Sludge or other oil issues in XRS?

[marcpunk]

My 2004 XRS decided it did not want to drive this morning without sputtering, I turned it off, and it would not start again. Towed it to the dealer, who said they need to take apart the engine. I drive like an old lady, Ive never experienced what the car is supposed to be like at high RPM's, and I only drive about 8 miles a day. Per owner's manual, I change oil about every 7500 miles, and was at that window, but I also leave the car for 3-4 days at a time, without driving at all, so maybe buildup, thickening of oil or whatever else happens for one of these reasons. Anybody know of this as an issue with this engine?

[greywolf]

Your driving style puts your car in the severe service category. Look at your owners manual again. It does not recommend 7500 mile intervals for your driving conditions. 7500 miles is too long an interval for any engine in that type of service. I don't have my manual here right now but I found a manual for a Pontiac Vibe online that has the same engine. Car's in limited mileage, city stop and go driving are supposed to have oil changes every 3000mi or 3 months, whichever comes first.

[Frank@toronto]

Sludge is normally formed when, for what ever reason, the oil "burns" thus becoming thicker and thicker. Some engines have more hot spots than others.

I haven't heard any reports stating that Matrix engines where prone to this failure.

My guess, is that your oil pump may have failed.

[marcpunk]

oil pump, huh. hadnt considered that. that would explain how the car was perfect one day, and undriveable the next.