Others beside Toyota have a sludge problem

According to an article in "Automotive News" Saab is "Joining the ranks of auto makers extending the warranty on engines prone to sludge buildup and possible engine failures. Engines involved are 4 cy, 2.3L used from 1998 to 2003. SAAB, like the other two manufactures with a known sludge problem, have revise the design of the engine. Volkswagen changed the design of its 1.8L engine in 2004 and Toyota went to a head design similar to the one used prior to 1997 on its 3.0L V6 engine. VW extended the warranty on the 1.8L used from 1997 until early 2004. Toyota extended the warranty on 2.2L 4cy and 3.0L V6 that were prone to what it calls gelling. Clarance Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety says Chrysler is the only holdout among manufactures, that have known defective engines, not to extend the warranty."

"Chrysler Group maintains sludge will not occur if the oil is changed properly. Ditlow says Chrysler position, on sludge buildup, is the same as that taken initially by Toyota and VW until sledge began turning up in engines serviced properly and at their dealerships. The Consumer Group has received hundreds of complaint from Chrysler owners of 2.7L V6s, used in Dodge and Chrysler vehicles built between 1998 to 2002."

"Ditlow suggest owners of vehicles that were properly serviced, particularly those serviced at Dodge and Chryslers dealerships, send their complaints along with copies of their receipt to the Center. The sooner we can show Chrysler that the problem is related to engine design not poor maintenance, the sooner we can get Chrysler to extend the warranty and develop a fix as has VW, Toyota and now SAAB"

Wanna bet the loyalist in the NG will still believe it is owner neglect? ;)

mike hunt

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MajorDomo
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