99 Solara

[gfreek]

Looking to buy a 99 Solara with 35,000 miles. Asking 6500. Question on my mind is concerning the oil sludge problem on them even with frequent oil changes. My brothers' engine blew on his Avalon due to sludge, (gel). Would an engine flush help?? Or is it a problem they've solved thru engine redesign.

[Calvin327]

Best way is to go with Synthetic Oil. If you want to flush it. My best advice is throw half a bottle of seafoam auto marine into the oil crankcase and drive it for about 15 miles or so. And change the oil the next day with fully synthetic oil and continue to use synthetic oil. You should have NO sludge problem if you use synthetic.

[SolaraTRD]

Originally Posted by gfreek

Looking to buy a 99 Solara with 35,000 miles. Asking 6500. Question on my mind is concerning the oil sludge problem on them even with frequent oil changes. My brothers' engine blew on his Avalon due to sludge, (gel). Would an engine flush help?? Or is it a problem they've solved thru engine redesign.

Wow, i thought my car had good miles, thats GREAT for a 1999. I think thats a good price too for the mileage.

ASk the owning if he changed it every 3,000 miles or 3 months.

For a car with that few miles, I'm thinking it sat in the driveway for some time before it reaches 3,000 miles. Change every 3 months or 3k, whichever comes first.

I think the FLUSH idea and seafoam would help.

good luck

[marc780]

I would check the engine for sludge before you lay down your money, since its a valid concern with these engines. Quick check is to stick yer finger in the oil filler hole and roto rooter a bit and see what comes out. Better would be to remove a valve cover. And examine the valve train and the underside of the cover.
Just draining some oil out to look would not tell much, a lot of people change the oil right before they try to sell a car. And the oil on the dipstick always looks cleaner than whats in the engine.

[Fresco Bob]

its a V6 with 35000miles for 6500? Thats a pretty good deal, but just incase its the 4cyl, then there is not sludge issue that Ive ever heard of.

[jhbhatia]

Originally Posted by gfreek

Looking to buy a 99 Solara with 35,000 miles. Asking 6500.

Need more info?
is it i4 or v6 and if v6 is it vl se or v6 sle!