Lexus ES300 1992 Engine

SECTION 6 – 2
161
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications162 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel165 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level168 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level169 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the air cleaner element170 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINE
162
SPECIFICATIONS
− GENERAL
Model
Type
Bore and stroke
Displacement
Valve clearance (engine cold)
Intake
Exhaust
Drive belt tension
3VZ − FE
6 cylinder V type, 4 cycle, gasoline
87.5 mm x 82 mm (3.44 in. x 3 23 in.)
2959 cm
3 (180.5 cu.in.)
0.13 − 0.23 mm (0.005 − 0.009 in.)
0.27 − 0.37 mm (0.011 − 0.015 in.)
Automatic adjustment
− LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Oil capacity
Dry fill
Drain and refill
with filter
without filter
Oil grade (API):
5.0 L (5.3 qt., 4.4 Imp.qt.)
4.3 L (4.5 qt., 3.8 Imp.qt.)
4.1 L (4.3 qt., 3.6 Imp.gt.)
SG (Energy-Conserving II multigrade engine oil is
recommended)

ENGINE
163 − LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
− COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
8.5 L (9.0 qt., 7 5 Imp qt.)
Ethylene-glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol type.)
− FUEL
Research octane number
91 (Octane Rating 87) or higher (Only UNLEADED)
− IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug− Make NIPPONDENSO
NGK
− Gap
PQ20R
BCPR6EP-11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
− ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery− Specific gravity reading at 20
C (68
F):
1.280 Fully charged
1.180 Half charged
1.080 Discharged

ENGINE
164− ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
− Charging rates
Quick charge 15 A max.
Slow charge 5 A max.

ENGINE
165
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller
fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded
fuel will fit it, but the larger nozzle on pumps with leaded gas
will not.
NOTICE:
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will
cause the catalytic converter to lose its effectiveness
and the emission control system to function improperly.
Also, this can increase maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select Research Octane No. 91 (Octane Rating 87) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of
premium unleaded gasoline with a Research Octane No.
of 96 (Octane Rating 91) or higher is recommended.
Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating lower
than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If
severe, this will lead to engine damage.If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Lexus
dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking for a
short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern.
Gasolines containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends use of gasolines that contain
detergent additives to avoid build-up of engine deposits.
For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local gasoline
retailer.
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether)
are available in the market. If you use a gasoline mixed
with MTBE, make certain that it does not contain more
than 15% MTBE.
lf the use of gasolines containing MTBE causes poor drivability
and/or poor fuel economy, you should stop using them.

ENGINE
166
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you use
gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it is unleaded, has an
octane rating no lower than 87 and does not contain more
than 10% ethanol. Lexus does not recommend the use of
gasolines containing methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only gasoline
meeting the requirements above and also containing less than
5% methanol with cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for
methanol.
NOTICE:
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will
cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.
If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot
starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue
its use.
Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling.
Gasohol may cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
70 N (18.5 gal., 15.4 Imp.gal.)
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL
CONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling
the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine
oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders.
A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure
generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of
this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as
some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by
the high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves.
Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is burned along with the fuel.
High temperature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to
lubricate the exhaust valve stems.

ENGINE
167 The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high
speeds and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, note that
the oil may become diluted, making it difficult to judge the
true level accurately.
For example, it a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show
any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles)
or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted
with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then
driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear
that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle
maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum level so
that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essential
that the oil level be checked regularly. Lexus recommends that
the oil level he checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to
serious engine troubles due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see “Checking the
engine oil level” on page 168.
USED ENGINE OIL
CAUTION:
Used engine oil contains potentially harmful
contaminants which may cause skin disorders such as
inflammation or skin cancer, so care should be taken to
avoid prolonged and repeated contact with it. To
remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
Do not leave used oil within the reach of children.
Dispose of used oil and used oil filters only in a safe and
acceptable manner. Do not dispose of used oil and
used oil filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. Call your Lexus dealer or a service station for
information concerning recycling or disposal.

ENGINE
168
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL
LEVEL
Low line
Add oilO.K.Too full
Full line
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off,
check the oil level on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot.
After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick and push it in as far as it will go, or the
reading will not be correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end. If it
is between the full line and the low line, it is O.K
If the oil level is below or only slightly above the low line,
add engine oil of the same types as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine oil a little at a time,
checking the dipstick. The appropriate quantity of oil needed
to fill between the low line and the full line on the dipstick is
indicated below for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct range, return the
filler cap and turn the cap clockwise until you hear a click.
Oil quantity. L (qt., Imp. qt.) 1.1 (1.2, 1.0)
NOTICE:
Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick once again after
adding the oil.

ENGINE
169
Engine oil selection
Use API grade SG, Energy-Conserving II multigrade engine
oil. Recommended viscosity is as follows.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
CHECKING THE ENGINE
COOLANT LEVEL
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
Look at the see-through coolant reservoir tank. The
coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the tank. If the level is low, add
ethylene-glycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir tank will vary with engine
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant to bring the level up to the “FULL” line.
Use only ethylene-glycol type coolant. For information on
ethylene-glycol coolant, see also “Coolant type selection” on
page 170.
If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing,
there may be a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator,
hoses, radiator cap, drain cocks, and water pump.

ENGINE
170If no leak can be found, have the cap pressure tested at your
Lexus dealer.
CAUTION:
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene-glycol antifreeze. In
addition to preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the
engine, this will also prevent corrosion. Further supplemental
inhibitors or additives are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the antifreeze container for information on freeze
protection. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much
to mix with water. The total capacity of the cooling system is
given on page 163. We recommend 50% solution be used for
your Lexus, or a sufficient quantity to provide protection to
about − 35
C (− 31
F).
NOTICE:
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
CHECKING AND REPLACING
THE AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
To inspect the element, follow the procedure below.
Cover
Clips
1. Release 4 clips.
Element