I have a 2003 RX300 that I have owned for 2 months. I was having issues with consuming oil, took the car back to the dealer.... they had it sent to a Lexus dealership who replaced the engine (b/c is was manufactured in the first 3 months of 2003 it was included in the suit). I work from home and barely drive the thing... but the oil light keeps coming on and we keep having to add oil. Not to mention it still smokes (not all the time, but probable every third start or so). What gives??? Does anyone know what engine was being used as a replacement on the RX300's that Lexus put new engines in? I'm starting to wonder if I was lied to about the new engine.

 

Did they say what they replaced specifically, ie the Long block, short block? Maybe they only changed the block, and the heads are messed up.....

 

You say you took it back to the dealer and they sent it to the Lexus dealer, who supposedly put in a new engine. I assume that means it was a used car dealer or another brand that you purchased it from. I think I smell a rat here somewhere. If the Lexus dealer actually put a new engine in it, there has to be paperwork to that effect. Did they give you such paperwork. I can't believe with a new engine that it is guzzling oil like that. Sorry, this one simply doesn't pass the smell test. A few more details please. I think you've been flim-flammed.

 

If its whitish-grey smoke, it's worn/burned valves/head; if its blue/brown/black smoke, it's pistons/block. Be careful not to mistake water vapor condensation on cold mornings for grey smoke, though.

A car with new rings/pistons/block will use more oil initially but it shouldn't be that much (maybe a 1/2 Quart in the first 500miles). If it's using more than this then the car appears to be burning oil (it's not leaking oil, is it?) - it shouldn't smoke!

I would ask to see the paperwork. It should be fine but in any event, get it back to the lexus dealer who replaced the engine and have them do something about it.

 

Engine have serial number. The paper trail should show that.

Salim

 

If you had it covered under the sludge/gelling lawsuit then they only did a short block (brand new one) and swapped your heads over from your other engine.

 

Exactly same thing happened with me.
I bought my used 2001 RX300 in 2005 from a Toyota dealer. Ran into the oil light issue within 1 month of buying the RX. Went to a Lexus dealer and they replaced some leaking gasket replacement, though i had not seen any leakage of oil on my driveway. Anyways was new to auto repair thingy and did not know the even Lexus dealership can BS.......
Ran into low oil light again after after 800miles. Went again to the same Lexus dealer. They filled the oil, sealed the oil plug with packaging tape and asked me to drive it for 1000 miles and come back.
Went again after 1000 miles. They found oil sludge issue. Kept the car for about 30 days. Gave me a loaner car free of cost.
The receipt shows all the work was covered by Lexus warranty and ran into about 5K. Also the receipt shows that following were changed:
block assembly(Short), timing belt, gasket kit engine, etc etc.

SO I WOULD ADVICE TO GO BACK TO THE LEXUS DEALER AGAIN.

 

So they didn't give you any BS about just buying it and oil change receipts from previous owners? Do you know was it serviced at Lexus?

 

From the Lexus database the 60K mile service was shown as being performed at Lexus Dealership. I really don't know about the other services, oil change,etc.
Though i had bought it from Toyota dealership, in case that made any difference.

Anyways i think a lot varies from dealership to dealership. If one dealer is giving you a hard time you can go to a different one. I am surprised that the dealership is BS you event though Lexus corporate covers the oil sludge repair.