Cleaning up a 09 Lexus ES350 engine

[Patrick0525]

Some history:
2017 purchased from a friend with 41k of unknown oil maintenance history
2024 currently @62k with annual 3k-4k oil changes using PP 5w-30. The filter is Fram ultra or Toyota TRD synthetic media. The yearly UOA is typically Fe 1ppm/ 1k mi, 7 yrs of UOA history.

This is a V6 2GR-FE port injection with no oil consumption. The PVC has been changed.

Want to do a prophylactic piston oil ring cleanup next year using Cummins/Valvoline Blue Restore Gen 2
C898013GA (Gen2) $74@ Cummins dealer

Recommendations for a one time two year oil change with four 6 months filter changes. Capacity is 6qts.

I was thinking aggressively:
4 qts Blue Restore 10w-30
2 qts PP/M1 0w-30

Reside in SE PA so 5w-30 is desirable.

 

[cptbarkey]

This kind of therapy is for a clapped out Bonneville with 300k from 1997, not really for a grandpa car that was driven around the block once a month. Kudos for giving extra special care anyway. Take boroscope photos or remove the valve covers if you want actual before/after results. Good luck.

 

[SimpleSyrup]

Absent any evidence of necessity, I think this takes on a lot more risk than necessary.

If it's not burning any oil, I would just drive it. Normal oil change intervals.

If you're going to spend the $74 on the Cummins product, just buy an OEM valve cover gasket instead and take a look and see if it's even goopey.

 

[Glenda W.]

If you’re concerned I would just do the 4 oci’s of Valvoline R&P and call it a day. Then switch to your preferred oil. Or just run M1 EP or ESP and forget about it.

 

[someonesomewhere]

If you're going to spend the $74 on the Cummins product, just buy an OEM valve cover gasket instead and take a look and see if it's even goopey.

This should probably be step 1 before doing any of these cleanups, especially on a new-to-you used car with unknown maintenance history but low mileage. Maybe oil pan, as well, so you can have an actual reference for before/after results IF any such clean up is even warranted. Pop that VC off, it may look factory fresh under there. Just my opinion!

 

[Patrick0525]

Not removing the valve cover as a DYI project. Too many internal o-rings for the VVTI and a banjo bolt.
Too many things to go wrong and need to leave it to the professionals. A bore scope is more cost effective and plausible.

 

[buster]

You could do that or just use R&P which won't clean as aggressively but will over time achieve the same results. R&P is the ideal choice IMO.

The two most potent engine cleaners I've seen are BG Dynamic Engine Cleaner and Valvoline R&P Gen2.

After that R&P, HPL and maybe Amsoil SS etc. Or other oils having some group V. But only R&P has truly been tested against piston deposits FWIW.

 

[irollo]

So no actual problem, you just want something to do?

 

[Patrick0525]

So no actual problem, you just want something to do?

U are correct. I need something to brag to my brother who has a 2011 Volvo C70 with notorious oil consumption. He only has 35k miles but no oil consumption yet.

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

If there are no issues, I wouldn’t do a thing.

 

[GSCJR]

I need something to brag to my brother

You already have it, a 2GR-FE with no issues at almost twice the mileage.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Not removing the valve cover as a DYI project. Too many internal o-rings for the VVTI and a banjo bolt.
Too many things to go wrong and need to leave it to the professionals. A bore scope is more cost effective and plausible.

Changing your oil and filter twice a year and no UOA makes it a whole lot cheaper than your OCI's.

 

[Patrick0525]

If there are no issues, I wouldn’t do a thing.

I was thinking this matter over and what I could do is go all the way 100% full-strength 6qts but do a voa and verify that the Phosphorus level isn’t high enough kill the cat. Then in the spring of 2025 April do the Restore Blue gen2 OC, next drain in 2025 Dec -use PUP 5w-30 and then do a 2026 April OC with the Dec 2025 old oil. Of course the recycled oil will be filtered and would only have 3-4k.

 

[SimpleSyrup]

I was thinking this matter over and what I could do is go all the way 100% full-strength 6qts but do a voa and verify that the Phosphorus level isn’t high enough kill the cat. Then in the spring of 2025 April do the Restore Blue gen2 OC, next drain in 2025 Dec -use PUP 5w-30 and then do a 2026 April OC with the Dec 2025 old oil. Of course the recycled oil will be filtered and would only have 3-

Uh wut?

 

[wsar10]

U are correct. I need something to brag to my brother who has a 2011 Volvo C70 with notorious oil consumption. He only has 35k miles but no oil consumption yet.

Nice! Love the honesty....

Here is some more (tongue and cheek) honesty for ya! You already have bragging rights, you have a LEXUS he is in a Volvo...
You could show up without an engine and still be able to brag about how smooth the ride in was!!! LOL

 

[Patrick0525]

Nice! Love the honesty....

Here is some more (tongue and cheek) honesty for ya! You already have bragging rights, you have a LEXUS he is in a Volvo...
You could show up without an engine and still be able to brag about how smooth the ride in was!!! LOL

My brother’s two other cars are a 24 RX350 and a 08 RX350. Both Lexus’

 

[burbguy82]

Valvoline RP?

 

[Patrick0525]

Valvoline RP?

I have decided to go with VRP. There is a $5 PayPal/venmo card too till Aug 2025. Anecdotal BITOG that it does a slow clean.

 

[Intelligent Molecule]

This whole deal is really out there, even by BITOG standards! Just take it for a nice long highway drive from time to time and forget all the other stuff.

 

[jjblbi]

It would be best to check under the vale cover. Absent that, I would just add 4 oz. of Seafoam to the crankcase about 100 miles before the next couple of oil and filter changes...