Sludge problem

Tiny
SLUDGE
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  • TOYOTA CAMRY
I have a 2003 camry solara SLE v6 with 62000 miles. Im told I have a sludge problem. The dealership is telling me this will cost $3000 to fix! What are my options?
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 AT 11:12 AM

25 Replies

Tiny
FISHERMAN
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What Kind of Sludge?
Oil Sludge?
Metal sludge?
It its running fine?
Its the "check Engine" light on?
What are the symptoms?
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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What Kind of Sludge?
Oil Sludge?
Metal sludge?
It its running fine?
Its the "check Engine" light on?
What are the symptoms?[/Quote:d66835f545]

OH! Sorry. Its oil sludge, it runs great and the check engine light is not on nor has ever came on. Went for an oil change and this was discovered. The only symptom I've noticed is a puff of white smoke when first started in the morning. They had me come look and there is definitley oil sludge in there.
Thanks
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
FISHERMAN
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What Kind of Sludge?
Oil Sludge?
Metal sludge?
It its running fine?
Its the "check Engine" light on?
What are the symptoms?[/Quote:cf58d16812]

OH! Sorry. Its oil sludge, it runs great and the check engine light is not on nor has ever came on. Went for an oil change and this was discovered. The only symptom I've noticed is a puff of white smoke when first started in the morning. They had me come look and there is definitley oil sludge in there.
Thanks[/quote:cf58d16812]

Well the oil sludge its caused for an engine malfunction, poor maintenance, to much "stress" (freeway stop and go) contaminants on your engine.
A good flush and change to a synthetic oil could help to minimize the sludge without doing something major to the engine.

But 2003?
Its fairly new!
Did your warranty expire?
Did you have a good maintenance record?
If so talk to an a customer service rep at toyota. There should be something they can do to fix your problem. 3000 thats way to much money!

Good luck!
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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What Kind of Sludge?
Oil Sludge?
Metal sludge?
It its running fine?
Its the "check Engine" light on?
What are the symptoms?[/Quote:7e3a1964eb]

OH! Sorry. Its oil sludge, it runs great and the check engine light is not on nor has ever came on. Went for an oil change and this was discovered. The only symptom I've noticed is a puff of white smoke when first started in the morning. They had me come look and there is definitley oil sludge in there.
Thanks[/quote:7e3a1964eb]

Well the oil sludge its caused for an engine malfunction, poor maintenance, to much "stress" (freeway stop and go) contaminants on your engine.
A good flush and change to a synthetic oil could help to minimize the sludge without doing something major to the engine.

But 2003?
Its fairly new!
Did your warranty expire?
Did you have a good maintenance record?
If so talk to an a customer service rep at toyota. There should be something they can do to fix your problem. 3000 thats way to much money!

Good luck![/Quote:7e3a1964eb]

Yes 2003 and still looks new. Yes warranty is expired. No didnt keep records, Wife just took it wherever when oil needed changed. Toyota service manager is telling me I have 2 options A) replace engine at $7500 or B) do a "spa"? Where they bascically take engine apart run it through a "vatt"? And replace valve stem covers for the low, low price of $3000. Would I be better off taking it somewhere else? I dont have that kind of money! Thanks for what you have given me for far.
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
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Dealers... dealers... its pretty common for them to talk Thousands like we do on hundreds....

Do an Engine "flush" With a good quality product
and then change the oil with a full synthetic...

and replace the oil more often...
after a couple of changes check if the oil still coming out with sludge....

Check this out: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/01/toyota_sludge_settlement.html

Good Luck!
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+1
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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Thanks so much for the advise Fisherman! If this works you saved me a butt load and I will be back to donate some of it. Thanks for the article I have found out it supposedly covered v6 solara's until Aug 2002. Mine was built in october! So I dont know what my options would be. 2 last questions, first can you reccomend a good engine flush? I am also told magic mystery oil works well but not sure its a flush. And second you mentioned after a couple of oil changes check to see if sludge was still there. What if it is? Start the process over and do it again? Again THANK YOU!
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
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Thanks so much for the advise Fisherman! If this works you saved me a butt load and I will be back to donate some of it. Thanks for the article I have found out it supposedly covered v6 solara's until Aug 2002. Mine was built in october! So I dont know what my options would be. 2 last questions, first can you reccomend a good engine flush? I am also told magic mystery oil works well but not sure its a flush. And second you mentioned after a couple of oil changes check to see if sludge was still there. What if it is? Start the process over and do it again? Again THANK YOU![/Quote:4c7d067356]

also doing a flush might clogg up the oil screen, in turn motor will lock up, but its still worth a try, putting a quart of trans fluid in it let it run a little(1/2 hr) do not drive it, change oil, do this a few times, sorry to say the dealer sees this more often than aftermarket places, and parts may cost a little more but get longer life outa them
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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The 1st indication of a clogged up screen is engine Tap and Knock-you don't have this. Because if its clogged you won't have the correct oil pressure and oil will not get all the way up there then its start making wierd noises. The gamble you have to take -is do an engine flush and take your course from there.

My way of clearing sludge is I stick my homemade tube down the dipstick tube and suck it all out-then do the engine flush with diesel or kerosene. Half of the time tranny fluid don't work-I recommend the new high tech. Stuff from NAPA. Ask and pay for it.

And then don't forget to change it every 2500miles both the oil/filter.

3K is too muchy! Give me some lol.
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
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[quote="Buzzsaw sorry to say the dealer sees this more often than aftermarket places, and parts may cost a little more but get longer life outa them[/quote]

Dealer sees more. Duhh. Longer life? "May" get longer life. MAy not not get straight answers either.
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 9:30 PM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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Thanks so much for the advise Fisherman! If this works you saved me a butt load and I will be back to donate some of it. Thanks for the article I have found out it supposedly covered v6 solara's until Aug 2002. Mine was built in october! So I dont know what my options would be. 2 last questions, first can you reccomend a good engine flush? I am also told magic mystery oil works well but not sure its a flush. And second you mentioned after a couple of oil changes check to see if sludge was still there. What if it is? Start the process over and do it again? Again THANK YOU![/Quote:08ba7a1388]

also doing a flush might clogg up the oil screen, in turn motor will lock up, but its still worth a try, putting a quart of trans fluid in it let it run a little(1/2 hr) do not drive it, change oil, do this a few times, sorry to say the dealer sees this more often than aftermarket places, and parts may cost a little more but get longer life outa them[/quote:08ba7a1388]

NEW TWIST. If you read this entire thread something doesnt feel right. When I told them I could'nt afford what they were offering. They said I was an honest customer & they wanted to help me. NOW dealer is willing to replace with NEW engine (Everything under the hood except for heads, so I'm told) PLUS turn rotors and all new brake pads for $3000. My question is this. WHY?
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 10:02 PM
Tiny
FISHERMAN
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Why?

An Honest customer with 3000 its flying away off the shooters.

That`s the way they make money.

Something I learn here its to help everybody to be aware of deshonest people.

Thanks Rasmataz
Thanks Service Writer
And thank you for the post.
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 AT 10:19 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Did they offer you this deal?

NEW TWIST. If you read this entire thread something doesnt feel right. When I told them I could'nt afford what they were offering. They said I was an honest customer & they wanted to help me. NOW dealer is willing to replace with NEW engine (Everything under the hood except for heads, so I'm told) PLUS turn rotors and all new brake pads for $3000. My question is this. WHY?

Come on back and I'll explain the reason Why.
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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 3:53 AM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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Absolutely! They listed too many things to list but basically everything under the hood would be new
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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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Fisherman
So I stick with the plan of the engine flush right? And tell the dealership I dont need a new engine? It just blows me away that they are doing this.
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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
FISHERMAN
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Yes. That`s why I Ask Rasmataz and Service Writer to Check your post, to be sure that we are heading in the right direction, I think that doing an engine flush with a good product (Rasmataz said that Napa has a good stuff there High tech) just ask them and follow the directions its simple but critical on the duration off the product on your engine (I think that your engine its not that bad) just a few minutes and change the oil to a fully synthetic and do the oil change every 2500 miles (oil and filter)

I think that should solve the problem!
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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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Absolutely! They listed too many things to list but basically everything under the hood would be new[/quote:09bad7c323]

Ras
I would love to hear why they tried to bend me over!

Your lucky you're still here, they don't have to try, they can do that in a heart beat. You have questioned our integrity as moderators, if I were you evaluate the posts before you put your 2cts in and identify who's answering it. I as a moderator I oversee you-you're suppose to seek help from me and the others.

Also if you need more explanation is to why go ask Ken/SW/Fisherman you've pull the same thing on them. You were doing good in the begining dunno what happened, put this behind you and move on
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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 11:12 PM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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Absolutely! They listed too many things to list but basically everything under the hood would be new[/quote:420d759c42]

Ras
I would love to hear why they tried to bend me over!

Your lucky you're still here, they don't have to try, they can do that in a heart beat. You have questioned our integrity as moderators, if I were you evaluate the posts before you put your 2cts in and identify who's answering it. I as a moderator I oversee you-you're suppose to seek help from me and the others.

Also if you need more explanation is to why go ask Ken/SW/Fisherman you've pull the same thing on them. You were doing good in the begining dunno what happened, put this behind you and move on[/quote:420d759c42]

This is sludge. Was this last post meant for me?
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Saturday, September 29th, 2007 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
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Sludge,
I'm sure that has nothing to do with you, not even sure how it got there.

Personally, I haven't been a proponent of engine flushing, but do like Raz's version.
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Saturday, September 29th, 2007 AT 12:38 PM
Tiny
SLUDGE
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Thanks Service writer but just in case I thought I would put my "two cents" in.

I'm sorry I think maybe I'm confused. Have I done something wrong?
I asked why the dealership was trying to screw me and Rasmataz said come back and he would explain it. I wanted to learn from his experience and was

looking for his response, is that not ok? The ONLY people I have questioned since this started was the DEALERSHIP! Everybody here has been very helpful

through this difficult ordeal for me mostly Fisherman. Without him I was about to make a very bad desicion. Im a newbie here so maybe I didnt know how to

post correctly But I certainly was'nt questioning ANYONE'S integrity. My apologies if I offended anyone WAS NOT MY INTENT. Again thanks for those who

helped me especially you Fisherman.
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Saturday, September 29th, 2007 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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TO: Sludge

Everthing that transpired here in this thread has nothing to do with you-you had me confused with Buzzsaw. Buzzsaw was against your ideas-we were trying to give you the hint not to take his advises.

Me and Servicewriter were called upon to assist in your problem. However it turn out to be disaster. We were questioned on our professionalism while assisting you that's what caused this mess.

I've given you a good advise but you were hesistant- I hope you do take it and everything will turn out okay.

Good Luck
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Saturday, September 29th, 2007 AT 3:15 PM

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