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"Most post 1992 Camrys have sludge problem and will seize" rumor - READ ONLY

137 messages,  Last post on Jul 30, 2000 at 7:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Engine, Oil

Messages Page 15 of 15

#132 of 137 Like, WHY....? by bnormann

Jul 23, 2000 (3:14 am)

From a technical standpoint, WHY would this particular engine create sludge? It seams to me you must need several unique elements to come together in order to create this sludge. Just like you need fuel, oxygen, and heat to create (and sustain) fire, there must be a combination of factors that create sludge. WHAT are they and WHERE are they on the Toyota 4 cylinder? That's what I want to know.


       Bruce

#133 of 137 I have no answer to that. by 210delray

Jul 23, 2000 (3:44 am)

Maybe this is an isolated problem which has been blown out of proportion, or maybe not.


It seems to me that ANY engine will sludge up if oil and filter changes are neglected for too long.


A brief story: a co-worker's husband acquired a used '96 Camry 4-cylinder that he "didn't like." (He also "didn't like" a nearly new '97 Civic before that and traded it in on the Camry.) Anyway, because of his dislike, he didn't have the oil changed for something like 30K miles. Finally, he decided to trade it at about 70K miles for a late-model full-size Chevy 4x4 pickup. Before doing so, he had another co-worker change the oil (finally!). I spoke with this co-worker afterward, and he said the oil dripped out of the drain hole rather than poured out, it was so thick.


Talk about sludge! But still, the car seemed to run fine. And the dealer who took the Camry in trade was asking something like $11,995 for it!

#134 of 137 Bruce.. by isellhondas

Jul 24, 2000 (4:28 pm)

I don't understand either. Maybe the crankcase doesn't vent as well as on other cars.


Four cylinder Toyota engines are VERY long lasting. It sounds like the owners of these should maybe change their oil a bit more often.


And, a bit of sludge does NOT ruin an engine!


How did this dumb topic get started in the first place?

#135 of 137 isellhondas by bnormann

Jul 25, 2000 (12:36 am)

....it got kicked out of another conference. Gee, I wonder why...


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#136 of 137 For Starters by fxashun

Jul 30, 2000 (7:48 am)

Carmax has no interest in gouging people for their trade in. We buy cars from people whether or not they are buying a car from us. The buyers appraise the cars based on it's own merits regardless of the reason the person is trading/selling it. Our buyers are graded on number of cars bought AND the margin. The closer to 0 the more successful the buyer is considered to be.


Also as Isell so deftly noticed we DO reject over half of the cars we evaluate. Actually it's closer to 80%. We reject them for engine problems, over 2 consecutive body panels of paint, clamp marks on the frame rails, poor cosmetics, branded title, carfax discrepancies, and many other reasons. Our cars are guaranteed for 30 days with bumper to bumper warranty that can be extended up to 5 years. We also have a 5 day/250 mile no questions asked return policy. It's all at www.carmax.com. So just because your dealership slapped an oil pan on your sludged Camry doesn't mean that all do. I'm sure you would also sell a Camry with extensive paintwork or a inconsistent Carfax report. Our warranty company does not allow us to be that lax.

#137 of 137 The reason. by fxashun

Jul 30, 2000 (7:58 am)

I asked our buyers and techs why this happens and here's their reason. When Toyota went to 2.2 liters from 2.0 in the Camry for some reason it caused the engine to run hotter in the upper cylinder area. This breaks down the oil faster that the recommended oil change interval allows for. If a Camry is cared for "by the book" there is a very good chance it will probably have sludge. If it has oil changes every 3000 miles or so it should be OK. It's just that many people don't.


Sludge can be checked in the Camry by looking in the oil cap because it screws right into the valve cover. It is not necessary to pull the valve cover in the 4 cyl. Camry to check for sludge because of this. You can actually look into the oil filler and see the insides of the cover. If the filler was in a remote position or covered as on the V6 models you WOULD have to remove the valve covers.

Messages Page 15 of 15

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