Any Engine Oil Sludging Problems? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Bubbajet · 07-11-2005, 11:21 AM

Consumer Reports this month had an article about certain engines prone to oil sludge build-up. One engine mentioned was the 4 cylinder in the 1997 Camry. Toyota and others have extended the warranty period for this problem. Of course mine is out of that extended warranty period and I am the 2nd owner. Has anyone used a flush or used any other method to take care of this problem if there is one?

Nuke209 · 07-11-2005, 12:00 PM

i never had this problem, I run synthetic oil which doesn't happen to me, they're probably using penzoil lol

But i've flushed my engine with some engine flush a few times, works nice
Some people use seafoam too

Lord_Anarchy · 07-11-2005, 12:13 PM

Bubbajet, don't worry my friend, here are you answers:
1) PCV designs from Toyota have always been "barely sufficient". Using crappy oil led to this sludge build up in many Toyo motors. I know that the Previa, Camry, and I believe Tundra or Tacoma suffered a sludge problem.

2) To prevent it. Use synthetic oil and just keep your PCV in clean, working order. With that, you'll be just fine.

Might I recommend Mobil 1 Full Synthetic

kenny1773 · 07-11-2005, 01:04 PM

I am just curious, did anyone ever publish any statistics on how many camrys were sold in each model year affected and how many actually had to have engine rebuilds?

Something like 1997 sold 1 million camry's and 100,000 required engine rebuild due to sludge prior to 150k miles or something like that?

I have anti Toyota friends that constantly throw the sludge issue in my face and it gets old. I simply can not believe that 75% or even 50% of the Camry's sold actually had this problem and needed engine rebuilds.

I always use mobil I syn and would never have had this issue even if I had an affected car. My same stupid friends give me crap about wasting my money on synthetic

Lord_Anarchy · 07-11-2005, 02:32 PM

Sounds like you need new friends

So, Anti-Toyo, eh? As long as you don't tell me they are rootin' for GM, I'm fine. Meanwhile, the sludge problem is due to poor PCV design. Better oil and a clean PCV and your good to go. Meanwhile, "wasting" money on Synthetic? That doesn't exist because any motor that runs on synthetic actually gets a prolonged life at the minimum. Yes, even GM motors.

Ken4 · 07-11-2005, 08:04 PM

The problem only started arising when Toyota recommended 7500mile OCI on dino oil.

kenny1773 · 07-11-2005, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Anarchy

Sounds like you need new friends

So, Anti-Toyo, eh? As long as you don't tell me they are rootin' for GM, I'm fine. Meanwhile, the sludge problem is due to poor PCV design. Better oil and a clean PCV and your good to go. Meanwhile, "wasting" money on Synthetic? That doesn't exist because any motor that runs on synthetic actually gets a prolonged life at the minimum. Yes, even GM motors.

yeah friends, coworkers, fine line. One in particular is pro american cars and doesn't listen to facts (like my camry is more american made than most Fords and Chevys). He currently owns a Jeep with 26k on it and is already having issues, but he writes them off to his admitted abuse of the 4x4 off roading (I doubt it, the thing would have issues anyway)

Then I have my BMW loving friends that all say the camry has no soul and is just an empty shell that old people drive to church in

Yeah I hate them sometimes, ok most of the time

I love Toyota - I have owned 5 now and currently own 2. I have used Mobil one ever since 1990 in all my cars and motorcycle and I love synthetic oil too. I see no money wasted, only well spent. However, for the person that leases and has a new car every 2 to 3 years, synthetic IS a waste. I keep them at least 150k, so it is money well spent to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken4

The problem only started arising when Toyota recommended 7500mile OCI on dino oil.

That is good to know. My new gen5.5 camry says to change every 5000, and I will with mobil I. I would never let any oil sit for 7500 in any car, I just can't do it, it pains me

So anyone that went to "rip-u-lube" and had oil replaced every 3000 miles should be fine?

Lord_Anarchy · 07-11-2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1773

his admitted abuse of the 4x4 off roading

Where the hell is that "trail-rated" crap? The qudra-steer Hemi powered Cherokee is nice though. I still hate Mopar though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1773

Then I have my BMW loving friends that all say the camry has no soul and is just an empty shell that old people drive to church in

Atleast that lady will get to church for if it was BMW beloved 7 series cars, she would have had fifty electrical issues before she even turned the key to "start". ConsumerReports.org and Consumer Reports Magazine say the 7 series is NOT RECOMMEND. How much do those things cost? They can't get electrical issues right? They don't even put out cars like the family sedan and compact sedan class leading Toyota cars Camry and Corolla. What's the excuse? Although.. BMW 330i handles like a dream (I'll give him his company's motto "The Ultimate Driving Machine")

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1773

I love Toyota - I have owned 5 now and currently own 2. I have used Mobil one ever since 1990 in all my cars and motorcycle and I love synthetic oil too. I see no money wasted, only well spent. However, for the person that leases and has a new car every 2 to 3 years, synthetic IS a waste. I keep them at least 150k, so it is money well spent to me.

The family all owns Toyota and everyone is satisified. I use sythentic since these peeps think all oil is the same. As for the new car dealio, I agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1773

So anyone that went to "rip-u-lube" and had oil replaced every 3000 miles should be fine?

yup

thoughthard · 07-12-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuke209

they're probably using penzoil lol

That is the reason why I do not use Pennzoil.

Lord_Anarchy · 07-12-2005, 05:56 PM

anyone try that Penzoil Platinum? That's synthetic, right? I'll give to 'em for havin' a fancy name but is that oil any good?

Diehonda · 07-13-2005, 02:26 PM

penzoil synthetic blend and I have no sludge. What is any more wrong with penzoil then with castrol or other companies. Synthetic and synthetic blends of most brands are better hadns down over dino. I change mine every 3500 to 4000 and no problems in 100K.

Seafoam will clean the build up you have now.

steve97 · 07-13-2005, 08:45 PM

Camry's are tough on oil. And the 3.7 qt capacity is too small.

I change out oil every 2500 miles just to be sure. Even still, the oil comes out as dark as Pepsi.

V6LE_CAMRY · 07-13-2005, 09:03 PM

Pennzoil just sucks and Amzoil is some what known for foaming up, and synthetic oils can cause leaks or make them worse if you already have a leak. i think that castrol is one of the best oils out there synthetic blends are not bad at all for some reason when i used Castrols Syntc blend it seem to make the engine run allitle smother on my old minivan. I use Castrol GTX 5-30W in my camry now and thinking of using the syntec blend on the next oil change.

Hajoca · 07-14-2005, 07:03 AM

On top of that, the Gen 4 and on engines do not have provision for engine oil cooling... like ATF, motor oil degrades considerably quicker once the temps. rise a little bit.

I use heavyduty multi fleet (ie diesel) motor oil that is SJ (I believe SH is required om my 98 Camry) rated for my cars.
I am debating wether ot not to add in an oil cooler, but an ATF cooler is in progress of fabrications, and E-Coat.