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I currently drive a 2004 Maxima. I plan to buy a new car this fall as I will have over 60,000 miles on it.
My Maxima has been a good car; however, the 2007 Maxima will come only with a CVT. I don't want a car with a CVT, so I have been looking at other cars, including the 2007 Camry.
I was impressed with my test drive of the 2007 Camry, and I am thinking of buying one. In checking on the internet on the reliability of the Camry, I found lots of angry customers with an oil sludge problem. I just don't accept Toyota's claim that 100% of the problem is with customers not regularly changing their oil. Certain engines appear to have a sludge problem, and Toyota is on that list. Engine design appears to be a major factor in the sludge problem.
Has Toyota changed the design of the V/6 in the 2007 Camry such that the oil sludge problem will be substantially reduced? Since I have used Mobil 1 in all my cars for years, I probably would not have a problem myself, but I don't want to lose resale value because the car has a bad reputation, or is listed on a "Do not buy" list of used cars.
I picked up a used Camy (V6, 1 MZ) and the PCV system was nearing a pluged condition. I replaced the PCV valve, and have been changing the oil every 2000/2500 miles with dino oil and it is coming clean inside - (I have had the valve cover off three times and each time it is cleaner and has less varnish than it had been the time before....
Also this one, a 95 1mz will take a large filter. Go to #19 on this post and take a look.
Off hand, many engines will live a long life if you don't lug them about, rev them freely and change the oil often. Yah, the manf says ???? between changes and the oil may infact still be doing its lubricating job, but often times the moisture, and acid build up coupled with plugged filters are all in place by 5000 miles. pay a little extra and change it every 3000 max. If you sell the car, july pull the filler cap off and show the guy/gal - its all clean and that you maintained it....
Best of luck in your choice....
/ra
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95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
I currently drive a 2004 Maxima. I plan to buy a new car this fall as I will have over 60,000 miles on it.
My Maxima has been a good car; however, the 2007 Maxima will come only with a CVT. I don't want a car with a CVT, so I have been looking at other cars, including the 2007 Camry.
I was impressed with my test drive of the 2007 Camry, and I am thinking of buying one. In checking on the internet on the reliability of the Camry, I found lots of angry customers with an oil sludge problem. I just don't accept Toyota's claim that 100% of the problem is with customers not regularly changing their oil. Certain engines appear to have a sludge problem, and Toyota is on that list. Engine design appears to be a major factor in the sludge problem.
Has Toyota changed the design of the V/6 in the 2007 Camry such that the oil sludge problem will be substantially reduced? Since I have used Mobil 1 in all my cars for years, I probably would not have a problem myself, but I don't want to lose resale value because the car has a bad reputation, or is listed on a "Do not buy" list of used cars.
they have more than sludge problems i work with 2 friends that drive toyota highlander and one had his oil changed by a toyota dealer he drove 1500 kms and the engine was making a funny noise well he checked the oil down 4 liters 2 months later the motor blew no waranty . the other friend was going on vacation at the border the security guard waved him to pull up to the booth he put hi highlander in drive but the toyota highlander wouldn't move the transmission was finished 5000 $ and no warranty in canada haha what do you think of this crap now
Certain engines are prone to whipping or milling poor quality oils.
Although the link at the bottom takes you to a report I prepared for my Corvair groups, much of the material is applicable to other engines.
And for cleaning up sludged engines before they fail, look for a good CI-4/SL oil without the CJ-4 or SM, and try a cleaning product like AutoRx that will clean up the sludge in a thousand miles or so.
can i suggest if you are considering an 2007, this is the newest "Gen" that has had a whole bunch of problems, as a casual search here will tell you. I think i'd actually choose a 2006 model instead. I think it isnt likely you are going to find a sludge problem, you can always pull a valve cover and check.
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1MZ: Confirm PCV is open/working and ....
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