Sludge revisited

Scott in Florida · 2006-07-22T17:08:07+00:00

I've challenged ANYONE to provide proof that the Toyota sludge problemwas anything but owner neglect. NO ONE has EVER provided proof that aproperly maintained Toyota has developed sludge....Just to refresh my memory I corresponded with someone I trustcompletely in this manner. He asked that I not identify him and Iwon't.I clipped some B/S that 'Mike Hunt' posted and asked my friend tocomment on 'mikes' statements.Below is the email I received ....-----------------------------------------------OK Scott, here goes.Mike Hunt's commentMy friends answerNo TSB's regarding any head change. I have not been advise of any changes. But I do know the valve cover is different, as the PCV valve screws in instead of popping into a rubber grommet. In August of 03, there was 2 engine available, ie the 3.3 or 5MZFE, and the 3.0 or the1MZFE.No switch to synthetics until 2007 model years, then they went and changed the viscosity also, ie now its 0W20 and its ONLY synthetics,but this just happened with the introduction of the 07 models. All oil change intervals have been set at 5000 miles, regardless of type ofservice(Mike Hunt's comment)My friend's responseNever any recall on the 1MZFE Camry, they did extend the warranty to 8yrs or 100,000 miles. That's it. Many of those are expired now. Theydid this from 97-01 models. There was never a problem with the head. Ithink they increased ventilation. But to date, I have yet, to ever see one that had 5K intervals. All sludged engines had a big void int he intervals. We really don't see any of these anymore. We did a few at first, then it was slow and spotty. Now hardly anything comes through.

Jul 22, 2006 65 Replies

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Mike Hunter 19 years ago

So you have another Toyota guys opinion, so what? What I presented is verifiable fact, published in numerous industry trade magazines like 'Automotive News' and 'Metal Working,' at the time. The TSBs referred to gelling,suggesting owners switch to synthetic. The new head was installed on new engines built after August of 2003, not on older owners cars. One reason you do not SEE gelled engines is dealers hae been cleaning them as you friend said.

I'm not going to continue to debate a subject with Toyota fans, no manufacture warrants for neglect, period. The fact are available to anybody willing to do a search. The warrant extension was eight years unlimited mileage by the way.

mike

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ToMh 19 years ago

Herb, this hole sludge thing has been beaten to death. A lot of claims but nobody ever has any proof. So far not one person crying foul has been able to prove their oil changes. The burden of proof if to those who are making the sludge claims. Since I own one of these engines (2000 Sienna) I have followed this extensivly. I certainly do not want to a sludged engine. As far as I've been able to determine is that these engines do not like going over their recommended oil intervals. That's why I change every 3K, because I know that in reality I'm going to forgot once in a while and I can still go 1-2 K over with no worries. BTW I have 90K with no Sludge.

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Scott in Florida 19 years ago

As much as I spar with you, I do agree with you on this one.

Sludge is caused by not changing your oil...

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Herb Ludwig 19 years ago

"Scott in Florida" wrote

I love this: ToMh says " this hole sludge thing has been beaten to death. A lot of claims, but nobody ever has any proof." and our brainiard Scott in Florida - who started "Sludge Revisited" and claims owners negligence is always the cause - suddenly agrees.

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Scott in Florida 19 years ago

What's not to agree with that statement...?

No proof of oil changes has accompanied a claim of sludge.

Well....no REAL proof.

Charlene had a Yahoo site with all her 'proof', but when I asked for real proof she kicked me off.

Seems there is not any proof.

What about all this don't you understand, genius?

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ToMh 19 years ago

"hole"? Well you know what I meant.

Herb, I think you misunderstood me. When I said there was no proof, I meant no proof by the owners of the sludged up vehicals. Please note that Toyota ended up fixing these vehicals even with no proof of oil changes. All automobile manufactures require proof of oil changes for oil related waranty claims. My point was not to absolve Toyota of any responsibilty, but just to explain that, by all evidence, if you followed the mainainence guidelines you wouldn't have had a problem. If someone can prove otherwise I'll certainly listen.

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