Hello all, I just had a friend who dropped off a 2001 Rx300 awd. I plugged it into my obd and got P0330 knock sensor bank 2, and P1354 VVI sensor malfunction.

A little from the owners history with vehicle, bought the vehicle 140000kms and it now has 167000kms, from original owners and was in very nice condition. He was informed about the vsc and how they had it serviced, and if the vsc had returned there is a simple fix if searched online(referring to knock sensor bypass I assume from my researching) and it isn't a major issue. So he has continued to drive it since.

He has regular maintenance performed at the lexus dealership. He just had Lexus perform A FRESH OIL change and asked for a full inspection and received a $7000 cdn dollar quote. From what I was told it was for front/rear valve covers, pretty much all the sensors, spark plugs, timing redone, water pump, all fluids flushed changed, full brake job, and a few other items I'm sure I am forgetting. They had reported the p0330 code as well. All in all the vehicle was running well, he just wanted a check up.

After a week of driving he got some bogging issues which he believed to be caused from the P0330.
After resetting the ecu to drive the vehicle it would run fine which he did for a few days of minimal driving, but it was reset multiple times.
He described it as about 15-20 mins of driving before the engine light would come on and then the vsc.
He would than experience bogging and if he maintained speed it wouldn't bog, he also experienced revving issues, I would assume during the power loss from the knock sensor.

From what I have researched, I figured replace the OCV for the p1354 and knock sensors/harness/bypass etc for the p0330 as well as getting the plugs and of course the valve covers, I also planned to test and clean some of the other sensors as well.

Immediately upon starting it felt fine idled a bit high, upon entering garage blue smoke was apparent. I checked the oil and there was a tad left below the min line. Remember he just had oil changed a few weeks ago. I removed the air intake and there was oil pooled in the hose 3-4 tablespoons and appearing to be coming from the vent line from the valve case.
It appeared most of the oil was going into the one side of the throttle body opening since it is a split design it was taking the easiest route. The throttle body is absolutely full of oil though.

Not sure if the OCV could cause this? I still haven't inspected it yet, I will tomorrow.

It appears like a small amount of water on top of the oil in the intake hose maybe 1/2 teaspoon and there was also a little water in the bottom of the intake box 1 tablespoon maybe.

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

While researching, I have found this oil blow by is primarily caused due to sludge from rear valve covers faulty design and directly affecting the ocv valve. I am just not sure how the oil has made its way to the bank 2 valve cover vac line.

Is it safe to say that there is not oil bypassing rings or other catastrophic failure that has occurred? And that this oil in the intake is just blow by?

Does a code normally come up for the pcv valve?

I will take some pics today.

Thanks for the heads up on the valve cover, I will take your advice and get the 3rd gen valve covers.

Just to confirm I will be needing a new pcv and the connecting hose for this cover, correct?

I am about to place an order for parts later, Here is the list let me know if I am missing anything. Going out to do some work I will check in later.

front/rear valve cover gaskets
spark plug gaskets
intake manifold gaskets
intake mani to throttle body gaskets
Rtv gasket maker-for tabs on valve covers? Seen Toyota tech youtube who did this? New cover doesn't have tabs?

2 knock sensors
harness
bypass hose
spark plugs
ocv valve for P1354 code, testing it, but should be replaced I'm thinking
new pcv for the redesigned valve cover.

Ordered the latest valve cover part 11201-0A060 $330.00 CND

I had thought it came with a redesigned pcv but they are saying it's the same part for pcv, I just need new hose 11261-20091.

Can anyone confirm this and let me know if I am missing any parts? I think I got them all.

I asked three different parts guys about this pcv. I finally ordered since they said that it is the only part listed. I will call back I guess?

So is the new hose for pcv required??

I just found pcv aka valve sub assembly ventilation, part 12204-20040 I will confirm this part number with them.

Are the valve cover bolts redesigned for that 3rd gen valve cover as well??

So the new bolt you used was different than this? It is a compression washer, with steel though, not composite.
It was completely loose, maybe 1.5 threads.... Toyota here wants $10 a bolt, seemed excessive until I found the loose one.

What about loctite?

What is your opinion on replacing just the rear valve cover bolts? Since that's $100 for bolts..

Do you know if the bolt considered non reusable in the manual?

I will not get the valve cover in until monday

Ok just confirming, I thought the bolt may have been superseded.

It appears many use the new bolts and/or stack washers. Not sure I am a fan of the stacking.

Not sure what to do...I will try to find these bolts in Canada...

Ordered a set of bolts to be safe for rear valve cover, got most of everything removed and have run into a few problems.

I basically just need to release pressure from fuel system, but the clip on the line I am not familiar with. I have a read it is a c type clip I nee to squeeze two sides and lift off clip then turn fuel line and pull.
Once I do get clip removed, Do I need the fuel line disconnect tool normally used to completely release.

I also have the 02 sensor at back grey clip, tough to reach or see, anyone know how this disconnects?

The power steering connector I still haven't found or I may have gotten it already? Is it against the firewall as well, I thought I seen salmi show a black connector near firewall correct.

Removing the harness clips on timing cover I haven't really tried them yetjust looking for Tips.

Thanks in advance..

First pic is Fuel line connector for future reference, I can't seem to get that one, and the harness drivers side.

Cant get either..