Ask the Car People.SM


Toyota Avalon 2004 and earlier

3628 messages,  Last post on Apr 21, 2013 at 6:02 AM

You are in the Toyota Avalon Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Interior, Sedan

Messages Page 330 of 364

#3284 of 3628 Re: White smoke out the tailpipe [platinumxtc] by alan_s

Jun 02, 2006 (11:03 am)

Replying to: platinumxtc (Jun 02, 2006 10:29 am)
You may have the engine sludge problem. Providing that you have the maintenance documentation (or can get the maintenance records from a Toyota dealer) to prove that the vehicle was properly maintained, then Toyota will cover this under an 8 year special warranty.
 
This is right off the Toyota Owner Info website:
 
Engine Oil Gel - Customer Support Program
  
  Question
  What is Toyota's Customer Support Program for engine oil gel?
  
  Answer
  A very small number of Toyota owners have reported engine damage from a condition known as oil gelling or sludge. Because customer satisfaction is our first priority and we want our owners to know we stand behind our products, we implemented a Customer Support Program for covered vehicles that have experienced engine oil gel.
Engine oil gel occurs when old, dirty engine oil becomes thick and no longer adequately lubricates the engine and, if not corrected, can lead to severe engine damage. Performing regular engine oil and engine oil filter changes will prevent engine oil gel.
 
Symptoms of engine oil gel may include:
 
MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light)/Check Engine Light “On”
Blue smoke from the tailpipe
Excessive oil consumption
If you are not experiencing symptoms and are maintaining the vehicle as recommended in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide or Owner's Manual Supplement, no further action is required. We simply encourage you to continue to perform engine oil and engine oil filter changes as recommended. We are confident that the majority of Toyota customers do not require any reminder about the importance of changing the engine oil in their vehicles.
 
The Customer Support Program assists customers who have made a reasonable effort to maintain their vehicles and have engine repairs due to engine oil gel. The Customer Support Program will provide coverage for engine oil gel related damage for eight (8) years from the date of first sale or lease of a vehicle with no mileage limitation.
 
Vehicle maintenance information can be found on our Service and Maintenance page. The Toyota Scheduled Maintenance Guide or Owner's Manual Supplement can also help you determine which maintenance interval is appropriate for your driving conditions.
 
If your vehicle has symptoms of engine oil gel, please contact the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership for further assistance.
 
Each claim is individually reviewed to determine if reimbursement is appropriate. If you have paid for previous repairs you feel may be related to this condition, please contact us at 1-888-802-9436 for further assistance.
 
The following vehicles have engines covered by the Customer Support Program:
 
MODEL MODEL YEAR
Avalon 1997-2002
   
Camry
    4 Cylinder
     1997-2001
    V6 1997-2002
   
Celica 1997-1999
Highlander
    4 Cylinder Not involved
    V6 2000-2002
   
Sienna 1997-2002
   
Solara
    4 Cylinder 1999-2001
    V6 1999-2002
  
For more info click here:
 
Toyota Owner Info

#3286 of 3628 Re: White smoke out the tailpipe [alan_s] by platinumxtc

Jun 02, 2006 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: alan_s (Jun 02, 2006 11:03 am)
Alan,
 
Thanks again, just as a heads up, I called and the warranty on my car ended in May of 2005. The customer support rep assumed it may be a loose valve within the engine. He asked me to contact the dealer who sold me the car. After contacting him, he claims that there isn't an issue with the car because, "it runs fine and doesn't make any unusual sounds." What would you suggest I do?

#3287 of 3628 Re: White smoke out the tailpipe [platinumxtc] by alan_s

Jun 02, 2006 (1:29 pm)

Replying to: platinumxtc (Jun 02, 2006 1:12 pm)
There is a special 8 year warranty for this problem, if you car has this particular problem. Your standard 60 month powertrain warranty may be up, but the 8 year warranty is a special warranty that runs 3 years after the standard 5 year warranty runs out.
 
I suggest you go into a Toyota dealer with the car and VIN and ask them to print out the maintenance history of the car. If the car was maintained by Toyota dealers, the records will be on Toyota's computer system. I don't think you should initially give them the reason you are asking for the records, because who knows - they may not want to give them to you. Tell them you just bought the car and you want to see the service history.
Once you have the records, then you could talk to them about your concerns. The dealers know about this problem and they may be able to assist you in getting this done under the warranty, otherwise get the diagnosis from the dealer in writing if this is in fact the problem, and then call the Toyota customer service number with your documentation in hand.
The 2000 Avalon is a very good car, but if you have the engine gel problem it will have to be fixed, however you have to get this diagnosed first by a Toyota dealer.
 
The other question is if you received any warranty from the selling dealer? If so, you may have some recourse there.
 
How many miles has your car done?

#3288 of 3628 Re: White smoke out the tailpipe [platinumxtc] by scoti1

Jun 05, 2006 (6:40 am)

Replying to: platinumxtc (Jun 02, 2006 1:12 pm)
platinumxtc,
 
Yes, agree with Alan, it sounds like the sludge problem. Classic symptoms are the smoke and what appears to be oil usage (the oil is really just getting gunked up inside your engine and not circulating). You may also notice chunks or globs of oil on the dipstick.
 
Has the check engine light come on yet? The longer you drive in this condition, the more potential damage you may be doing to your engine. The only way for a certain diagnosis is to get the valve cover pulled. If you have this done at Toyota, ask to be present when it is removed so you can see for yourself or go to an independent mechanic for the diagnosis. The 8 year policy is from initial purchase and unlimited miles, so you should be covered until 2007/08 depending on the purchase date. The big problem is that you must prove "reasonable" maintenance -- virtually impossible for a buyer of a used vehicle unless like Alan said the original owner had the oil changes performed by Toyota or you can locate the owner and find where he did get the oil changed (most every place keeps electronic records these days). I also agree with Alan, that you may have some recourse with whoever you bought the vehilce from.
 
Toyota may be gracious enough to do this for you out of good will if you are unable to locate records, but you may need to take it to Toyota corporate to get some action. Good luck.

#3289 of 3628 Shift Lever Light by goldengrove1

Jun 07, 2006 (2:23 pm)

How do I replace the shift lever bulb on a 98XLS? I removed the trim but just do not know how to get to the bulb.

#3290 of 3628 Re: White smoke out the tailpipe [platinumxtc] by goldengrove1

Jun 07, 2006 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: platinumxtc (Jun 02, 2006 10:29 am)
I think your piston rings are bad and that is the reason you are burning oil.The oil is seeping into the cumbustion chamber when the pressure builds up.If I am right,you should demand a refund from the guy who did your tune-up.Just my two cents.Please keep the forum posted.

#3291 of 3628 Perhaps pinging on 2002 XLS by jesch1

Jun 08, 2006 (7:19 pm)

Love this car as original owner with 56k, but it has pinging type noise on acceleration at lower speeds, an automatic. Mechanic says Toyota says try premium. Did that for awhile and noise was not as noticeable. Got off that about six months ago and back to gasahol 89-90 octane again and now problem seems a little worse. Back to this tank 92 octane and still a problem. Anyone else have anything like this?
Regular toyota oil and filter changes usually 3000 miles.
 
Nothing in manual about needing premium gas and it is more expensive. Seems Toyota problem. Also have a new 2005 XLS and use 89 octane with gasahol, as does dealer for new Avalons. With gasahol subsidies, that gas makes sense. Helpful comments please.
 
gpfor4j

#3292 of 3628 Re: Perhaps pinging on 2002 XLS [jesch1] by abfisch

Jun 12, 2006 (7:52 am)

Replying to: jesch1 (Jun 08, 2006 7:19 pm)
Have an O2 with 82K. No pinging ever. Have them check the values, or similar engine componetry.
 
abfisch

#3293 of 3628 Check engine light comes on after timing belt change by lschoelkopf

Jun 12, 2006 (4:52 pm)

My check engine light came on after timing belt was changed. It has never come on before, 89k miles. He wants to tear into it again to see, although he manually cleared the code/light. What could have caused this? The car has run perfectly since new(2000).

Messages Page 330 of 364

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement