I got sludge! yah!

[artemedes]

It is almost as big as a golfball.

Do you think the kerosene desludging process can fix this?

[Dj-torn]

You need some Auto-rx on that thing.

[nodrogkam]

that looks pretty darn bad. hope mine doesnt look like thtat...i'll probably never know tho. haha

not sure what to use but definately get that gunk out and change your oil more often.

[toyomoho]

Check out other “similar posts” listed at the end of your thread.


I used to clean out manual transmissions with kerosene but wonder about an engine like this. What is the possibility of this sludge breaking loose and plugging up an oil passage or the oil pump screen? You might just remove what you see the best you can, and then start changing the oil more often to flush out the engine. If you do flush, you might check the oil screen and of course replace the filter often. I'd drop the oil pan either way to see what is there as some sludged engines have seized up.

[ToyotaToday]

Yeah, like the previous post says, cleans much as you can see, and when you change your oil make sure you run your engine hot before you do the oil change. Thin out any sludge or prevent further sludge build up.

[chronoti]

you can also drop the oil pan and clean out what you see there.

[DAMON]

man thats rough, i hope mine doesnt look like that

what year is your camry?

[Grayguy]

How many miles are on that thing. I'm now concerned about what is in mine...

[fat_bastard]

Personally I'd get a beast of a Shop-Vac and suck it out of the head then pull the pan and do the same thing there.

[artemedes]

Thanks for the support.

I should have said this in my first post, but it is not as bad as it looks. I had to use a block of wood and hammer to loosen the valve gasket, so that big chunk and those loose flakes on the cams most likely was just knocked off the underside of the cover.

I put it back together and used a quart of kerosene for a few minutes in order to clean some of it out. I changed my oil and filter and will do this again in another 1000 miles or so. When I pulled the valve cover off again it looked much better.

I just got this car so this sludge is from the previous owners neglect.

I took lots of photos if anyone wants to host a "how to" to change the VCG.

[marc780]

Artemedes i dunno if running kerosene in the engine is good...the cure being worse than the disease (for your engine)?
Id try auto rx like he said.

[artemedes]

The kerosene was only in there long enough to get the engine warm enough to change the oil. Ever look at the ingredients for a quart of engine flush? It is mostly kerosene. So I don't think I did anything out of the ordinary or terribly bad for the engine. I watched the oil closely as I drained it. It was as black as pitch and thick, but I couldnt' discern any clumps or solid sludge.

I guess I'll just have to drive it around and see how it runs.

It didn't get rid of all of it, but it looked much better. I think I am safe by slowly getting rid of it with flushes before frequent oil changes.

I also am thinking that I will drop the pan and clean the screen at the next flush/oil change.

edit:attached photos after 1 qt kerosene (2 minutes) photos:

[JMSinMD]

Toyota did issue an 8yr/unlimited miles warranty coverage on certain vehicles due to sludge. Jon.

[artemedes]

I updated my above post with a couple photos.

This is a 97 camry 5SFE and I have only had a couple of months. So no warranty for me.

[marc780]

Well art whatever you think you have to do Id like to see those photos. From the looks of things i'd take a plastic knife, and shop vac and solvent and have at it in the valve train area, oil pan too of course.
Im curious though if auto-rx does half what it claims, wonder whats in it? Anyone know The image is from Auto rx web site. And no i dont work for them