Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-83
I have leased 200 Avalon for last 3 years. Recently began burning oil at 45,000 miles. Love the car, but am concerned. Am considering purchase of 2003 Avalon XLS. Has Toyota addressed the sludge problem?
Regarding a new engine in 2003, keep in mind that Toyota never has admitted that this is an engine design problem. I don't know how anyone can know if the problem is fixed when there is not any certainty about what the problem is exactly. They did claim to change the PCV system and valve cover mid-production on the 2002's, but they said that these changes would not prevent sludge and would just prolong the occurrence.
The comment about the new PCV valve and how to clean the engine was very interesting.
I have a 98 camry with 203,000 miles. My engine check light came on and I replaced the EGR valve
as my Toyota dealership said that should help and did. When I removed the old sensor it had a layer of baked
on film that peeled off readily, also there appeared to be a buildup inside the old part. The oil has been
changed regularly at Super Lube using 10-40 Havoline, But I suspect there is still a problem as the engine
will not idle properly on a hot startup at times when stopping to refuel and then restart the engine, It will idle at
about 300 rpm until driven for a short distance or shutting the engine of completely and restarting it. Then it
will run normally... As a item of interest to other readers go to www.yotarepair.com. scroll down and click
on Sludge Zone.
My comment is: Has anyone, because of their sludged engine had their engine replaced with another Toyota engine and then that engine also sludged? Or, are the odds of getting another Toyota engine, same year, make and model very, very slim?
Guys, I have Toyota Avalon 1998 with 122,000 on it!!! The only problem I had was AC not being cold enough. Good luck to you all!
Regarding the sludge repairs. It is my understanding that Toyota just rebuilds the existing engine unless damage is so severe that a new one is needed. I don't know if they use used rebuilt engines or brand new ones. I would be worried with a repair of the existing engine or a used rebuilt engine. If you have the same engine or a sludge-prone engine, there is nothing to prevent you from getting sludge again. I Have seen internet accounts of a vehicle being stricken with sludge more than once. If it is the same engine, expect the same problem.
I just bought a used 1997 camry with 48,000 miles. it also has the "oil sludge, massive oil consumption problem". dealer claims poor maintenance. toyota is sending me a packaging to make a claim. but my worst fear is that the repair (if approved) will only prolong the subsequent engine failure. the value of toyota cars has fallen dramatically. I asked toyota to reimburse my $8,000 which I paid for the car, and not suprisingly, they do not want the car back. I would like to join a class act lawsuit if one is started. steve.
I own a 1998 Avalon which recently started emitting white smoke upon cold startup as well as after a few hours parked. The Toyota Dealer told me it was sludge in the engine, but never checked the oil pan or valves; however they offered to clean the oil pan for $150. This is my second Avalon, never had a problem until now; no overheating, no oil light indicator, nothing until 86,000 miles. Have performed maintenance according to instruction booklet. Can't believe all of these sludge complaints at this website. I assure you I am for real in Orlando not the same woman complaining over and over again. Twice I have taken the car to Toyota and twice they have assured me nothing is wrong with my car. Change the oil every 1000 miles and the sludge will clear up. So I will try it.
To the owner of the '98 Avalon with sludge, I am wondering why Toyota charged you for repair (if you can call it that) of your sludge problem? You should have been covered under the 8 year unlimited mile sludge policy which calls for free repair by Toyota as well as covering for incidental costs like rental car, etc. Some Toyota spokesperson said in one of the articles last year that they see the sludge happening where summers are most hot and humid or winters most cold. I noticed that you are from Florida.
I just recently bought a 1998 Toyota Avalon XL and from what I hear, I'm getting a little worried. The previous entry said in really cold weather, the engine will create sludge. I live in Buffalo NY and believe me, it gets REALLY cold up here. I was wondering what I can do besides oil changes to prevent the sludge from ruining my engine. I really like this car and don't want it to end up like others who have complained. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sludge has everything to do with oil change frequency. Engine oil and filter should be changed no less often than 4000 miles (3750 according to most mechanics) and every 4 months. Sure, your owners manual may say otherwise, but none of the owners complaining about sludge ever bothered
to ask their dealer service rep? Maybe they never asked their dealer service adviser because they did all of their oil changes at Jiffy Lube or some place like it, where the filter may not have been changed every time. I suspect over 80% of sludge victims frequented Jiffy Lube to often, did not change the filter often enough, or did not do their oil changes on time. Funny how people will not inquire more about how to take care of a $30000 investment to begin with, but rant and rave and seek arbitration when asked to buy a $5000 engine or related repair. Just had our 5th case of sludge in this week, on a 1997 Camry V6 with over 150000 miles. The owner could only come up with 4 service records ever, yet our regional Toyota rep approved short block replacement, as he has with the 4 previous ones that have come through the shop. I don't know what kind of dealers most of you owners are taking your sludged up vehicles to, but show them the letter and remind them of the letter that every owner will receive that states coverage will be for 8 years/unlimited miles. Shame on Toyota for covering repairs when customers neglect maintenance, and shame on owners for blaming Toyota for their sludge. In our experience, sludge is only the byproduct of ignorance. Please maintain your vehicles properly, and ask any dealer that is trustworthy how to do so. I guarantee you your car will not disappoint you if you do so.
If owners must change oil every 3000 to 4000 miles to prevent sludge they should be told BEFORE they buy the vehicle. This should be spelled out in the owner's manual. It is against the law to change the maintenance requirements on a vehicle after it is sold unless the dealer agrees to pay the additional maintenance cost. It may or may not solve the problem, but it does not hide the fact that either the manual or the engines are defective. Also, who believes what the service guy says, anyway? These guys are out for the buck. The more you come in for servicing, the more EXTRAs they can try to squeeze out of you. The manual is supposed to be the correct resource for servicing your engine as it is the servicing prescribed by the engineers who designed the engine!
I am a owner of a 1998 Avalon. I purchased this car in February 2002, it just hit the 50,000 mile mark. I have no complaints. The only service I needed to my car was brakes, and a oil change. This is a wonderful and reliable car. If anyone looking into buying an Avalon, this is an excellent choice! good luck!
Just bought a 1999 Avalon XLS with only 13000 miles on it.
It run good now. Let you know later how it turns out.. To all the comments about how oil sludge is normal if the oil is not changed every 3000 miles..
THIS IS HOGWASH as an old racing motor head from the south
not changing the oil properly should cause engine wear from poor lubrication.. THAT'S IT.. not sludging and thrown rods.
But in keeping with the Lexis guy who physically cleaned his out. An old trick is to put a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the oil and run it a day or so before you change the oil..
That will clean it down to being able to read the serial numbers on the parts again. But I have trouble believing this is necessary in a new car and if it is it's a serious design flaw NOT a maintenance problem. I put 240,000 miles on a Honda civic before it got to the white smoke stage and I changed the oil every 15,000 miles at best.And even then
the problem was worn rings not sludge.
There are quite a few reports of the sludge happening if you don't follow oil changes as in manual. Read reviews for various Toyota makes and models at the www.msn.autos site. You can search in upper left corner of web page. The American Engine Rebuilders Assoc. says once you get sludge and get it cleaned from teh engine you should then change your oil every 1000 miles.