Does this Lexus have the Toyota "sludge monster" V6 engine?

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

kreativ

Joined
Oct 4, 2002
Messages
148
Location
CA
2002 Lexus ES300, made in Japan with an October 2001 manufacture date (for the car itself...don't know if the engine has a different build date)

Does this Lexus have the "sludge monster" Toyota V6 engine? Or did Toyota already modify the engine by then?
 
I have a 2001 Lexus ES300 with the alleged "sludge monster" motor and from what I gather, the motors that Toyota issued the notice about were the 4 & 6 cyl. built 6-96 - 7-01. My personal theory is this is an owner maintenance problem, not an engineering mistake. I've been running M1 since I drained out the factory fill at 1000 miles. Am I worried about sludge? Nope.
 
From what I remember the updates didn't start until April 02.

Just do sensible OCI's and check/change the PCV when needed.
 
It's only a problem if you get a bit forgetful on oil changes. If the owner's manual says 7500 miles between changes, do yourself a favor and go to 4-5k.

My 97 (which is definitely in the supposed category) has 165K of pure dino and not a bit of sludge.
 
As far as I am aware it was only 96-01 and it only applied to cars, mini-vans and small car based suv's. It only affected 1% of vechiles. It never affected the trucks at all.

THe truck block and heads while simalar are different. It would be like compareing the RWD Buick 3.8 like that used in the Grand National to the current Series II Buick 3.8 used in fwd cars. While they are simalar and they are different enough not to be considered the same.

To the best of my knoldge no one doing 3000 mile oil changes with dino or 5000 mile oil changes with synthetic have had a problem. Not that their might not have been some design issues!!! It would appear that conservative OCI and useing a better product then recomened in the owners manual prevented a lot of problems. Their are quite a few members that have these vechile and engine combinations with no problems at all.

Toyota has done a good job warranteeing these engnies!Those engines made prior to this period or after this period did not have the gelling issues at all!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Evil Ron:
I have a 2001 Lexus ES300 with the alleged "sludge monster" motor and from what I gather, the motors that Toyota issued the notice about were the 4 & 6 cyl. built 6-96 - 7-01. My personal theory is this is an owner maintenance problem, not an engineering mistake. I've been running M1 since I drained out the factory fill at 1000 miles. Am I worried about sludge? Nope.
Click to expand...
Then, why are only 1 or 2 Toyota motors having this complaint, along with, maybe 1 or 2 other motors from other manufacturers. Most of the people with complaints swear they have changed their oil per the manual. Some even have been regularly serviced at the Toyota dealer. And, Toyota has acknowledged the problem and are now taking care of it if the oil has been changed at least once a year.
 
quote:
Originally posted by 97tbird:
How about the PRE-2000(or 1999) Lexus SC300?
is that also a sl/monster??
Click to expand...
is that the inline 6? If so, no it is not an issue.

can we retire "monster"?
 
quote:
Originally posted by kenw:

quote:
Originally posted by 97tbird:
How about the PRE-2000(or 1999) Lexus SC300?
is that also a sl/monster??
Click to expand...
is that the inline 6? If so, no it is not an issue.

can we retire "monster"?
Click to expand...
I don't think it's an inline-6
The description is normally : 3.0 V6

how abaout sludge-maker?
smile.gif
 
Kenw,

Thanks. I stand corrected. I must have confused some other Lexus model.
I find both Sc 300/400 such nice cars. It's a shame they don't have the bodystyle anymore.
The interior is one of the best ones I've ever seen.

Good thing it doesn't have the s/maker.
smile.gif
 
Most of the people with complaints swear they have changed their oil per the manual. Some even have been regularly serviced at the Toyota dealer.


A friend of mine is a Master Toyota Tech. He says he hasn't seen a single case of a sludged engine and documented oil changes. For those that have come in with sludge, none were able to prove less than a 5,000 mile oil change (dino); one lady was 20,000 miles!
 
Around mid-2002, I remember reading an article in which Toyota stated the "issue" affected cars up to model year 2002, but only engines made up to a particular month in 2001. I didn't save it though, so was not sure if a 2002 Lexus with a 10/01 build date would be considered affected.

I did see a 6/96 - 7/01 date range posted earlier. Evil Ron - do you remember where you read this?

I believe Lexus sent out letters about the extended powertrain warranty to all 2002 model year (with the 3.0L V6) owners regardless of whether the build date is within the affected date range.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curtis Newton:
Most of the people with complaints swear they have changed their oil per the manual. Some even have been regularly serviced at the Toyota dealer.


A friend of mine is a Master Toyota Tech. He says he hasn't seen a single case of a sludged engine and documented oil changes. For those that have come in with sludge, none were able to prove less than a 5,000 mile oil change (dino); one lady was 20,000 miles!
Click to expand...
but the recommended interval is 7,500 miles, they shouldn't have to prove less than a 5k interval. This is part of the problem.
 
Here it is directly from Toyota.

The following vehicles have engines covered by the Customer Support Program:

MODEL MODEL YEAR
Avalon 1997-2002

Camry
4 Cylinder
1997-2001
V6 1997-2002

Celica 1997-1999
Highlander
4 Cylinder Not involved
V6 2000-2002

Sienna 1997-2002

Solara
4 Cylinder 1999-2001
V6 1999-2002

Now I don't know about the Lexus, you will have to figure that one out.


Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner,2.7 liter, 4 cylinder, Mobil1 5w30 ODO 13600
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner,3.0 liter,6 cylinder, Mobil1 10w30 ODO 94100
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer
 
I wonder how many of the sludged motors were in leased vehicles? If a person does not own the vehicle, what is their incentive to maintain it properly?

Unfortunately, we will never know the truth about sludge, whether it be in a VW, Lexus, Toyota, or anything else. The reason is two-fold:

1. The drivers/owners-or-leasee(s) of any vehicles that were not maintained properly are not going to be honest, because of their own $$$ concerns.
2. The manufacturers won't give us the truth either, because they don't want to admit they make engines with design flaws.

FWIW, I bought a new '99 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner in June '99. It had a 2.? liter 4-cyl engine. I did 8k mile OCI's for 44k miles, all service done by the Toyota dealer & when I sold it in '01, the inside of the valve cover was clean as a whistle.

[ February 17, 2005, 09:45 PM: Message edited by: wavinwayne ]
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
Best HPL for Oil Burning Toyota 22RE
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
Sienna dude
A
Best Used Commuter Car?
4 5 6
Replies
108
Views
8K
vwmaniaman
scubapr
Toyota / Lexus A25A-FXS Hybrid engine oil questions
3 4 5
Replies
99
Views
18K
scubapr
T
Toyota Honda OEM Mobile 1 Which Oil? Chart. Is it just for engine noise?
Replies
12
Views
3K
yowps3
P
Piston slap after 1,000 miles of brake in oil change
2
Replies
21
Views
4K
SR5
Back
Top Bottom