2010 lx570 oil analysis (head gasket)

[TTO5]

Several posts ago I shared my current situation on my 2010 lx570 with 235k that developed a misfire cylinder 4. Further diagnostics showed head gasket issue. Decided to swap in an engine with 45k on it. Prior to removal of the damaged engine I drained some oil (the oil only had about 1k miles on it since it's last oil change). Sent the sample to blackstone and sure enough they found coolant in the oil. Some of you wanted to see the report so here it is.

 

[ryanCA]

Thank you for sharing.

Where did you buy the "Decided to swap in an engine with 45k on it. " and how much did you pay for the motor and the swap?


Sounds like the 200 series is the new Subaru with all the rampant HG issues.

 

[TTO5]

Motor is from ebay $6 k shipped to my installer. Labor was $3k including re sealing valley pan on engine prior to install (didn't need it but no better time to do it)

 

[rexington14]

Thanks for posting the results. It makes me wonder if you were doing regular oil analysis with each oil change, how far in advance coolant could be detected in the oil before problems start showing up. My guess is there wouldn't be much advance warning at all, though. However it is good to see that the oil analysis picked it up at this stage.

So about $10k total for the swap? Wonder how much it would have been to just do head gaskets? But then you'd have to deal with unknowns of if the heads and/or block warped. Has the shop tore into the old motor to check? Did it have the same pattern of failure at the coating of the coolant passageway right next to the cylinder? Based on the other metals and per the comments in the report the engine may still be in relatively good shape otherwise.

 

[TTO5]

Thanks for posting the results. It makes me wonder if you were doing regular oil analysis with each oil change, how far in advance coolant could be detected in the oil before problems start showing up. My guess is there wouldn't be much advance warning at all, though. However it is good to see that the oil analysis picked it up at this stage.

So about $10k total for the swap? Wonder how much it would have been to just do head gaskets? But then you'd have to deal with unknowns of if the heads and/or block warped. Has the shop tore into the old motor to check? Did it have the same pattern of failure at the coating of the coolant passageway right next to the cylinder? Based on the other metals and per the comments in the report the engine may still be in relatively good shape otherwise.

Yeah with the mileage it just made more sense to me to swap the whole engine. If I hadn't found one with such low mileage (45k) I probably would have fixed mine. I had a lot of tapping from the timing chain tensioner so would have had to address all that too. Amazing how much quieter this engine is. I sold the old engine to the shop that did the swap and he's supposed to send me pics once it's torn down.

 

[TTO5]

So in an effort to prevent the head gasket issue in my replacement engine do you all think a once a year drain and refill of the coolant is good prevention? Just drain the radiator not the engine block? Thoughts?

 

[2021 LC200]

IMO it is not the coolant or low pH of the same (several of us have measured and do not see a drop in pH). It is the factory installed radiator until late 2018 which cracks at the top and an overheating event warping the block (see example pictures below from other forum member).

Getting the latest OEM radiator and potentially an OBD2 device which sounds an alarm when temps goes above normal (like the UltraGauge MX v1.4) are more direct measures to prevent this.

Having said that, I am not going to ignore coolant however not increase frequency of change beyond radiator only every 50k miles or about 5 years at the pace I am going at the moment. Others have suggested every 30k miles which would equate to an approximate full flush every 100k miles per factory recommendation. Eitherway is probably fine, perhaps every 30k miles in your case after the failure with your original engine.

 

[ryanCA]

Motor is from ebay $6 k shipped to my installer.

Sounds like a great price, given there is like 2-3 threads around here where people can't find motors, and are quoted $30K for swaps etc.

Glad to see yours is sorted.

 

[TTO5]

Sounds like a great price, given there is like 2-3 threads around here where people can't find motors, and are quoted $30K for swaps etc.

Glad to see yours is sorted.

Would you be able to tell me what the title of those threads are? I'd like to read them. Thank you

 

[ryanCA]

Would you be able to tell me what the title of those threads are? I'd like to read them. Thank you

there is quite a few

my search skills are as poor quality as 200 series head gaskets

here is one P0335…to a bent valve (update...and it's not good…but it’s getting better...She's ALIVE!) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/p0335-to-a-bent-valve-update-and-its-not-good-but-its-getting-better-shes-alive.1334346/

Death of a 3UR

Initial info: 2014 and 15xxxx miles. Oil level good and just hit 5k oci and was set to be changed. Drove fine on mix of interstate and secondary roads until parked. Wife reports that as she parked it developed a rough idle just before turning off. Will not start after. Several jump attempts...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[yOHda]

Sounds like a great price, given there is like 2-3 threads around here where people can't find motors, and are quoted $30K for swaps etc.

Glad to see yours is sorted.

Where are they looking? I found 10 low mileage cruiser engines from MD to CA in the neighborhood of 6k some with warranties on carpart. They don’t seem that hard to find. I didn’t even search Tundra engines.

I will also say my 2013 replacement engine (Tundra, 4,500 with warranty, 113k miles) for my tundra was much quieter and smoother than my 08 engine.

 

[ryanCA]

Where are they looking?

No clue.

If my 200 motor dies, my 200 will be gone.