Damaged air filter and possibly overfilled oil (RCF)

[Rob RCF]

So I've had my RCF for a couple of months and was just doing some basic checks. When I pulled my air filter out it was a bit squashed and stained. When I tried to put it back in I couldn't get one edge to properly sit in place and seal as it was bowed on one side. It looks like someone has inspected it at some point and not reinstalled it correctly, just jammed it in, resulting in it becoming crushed and probably no longer sealing properly... Who would do this, a Lexus tech? I hope not.

Did the best I could to get it back in and then ordered a new filter.

Here's the new filter compared to the old one. It's hard to tell from this picture, but the new filter is much more rigid-feeling and the seal around the edges feels a bit more sturdy and chunky. They are both genuine filters btw, stamped with Toyota Denso.

When I put the new one in it fit very snugly and I was able to press it in all the way around the edges and it held in place nicely so I'm sure I'm getting a proper seal now.

Oh and by the way, if you remove your own filter you should really take the airbox cover completely out as I have above, it would be very tight and difficult otherwise. You just have to loosen the two clamps around the large intake tube, then wiggle it off, throttle body-end first. I'd encourage people to check theirs, it takes less than 15 mins to access, remove, check, reinstall and all you need is a 10mm socket or philips-head screwdriver, easy.

So the other problem I've been having is getting a good reading on my engine oil. The dipstick tends to smear, and my readings always come out too high. I was originally checking the oil level cold, then saw in the manual it said to bring the engine oil up to operating temp, turn off engine, wait 5 mins, then check. which I have now done with a similar result. My only conclusion is that I have too much engine oil, although admittedly my driveway isn't quite level (but close).

I might pop down to my local Lexus dealer to see if they will read the oil level for me. Bit disappointed so far, given that this car has full Lexus service history, and air filter and engine oil are about as basic as it gets, they should be spot on. Any thoughts?

[VFR]

The car that I have just bought had a least a half litre overfill  from the service they gave it, popped back in and a tech checked it then took it to the workshop to remedy it.

[Jez.w]

If you wipe the stick and then dip it, one side of the stick always give a clean reading or should do when you pull it out.

[hockeyedwards]

2 hours ago, Rob RCF said:

So I've had my RCF for a couple of months and was just doing some basic checks. When I pulled my air filter out it was a bit squashed and stained. When I tried to put it back in I couldn't get one edge to properly sit in place and seal as it was bowed on one side. It looks like someone has inspected it at some point and not reinstalled it correctly, just jammed it in, resulting in it becoming crushed and probably no longer sealing properly... Who would do this, a Lexus tech? I hope not.

Did the best I could to get it back in and then ordered a new filter.

Here's the new filter compared to the old one. It's hard to tell from this picture, but the new filter is much more rigid-feeling and the seal around the edges feels a bit more sturdy and chunky. They are both genuine filters btw, stamped with Toyota Denso.

When I put the new one in it fit very snugly and I was able to press it in all the way around the edges and it held in place nicely so I'm sure I'm getting a proper seal now.

Oh and by the way, if you remove your own filter you should really take the airbox cover completely out as I have above, it would be very tight and difficult otherwise. You just have to loosen the two clamps around the large intake tube, then wiggle it off, throttle body-end first. I'd encourage people to check theirs, it takes less than 15 mins to access, remove, check, reinstall and all you need is a 10mm socket or philips-head screwdriver, easy.

So the other problem I've been having is getting a good reading on my engine oil. The dipstick tends to smear, and my readings always come out too high. I was originally checking the oil level cold, then saw in the manual it said to bring the engine oil up to operating temp, turn off engine, wait 5 mins, then check. which I have now done with a similar result. My only conclusion is that I have too much engine oil, although admittedly my driveway isn't quite level (but close).

I might pop down to my local Lexus dealer to see if they will read the oil level for me. Bit disappointed so far, given that this car has full Lexus service history, and air filter and engine oil are about as basic as it gets, they should be spot on. Any thoughts?

Not sure why the pics don't load for me... however, I changed my filter out for an aftermarket one (at least 50bhp gain!) 😆, but I do remember the filter being a smidge fiddly to get in, but with a few mins of patience it wasn't that bad, so I agree it shouldn't be any trouble for Lexus themselves.

I'll have to check if our OBD reader can check my engine oil level, as we did a ABS pump bleed without issue (which I was told required dealer software), if successful I can let you know and maybe pop over and check yours?

Obvs you can just take it to Lexus and get the issues rectified/ checked but the offer will stand either way 🙂

[Rob RCF]

28 minutes ago, hockeyedwards said:

Not sure why the pics don't load for me...

Ugh, I copy and pasted them from my google photos album. It looked like they uploaded, but I think it actually ended up linking directly to them? I'll try and fix.

*Update - Crapply I can't edit my original post to fix the broken links, so I'll dump the images here I guess. If a mod sees this, please can you let me edit the original post?

[Rob RCF]

35 minutes ago, hockeyedwards said:

I'll have to check if our OBD reader can check my engine oil level, as we did a ABS pump bleed without issue (which I was told required dealer software), if successful I can let you know and maybe pop over and check yours?

Thanks, if you have a reader capable of doing it then I'd probably jump at the chance.

I saw (and heard) a white saloon giving it some up Ively road earlier. Wasn't you by chance? I was just pulling onto the roundabout didn't get a good enough look to see if it was a GSF.

[doog442]

That air filter looks like its never been changed, it could even be the original. As you say it looks like someone has taken a look, probably shook it out and refitted. I'm not sure what the servicing schedule is for the air filter and / or your mileage. 

 

[hockeyedwards]

1 hour ago, Rob RCF said:

Thanks, if you have a reader capable of doing it then I'd probably jump at the chance.

I saw (and heard) a white saloon giving it some up Ively road earlier. Wasn't you by chance? I was just pulling onto the roundabout didn't get a good enough look to see if it was a GSF.

I'll try and remember to give it a whirl tomorrow and then we can sort something out if it successfully reads it.

100% me on Ively 😛

[MNMJ]

21 hours ago, Rob RCF said:

I was originally checking the oil level cold, then saw in the manual it said to bring the engine oil up to operating temp, turn off engine, wait 5 mins, then check.

This 'manual' thing you speak of seems to be a goldmine of useful information. Thanks for the tip

[Rob RCF]

3 hours ago, MNMJ said:

This 'manual' thing you speak of seems to be a goldmine of useful information. Thanks for the tip

No probs. I'd recommend downloading the manual to your PC/phone and then use the search (ctrl-f) to quickly find stuff. https://www.lexus.co.uk/forms/manuals/owners-manual

Sadly there is a lot of useful stuff that is not in the manual too though! Like if you put the car in neutral instead of park before turning off the engine, ignition will stay on.

[Womble72]

I’d imagine Lexus techs are on the clock with regards to serving times/work time allocated, this is the issue on maindealers, I know each to their own BUT for me that’s why I always use an Indy specialist, complete opposite work ethic as it’s in their interest to do the job correctly….. the filter has probably been replaced with clips off and prising up for access, time saving exercise on a time and motion check which is what most corporate companies work to, another trick is to replace the oil filter and replace the 1 litre lost rather than the whole sump drained, gearbox oil change is another overlooked item (was with 2 of my IS’s with full dealer history)……oil is a hard one tbh, need to dip and wipe several times including rotating the head. Good luck with it

[Grey One]

I've owned two ISF's over 9 years and every service my local dealer overfills the engine oil when changing it, I had them drain some out the first time but left it after that, no harm done, it seems that is just how they do it...

[Pielight]

My 2016 RX450H oil level was always way above max on dipstick (checked as per the book) after being serviced, but the dealer insisted it was correct. No adverse effects experienced.

[hockeyedwards]

@Rob RCF apologies for sloppy/ delayed response, I had totally forgot 2 engines and 1 gearbox swap needed to occur on team cars this week and due to nut jobs panic buying fuel, I drove the LS for the week as it had a full tank, therefore, did not check whether our diag reads engine oil level! I am fuelling the GS up tonight and will be driving it next week so will definitely try it!

P.S if you hear a loud car goign round in circles tonight, its me trying to find f-ing fuel! 😆

[ColinBarber]

4 hours ago, hockeyedwards said:

did not check whether our diag reads engine oil level! I am fuelling the GS up tonight and will be driving it next week so will definitely try it!

I think the level sensor is just an on/off switch to detect if oil level is below minimum rather than having the ability give an accurate level reading.

[hockeyedwards]

3 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

I think the level sensor is just an on/off switch to detect if oil level is below minimum rather than having the ability give an accurate level reading.

I would suspect as much and haven't read into its possibility either, but worth a bash just in case!

[Rob RCF]

Tbh after hearing so many reports of oil being overfilled I'm no longer too worried, or at least it doesn't seem to be of urgent concern. Might drop into my local dealer at some point and try to have a word with one of the techs to see if they will check it for me and possibly remove some oil.