2000 Lexus Rx 300 - sludge ..

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

forums_mp@hotmail.com - 24 Jun 2006 02:43 GMT

My wife recently purchased a 2000 Lexus Rx 300. The auto had at
approximately 56K miles. Today the mileage is roughly 57K. At the
time of purchase we observed the Malfunction Indicator lamp was lit.
We were told by the 'infiniti' dealer that the auto was just serviced
and the lamp needs to be reset ( likely story ). Long story short, I
bought extended warranty etc and from the looks of things the wife
appeared happy. The next step for us was to take the auto to the
dealership but to date we haven't gotten around to doing so. The auto
- in my view appears sluggish. I decided to take a more intense look
at the motor. Opened the oil cap only to observe what looked like
'sludge'. Sure enough when I inserted my fingers and began scraping ..
it was sludge. I opted to pull the valve cover but since I'm unsure
where to find a decent 'mechanic guide/book' for this automobile I
chose not to do so. I scanned the internet only to observe that this
is an issue for folks - I suspect who choose not to change their oil at
the recommended intervals. From the looks of the receipts etc we
found in the auto, we believe the previous owner did a 'reasonable' job
maintaining the auto. The sludge though is a concern for me and the
obvious solution it seems is to take auto to the dealer? I suspect
once the sludge has been removed, all's well provided we do a
reasonable job changing the oil.

Short of that can I reset this malfunction indicator myself? If so
how?

Reply to this Message

amstaffs@home.com - 24 Jun 2006 03:37 GMT

forums_mp@hotmail.com quipped:

>My wife recently purchased a 2000 Lexus Rx 300. The auto had at
>approximately 56K miles. Today the mileage is roughly 57K. At the
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>Short of that can I reset this malfunction indicator myself? If so
>how?

If the engine has suffered sludging, it's probably totaled. Toyota
has been good about honoring a replacement engine if proof can be
provided that
the engines oil has been changed at their scheduled intervals. This,
obviously, can be difficult on a used car unless the Lexus dealer can
find
that vin in their maintenance database and it's oil changes were done
by Lexus dealers...which, quite honestly, is probably unlikely.

I do not know if your extended warranty will cover oil sludged
engines. Read the fine print and find out. I've read where some
people have been successful in clearing minor sludge but if it's
severe, forget it, the engine is toast.

Reply to this Message

NYLexSC - 24 Jun 2006 04:05 GMT

Disconnect the negative battery terminal for about 20-30 minutes then
reattach and start the car. This should clear the code assuming that
there is nothing throwing it (like the dealer says).

As for the sludge, go to a reputable lube shop in your area and have
them perform a motor flush. If possible, find a shop that has a
Bilstein Machine in their shop, this is a machine that is used
specifically for motor and transmission flushes. Make sure you have
some time, so that you can watch as they do it. Don't wanna get
scammed.

Signature

NYLexSC

Reply to this Message

forums_mp@hotmail.com - 24 Jun 2006 04:14 GMT

> If the engine has suffered sludging, it's probably totaled.

This is scary. It implies that I/we might have purchased a lemon.
Are you saying 'any form of sluding no matter how minute?'

> Toyota
> has been good about honoring a replacement engine if proof can be
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> that vin in their maintenance database and it's oil changes were done
> by Lexus dealers...which, quite honestly, is probably unlikely.

You're right .. Oh boy!!

> I do not know if your extended warranty will cover oil sludged
> engines. Read the fine print and find out. I've read where some
> people have been successful in clearing minor sludge but if it's
> severe, forget it, the engine is toast.

Reply to this Message

amstaffs@home.com - 24 Jun 2006 14:46 GMT

forums_mp@hotmail.com quipped:

>> If the engine has suffered sludging, it's probably totaled.
>This is scary. It implies that I/we might have purchased a lemon.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>> people have been successful in clearing minor sludge but if it's
>> severe, forget it, the engine is toast.

here's a note on Toyota/Lexus oil sludging:

http://www.corolland.com/sludge.html

here's an extreme case of oil sludging:

http://yotarepair.com/My%20Opinion.html

and finally a article from the Wall Street Journal concerning
Toyota/Lexus oil sludging:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2774

Reply to this Message

Curtis Newton - 24 Jun 2006 04:30 GMT

Are you sure it is sludge? The baffles used in the cam covers are
sheet metal. The baffels are used to separate the oil from the hot
gases that are being vented from the engine. Toyota coats the baffles
in a rubbery like coating that is black; sometimes it looks like
sludge.

I would run an Auto-RX treatment (http://www.auto-rx.com) if you are
unsure.

As for resetting the CEL, pull the negative battery cable for about 30
seconds.

Reply to this Message

forums_mp@hotmail.com - 24 Jun 2006 04:37 GMT

> Are you sure it is sludge? The baffles used in the cam covers are
> sheet metal. The baffels are used to separate the oil from the hot
> gases that are being vented from the engine. Toyota coats the baffles
> in a rubbery like coating that is black; sometimes it looks like
> sludge.

This wasn't rubber. I'm 'reasonably confident' ( though not a 100% )
it's sludge. I wanted to yank the valve cover off but I'd like to walk
through a book on this first.
Do you know of a decent (something akin to the 'bentley manuals' for
BMW's) manual for these cars?

> I would run an Auto-RX treatment (http://www.auto-rx.com) if you are
> unsure.
>
> As for resetting the CEL, pull the negative battery cable for about 30
> seconds.

Reply to this Message

Ray O - 24 Jun 2006 04:54 GMT

>> Are you sure it is sludge? The baffles used in the cam covers are
>> sheet metal. The baffels are used to separate the oil from the hot
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Do you know of a decent (something akin to the 'bentley manuals' for
> BMW's) manual for these cars?

Go to techinfo.toyota.com for access to factory service manuals. I believe
access is $10/day.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Reply to this Message