I recently read an article about "sludge problems"
in the TOYOTA engines....

I'm puzzled.

I thought that modern detergent oils
had eliminated sludge problems.

???
<rj>

"<RJ>" <baranick (AT) localnet (DOT) com> wrote

There are several stories associated with this phenomenon:
(1) Toyota professes that the sludging damage was largely a result of
people's not servicing
their cars with oil and filter change as often as required. IIRC, the
recommended change
interval on some of these cars was 7500 miles. Now, the dealership
tells me that this
change interval is too long and shorter change intervals are
recommended.

(2) Some owners doubt the Toyota version of the story, and there is some
support for this
position as well. Some on this newsgroup have suggested that engine
design and operating
parameters are a prime mover. Particularly, some have suggested small
oil passages and
insufficient PVC functions may be elements.

(3) Some oils may be improved for sludge. I have never heard the quality of
oil debated as a
cause of this problem. Items (1) and (2) seem to be the prime
suspects.

I dont think the blame has clearly landed in anyone's court, although there
was a suit against
Toyota and they chose to "do the right thing"

Apparently not is some Toyotas engines.

mike

"<RJ>" <baranick (AT) localnet (DOT) com> wrote

That was indeed Toyotas first answer to the problem, that they refer to as
'Gelling.'
Subsequently, when the 'Gelling' began to appear in engines properly
serviced at dealerships, they acknowledged they had a problem in their V6
engines built between 1998 and 2002. Apparently they had changed the head
design to enhance emissions. From what I understand they basically changed
back to using the previous head on engines built after August of 2003 and
began recommending the use of synthetic oil. In addition Toyota instituted
an extended warrant of eight years, unlimited mileage on engines that
"exhibited signs of Gelling." The warranty authorizes its deanships to
"clean, repair or replace, as necessary, any engine that exhibits signs of
Gelling."

As an aside there were several other manufactures that were having sludge
problems

mike


<HLS (AT) nospam (DOT) nix> wrote

On Mar 24, 2:02 pm, "Mike Hunter" <mikehu... (AT) mailcity (DOT) com> wrote:
From: mred
To: ed machel
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 7:48 AM


Engines in question
Makes
Engine
Models and years
U.S. engine population* New-engine warranty
Audi/Volkswagen
1.8L 4 turbo 1997-2004 Audi A4,
Volkswagen Passat
447,000 8 years/unlimited mileage
Chrysler/Dodge
2.7L V-6 1998-2002 Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge
Intrepid, Dodge Stratus
797,000 None. Chrysler will handle on a case-by-case basis
Lexus/Toyota
3.0L V-6 1997-2001 Lexus ES300,
Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Sienna;
1999-2001 Lexus RX300,
Toyota Camry Solara;
2001 Toyota Highlander
1,577,000 8 years/unlimited mileage
2.2L 4 1997-2001 Toyota Camry,
1996-99 Toyota Celica,
1999-2001 Toyota Camry Solara
1,757,000 8 years/unlimited mileage
Saab
2.0L 4 turbo 2000-02 9-3 hatchback,
2000-03 9-3 convertible
82,000 8 years/unlimited mileage
2.3L 4 turbo 1999-2003 Saab 9-5,
1999 9-3 Viggen
68,000 8 years/unlimited mileage
* Source: Analysis from Ward's Auto Info Bank (approximate).