Toyota Camry: 92-96 Camry: Sludge? Common Problems?

Just make sure the vehicle has had oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles
and there should be no issue.

If the vehicle that you are looking at does not have complete service
records, I would move on. Someone else's neglect will end up being your
headache.


"duckman66" <com> wrote in message
news:google.com... 

Having records is NOT conclusive proof of TIMELY oil services. For
instance, based on the absence of paperwork would you pass up a sharp
Camry whose routine maintenance had been performed by the owner
himself? Likely the Do-It-Yourself'r is not going to keep receipts
for oil and filters he used and may only record the mileages he did
these services. SO.... the point I'm getting at is you NEED to LOOK
inside the oil filler cap area for yourself and check for varnish.
Take a flashlight with you, look close, and deep. If not satisfied,
arrange to have the valve cover pulled.
--

-Philip

"Whatever is a choice will become chosen"


In news:eezLb.107389$bellglobal.com,
Car Guy <com> being of bellicose mind posted: 

Philip,

Good point! From the Do-It-Yourself'r I have met, they still have logs of
oil changes. These people not only record the milage they have performed
the service on, they also note what oil they bought as well as the filter.
I am sure these people are probably more detail oriented then others but
they still take the time to make the necessary notes not to satisfy the
potential buyer, but to keep track of what services were performed and when
they were performed.



"Philip®" <net.invalid> wrote in message
news:W7ALb.451$news.pas.earthlink.net... 

com (duckman66) wrote in message news:<google.com>... 
 
No.

Those reports pertained only to the later years in the following
"Generation" of Camrys.

In alt.autos.toyota.camry Daniel M. Dreifus <com> wrote: 
 
 

I always found it interesting that one rarely heard of sludge complaints
until the introduction of API SJ oils on. These oils have reduced ZDDP
compared to previous designations. The SJ standard in particular was
inferior and was rapidly replaced by SL. ZDDP is not only an anti wear
additive, but it also helps reduce oxidation and nitration issues.

com (Daniel M. Dreifus) wrote in message news:<google.com>... 

Interesting. Why not? Do you suppose these owners maintain their
vehicles better than those current Camry owners? IF this is an owner
neglect situation, why are only certain models included? No one has
PROPERLY answered this question.

Why is it that the later model, LOW MILEAGE Toyota V6 and 4-cyl
vehicles are seeing such a prevalence of engine oil sludge?
Obviously, this is NOT a maintenance issue.

Charlene Blake
com

http://www.petitiononline.com/TMC2003/petition.html

Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution

"Car Guy" <com> wrote in message news:<eezLb.107389$bellglobal.com>... 

Obviously, you haven't networked with Toyota owners who do change
their oil every 3,000 miles (which is much better than recommended in
the owner's manual) but who still got sludge. Most of these owners
got the sludge after the 60,000 miles mark, according to the reports.
It is not true that changing the oil every three thousand miles in the
sludge-prone vehicles will prevent the sludge formation. Not only
that, if you buy a used Toyota, even if the previous owner did change
the oil every 3,000 miles, you may be left holding the bag when it
comes to engine replacement. Despite the fact that Toyota has said
you need only one oil change receipt per year as proof of maintenance,
owners report dealerships requiring ALL the receipts. Nice way to
disqualify someone from the Customer Support Program for Engine Oil
Gelation, isn't it?

If you do purchase the vehicle, call the Toyota Engine Oil Gelation
hotline and ask for a copy of the letter that was supposedly (not all
owners got one) sent out to all 3.3 million affected Toyota owners.
See my post in this discussion for details.

Charlene Blake
com

http://www.petitiononline.com/TMC2003/petition.html

com (duckman66) wrote in message news:<google.com>... 

Has Toyota notified you about its "Customer Support
Program" for "Engine
Oil Gelation?"

Who: Owners of 1997-2002 Toyota and Lexus vehicles
with 3.0L IMZ V-6
engines and all 1997-2001 Toyota vehicles with the now
discontinued 2.2L
four cylinder engines. Nine models are included.

What: Engine oil sludge accumulation in the oil pan,
valve covers, and/or
cylinder heads with possible symptoms such as blue
smoke on cold start up
and oil consumption. Toyota maintains this "oil
gelation" is caused by the
owner's improper maintenance of the vehicle! The
owners disagree.

When: Former, current, and repeat repairs for
sludge-related damage are
covered for a period of 8 years from date of first
sale or lease with
unlimited mileage. This coverage includes all
reasonable incidental
expenses. If questions, consult with affected owners
in the groups listed
below.

Where: Effective April 3, 2002. Contact the Toyota
hotline at
1-888-802-9436. You'll be asked to show a reasonable
effort (not all oil
change receipts are required) to regularly maintain
your vehicle. Toyota
considers this a generous offer especially since the
owner is at fault!
Proceed cautiously.

What if you have received no letter? OR, you want more
information?

1) First, notify Toyota via certified letter with
return receipt requested
and give your case details. Let it know you have NOT
received your letter.
Ask it when you will get your letter, too.

2) Notify the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration at
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov and the Federal Trade
Commission at
http://www.ftc.gov. NHTSA: 1-800-424-9393.

3) Also, file with the Center for Auto Safety at
http://www.autosafety.org
and Consumer Affairs at
http://www.consumeraffairs.com. Read other owner
stories there.

4) Visit the "Toyota" folder in Cartrackers "Forums"
at
http://www.cartrackers.com and find the links to
articles listed there. You
should also post your own story there for others to
read.

5) Read the third Automotive News article "Toyota
broadens sludge-repair
program--Automaker alters V-6, insists neglect is
cause" by Richard Truett
published on April 4, 2002.

What if you want to do MORE in the way of consumer
action? OR, you don't
qualify for CSP?

6) Join other owners in the "Toyota Sludge Yahoo
Group" at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toyotasludge. Subscribe
at
"com." Post at
"com."

7) Join "Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution" at
http://communities.msn.com/ToyotaOwnersUniteForResolution.
Read other owner
stories there.

Visit the "Complaint Station for Toyota" at
http://www.thecomplaintstation.com. Please ignore
those who are strongly
countering the legitimate complaints of other Toyota
owners who have had
major problems.

9) Visit Edmund's Town Hall at http://www.edmunds.com.
First, you must
obtain a login and password to be able to access the
original (over 6,000
posts) "Engine Sludge?" discussion that began January
5, 2001. There are
other Toyota sludge discussions. All Toyota sludge
discussions have been
CLOSED at this site as of May, 2002.

10) Read other stories and post your own at
http://www.RipOffReport.com
under "Toyota" or "Lexus."

11) Contact com for more resources and
links, as well as to
discuss other concerns with your Toyota vehicle,
customer service, or
warranty issues. Network with other owners to stay
informed on these auto
consumer matters and to work collectively!
Stay-tuned?


Charlene Blake
com

http://www.petitiononline.com/TMC2003/petition.html