What's with the oil sludge in the engine compartment?

Do Toyotas have more problems with the oil sludge in the engine compartment that other makes like Hondas and Nissans. Is it a problem in the engine design where coolant leak into the engine compartment or something else?

What is a good proceedure, other than looking at the dipstick, to check for sludge before it destroy the engine? I've been using Mobil 1 synthetc on the

2000 V6 Camry, and change oil every 7K miles - so far so good.
Reply to
** Frank **
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The efficiency of an engine is a function of the operating temperature minus the ambient temperature. The higher the difference, the more efficient the engine. So Toyota wanted to push the operating temp higher, hence it narrowed the coolant and oil passages to restrict flow. Unfortunately, if you leave the oil in too long (extended drain intervals) it cooks and forms sludge. The passages were narrowed in the

97-01 models and expanded again in 02+.

With this oil and service schedule, you will not have a problem.

If you want to make sure, take the valve covers off and have a look inside. It will take you about 1/2 hour to do both heads.

Reply to
Nobody Important

If its 7000 highway you might be ok, but at 4000 I know my mobil one is shot as power suffers, if the oil is real dirty its no good, going by color is the best way to know when to change it. My mom drove to the store and back , a mile or two, her oil was crap after 2000m last winter, the same car Im driving now and at 4000 with long trips the oil is cleaner then it was at 2 last winter, So its how you drive that makes a determining difference

Reply to
ransley

It has nothing to do with any leaks in the engine. You will have no sludge problem if you use Mobil 1 full synthetic and change it every 7000 miles.

Reply to
Mark A

I don't think 7000 miles on highway is considered OK by Toyota. That's why they reduced the interval in 2004 down to 5000 miles because of sludge concerns. If Toyota says don't go above 5000, then you shouldn't (it voids warranty for one). If you use the old 7500 interval and the engine sludges up, then your're on your own (toyota covered its rear already in 2004).

So why can the same oil lasting *up to* 12,000 miles in a GM or Honda, but only 5,000 miles in a Toyota?

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Peter Lord, executive director of GM's service operations, said oil can last 12,000 miles, about 19,200 kilometres, or even more for many drivers who don't run their vehicles in extreme heat or cold or tow heavy loads.

"Toyota Motor Corp. reduced its change interval from 7,500 miles to

5,000 in 2004 in part because it found that more drivers ran their vehicles under severe stop-and-start and short trip conditions that cause oil to deteriorate more quickly, said company spokesman Bill Kwong."

Reply to
johngdole

I'm not aware of a sludge issue with Nissan or Honda engines. VW's

1.8turbo had the same problem, but with a turbo you kinda understand. So VW spec'ed certain synthetics (not all make the grade) and a larger filter from what I heard. Google the VW oil spec 502.00.

Toyota designs seem more likely to sludge up, some said since 1997 when they up the heat on the cylinder head to meet the then Low Emissions Vehicle rating. Some people say using synthetics should solve the problem. Toyota spokesman said they reduced the oil change interval from 7500 down to 5000 miles. That should help too.

When checking sludge from neglect, you drop the oil pan and inspect the oil pickup tube and pan for sludge. To check for high-temperature- cooking-the-oil-kind of Toyota sludge, you open up the valve cover and make sure the passages aren't sludge up and preventing the oil from draining back to the pan, causing oil starvation.

Reply to
johngdole

Ok , first oil does not deteriorate OR WEAR OUT. EVER~!!!!!!! What happens is the additives become diluted and THEY wear out or get used up, fighting water and acid contamination caused by the combustion process .

Since I drive in "severe service mode" ( mostly short trip city driving ) I change my oil at 5000 miles in my Camry -4-2002.

I use yellow cap Mobil 1 5W30 for this reason and also because it makes for easier starts in the cold climate here in Ontario

Mobil 1 yellow cap is GAURANTEED BY MOBIL TO BE GOOD FOR 15,000 MILES.

So if I change every 5000 miles I am well within the parameters of the oil change intervals.

Reply to
mred

Short trips are not actually severve service (at least for most manufacturers). Most require more frequent oil change intervals if your driving pattern involves extensive idling or low speed driving as in taxi or delivery service, not ordingary short trip driving. In the old days I think Toyota mandated 5000 mile oil changes for short trip driving in cold climates, but I doubt if more than a fraction of Toyota owners fell into the category.

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

Millions of drivers in Canada and the northern U.S. fall into that category, not to mention northern Europe including Russia.

Reply to
sharx35

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