the car is worth. Then the question posed is "how many miles will this engine go before it burns oil?"

I could pay the Lexus Dealer to tear down the engine and no matter what they find: cylinder walls prematurely worn down (not my fault) or oil additive used causing cylinder walls/rings to wear faster (my fault.... Lexus will still do nothing about this problem!!!! If enough problems exist and people complain - then they will re-visit the possibility of replacing engines. For right now, the defect is acceptable and they are sitting on their hands!!!

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO if you have this problem - call Lexus Corporate and voice your opinion. They will need a Lexus Dealer to verify your car is, in fact, burning oil. Sounds dumb, but they have to verify your claim. Once they do that, it's documented. Even if your vehicle is out of warranty, there is hope IF enough people complain, they might do an out-of-warranty repair.

My local Toyota Lexus Specialist shops recommends an oil treatment additive ran through the engine which they feel will help reduce the consumption but not limiting it. At this point, the engine is FU*@'D so I should do whatever I can to reduce the oil consumption.

 

Interesting. It is a mass produced engine though, so there's always the likelihood of faulty parts making it's way in. As far as I can tell, it's really not common at all, and it is an engine they've been using in the IS and GS from 06 to the newest models with no block revisions AFAIK. Def not on the scale of the 2az-fe oil consumption problem Toyota eventually recalled. What oil have you been using throughout it's life? The old recommend 5w30, or the now recommend 0w20?

Lol @ $7100 though. It's better to go to your local junkyard and pick up a used one for around $2k. There's quite a few floating around eBay with 100k or less miles for $2k, give or take.

 

Exactly same thing happens to me. The district manager dispensed 1k to Lexus so it can cover the cost to break down the motor. Should it be fine or defected I will have to pay to repair/replace. If I don't they will leave the motor ripped apart As is, basically leaving me without a car. I was told Lucas oil does wonders for oil consumption but I'm afraid to use any additives.

 

Mine has the same issue. Oil burning, well serviced ever since I purchased it.

 

Mine consumes as well. Found out around 50k. But its within spec to what the manuel says which is 1qt every 2500 miles or so. I never fought it because it says its normal in the manuel. Car has 77k and I only drive it on the weekends so its no big deal to me. Just keep some oil in the trunk. Same thing I had to do with my VW before this car lol

 

My low oil light came on for the first time in 7 years, ever since I purchased it back in 09. I currently have 73 miles on it. So I will see at what rate it's burning and go from there.

 

^73 miles eh? LOL!

I've got nearly 100k miles on my '06 now and rag on it daily; I don't even lose a half quart in 10k miles.

 

I think he meant that hes only driven 73 miles since his oil change.

 

My bad, that was supposed to be 73K.

 

had my oil light come on 3 years ago found out i had a misfire lol there was no oil left in the engine scary

 

I just bought a super clean 06 IS350 and the owner advised me it burns about 1 quart every 1000 miles. Yes Im a bit concerned, but as long as it doesn't start blowing blue smoke I will just keep adding oil.

 

I also took my 07 Lexus 350 in to the dealership as it was burning more oil than expected. They claimed that its the norm for this car to burn that much oil. I didn't argue at the time but its interesting to see that others are having the same issue

 

I'm running into oil consumption issues for the first time in my 2006 is350 as well. Ranges from about a quart every 1000 to 3000 miles. I do have a leaking timing chain cover but never noticed any consumption issues. I'm going to take it to my mechanic to see what he thinks.

 

Rough to see so many IS350 owners now experiencing such oil consumption problems.

 

118000 miles and not a drop of oil being used up in my 2006 IS350 "knock on wood"