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2000 Lexus Rx 300 - sludge ..

My wife recently purchased a 2000 Lexus Rx 300. The auto had at approximately 56K miles. Today the mileage is roughly 57K. At the time of purchase we observed the Malfunction Indicator lamp was lit. We were told by the 'infiniti' dealer that the auto was just serviced and the lamp needs to be reset ( likely story ). Long story short, I bought extended warranty etc and from the looks of things the wife appeared happy. The next step for us was to take the auto to the dealership but to date we haven't gotten around to doing so. The auto

- in my view appears sluggish. I decided to take a more intense look at the motor. Opened the oil cap only to observe what looked like 'sludge'. Sure enough when I inserted my fingers and began scraping .. it was sludge. I opted to pull the valve cover but since I'm unsure where to find a decent 'mechanic guide/book' for this automobile I chose not to do so. I scanned the internet only to observe that this is an issue for folks - I suspect who choose not to change their oil at the recommended intervals. From the looks of the receipts etc we found in the auto, we believe the previous owner did a 'reasonable' job maintaining the auto. The sludge though is a concern for me and the obvious solution it seems is to take auto to the dealer? I suspect once the sludge has been removed, all's well provided we do a reasonable job changing the oil.

Short of that can I reset this malfunction indicator myself? If so how?

Reply to
forums_mp
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forums snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com quipped:

If the engine has suffered sludging, it's probably totaled. Toyota has been good about honoring a replacement engine if proof can be provided that the engines oil has been changed at their scheduled intervals. This, obviously, can be difficult on a used car unless the Lexus dealer can find that vin in their maintenance database and it's oil changes were done by Lexus dealers...which, quite honestly, is probably unlikely.

I do not know if your extended warranty will cover oil sludged engines. Read the fine print and find out. I've read where some people have been successful in clearing minor sludge but if it's severe, forget it, the engine is toast.

Reply to
amstaffs

Disconnect the negative battery terminal for about 20-30 minutes then reattach and start the car. This should clear the code assuming that there is nothing throwing it (like the dealer says).

As for the sludge, go to a reputable lube shop in your area and have them perform a motor flush. If possible, find a shop that has a Bilstein Machine in their shop, this is a machine that is used specifically for motor and transmission flushes. Make sure you have some time, so that you can watch as they do it. Don't wanna get scammed.

Reply to
NYLexSC

This is scary. It implies that I/we might have purchased a lemon. Are you saying 'any form of sluding no matter how minute?'

You're right .. Oh boy!!

Reply to
forums_mp

Are you sure it is sludge? The baffles used in the cam covers are sheet metal. The baffels are used to separate the oil from the hot gases that are being vented from the engine. Toyota coats the baffles in a rubbery like coating that is black; sometimes it looks like sludge.

I would run an Auto-RX treatment

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if you areunsure.

As for resetting the CEL, pull the negative battery cable for about 30 seconds.

Reply to
Curtis Newton

This wasn't rubber. I'm 'reasonably confident' ( though not a 100% ) it's sludge. I wanted to yank the valve cover off but I'd like to walk through a book on this first. Do you know of a decent (something akin to the 'bentley manuals' for BMW's) manual for these cars?

Reply to
forums_mp

Go to techinfo.toyota.com for access to factory service manuals. I believe access is $10/day.

Reply to
Ray O

forums snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com quipped:

here's a note on Toyota/Lexus oil sludging:

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here's an extreme case of oil sludging:

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and finally a article from the Wall Street Journal concerning Toyota/Lexus oil sludging:

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'74

Reply to
amstaffs

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