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white smoke - READ ONLY

18 messages,  Last post on Oct 29, 2003 at 12:32 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Engine, Van

Messages Page 2 of 2

#9 of 18 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 29, 2003 (9:54 pm)

Well the carbon deposits are quite common and could mean nothing at all. This is not a good test for sludge at all. So discount that.
 
The blue smoke is another matter but again doesn't have to relate to sludge. It could be worn valve stem seals for instance, which is not unusual for 65K, it's certainly possible.
 
I don't really understand what the motive would be for the dealer to "hide" a sludge problem. They get paid to fix it.
 
It would have been better for you to have examined the engine when they removed the valve covers and checked for sludge. They should have offered to show this to you and you should have suggested that you witness it.
 
Anyway, about all you can do now is ask them to do it again and show you the evidence. You might have to pay for this, but if you want peace of mind this may be the way.
 
But get the "carbon" thing out of your head. Dead end, wrong diagnostic evidence.
 
The blue smoke is real and could mean something--but we don't know what yet.

#10 of 18 by 0patience

Sep 29, 2003 (11:19 pm)

disaptd7,
It shows a PCV valve for the vehicle.
PCV Valve Part number 1220420010
If you are looking at the engine, the oposite side of the throttle body, tucked down below the ground strap is the PCV hose. Follow the brake booster hose to the manifold and the PCV hose should be just below that. THen you should be able to follow the hose to the PCV Valve. I am not certain on that engine, but it may be one that is threaded in.

#11 of 18 For Pecto3 by scoti1

Sep 30, 2003 (4:56 am)

Another sign of sludge is rapid consumption of oil. Check your oil frequently. If you start using several quarts between oil changes, you should insist on having it checked for sludge again. It may be worth it to pay an non-Toyota mechanic to check the engine. Be sure to ask to see the engine once the valve cover is removed.
 
Regarding Toyota dealerships making money off of fixing sludged engines, does anyone know what the deal is between Toyota and the dealerships on this? It is not a traditional warranty, it is a policy. Just speculation on my part, but there may be some disincentives to fixing the sludged engines to keep the costs down.

#12 of 18 sludge problem by tg529

Sep 30, 2003 (6:27 am)

I have a 2001 Toyota Sienna with 28,000 miles. I think I have the sludging problem, however, I can only prove that I've changed the oil 2 times March of 2002 and Sept. 2003. Is Toyota going to honor their policy with my car? Help!!!!

#13 of 18 honoring sludge policy by scoti1

Sep 30, 2003 (8:08 am)

I have been looking into this, and it seems like Toyota is all over the place on this. I have seen reports of a Lexus owner who did not have to provide one single receipt and got her engine replaced under the policy and I have seen other accounts of Toyota requiring every single oil change receipt. When this first came out the word was proof of one oil change per year was deemed reasonable maintenance. I don't know what happens to people who change their own oil.
 
More importantly, are the oil changes you list the only two that were done or the only two that you can prove? Many places keep computer records of oil changes and they may be able to help you if you have lost some receipts.
 
Good luck to you and let us know what happens.

#14 of 18 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 30, 2003 (10:54 am)

It would seem most unproductive and unreasonable for Toyota to make sludge repairs a disincentive for the dealer, given the bad publicity surrounding the issue. The last thing they want is for this issue to rise up again in the public mind. This was, after all, Toyota's worst nightmare in their entire history in the US.
 
 If anything I would think dealers are being encouraged to facilitate sludge repair and are being monitored by the factory to do it right.
 
Of course, customers have to follow the guidelines for maintenance, so without good records there may be some difficulties for the owner there.

#15 of 18 Thanks! by pecto3

Oct 01, 2003 (6:30 pm)

Hi! I would like to thank all of those people who responded to my letter. You guys were right, i should've insisted on seeing the engine after the valve cover has been removed.
 
So right now, I guess what can I do is to change the oil and filter in a shorter interval than before. By the way 0patience, could you please describe again on how to find and replace the PCV valve on a 1998 Sienna? Im planning to replace that part this coming weekend and from what I read from your previous message, you were describing the process from a 2000 model. Thanks.

#16 of 18 Another White Smoke Victim by toyotajoe

Oct 28, 2003 (10:28 pm)

My van started blowing white smoke at start up at 55,000 miles. When we took it into the dealer, they said they couldn't see any smoke and did a diagnostic and the car was OK. I knew something was seriously wrong, so I brought it back again a few months later. The smoke was getting worse all the while.
 
This time the second word out of their mouths was we need all you oil change receipts. Then they acted like they'd never seen anything quite like this but would check it out.
 
Right now my valve seals are being replaced at a cost of $2,660. I told the guy my warranty would cover it...even if I need a judge to tell him so. They haven't said it wouldn't cover me yet, but its clear that's where they are going.

#17 of 18 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 29, 2003 (8:09 am)

I wonder why they are replacing valve seals if the smoke was white? Valve seals cause oil burning, which is a distinctive blue color. And why does it cost so much? Are they taking the heads off? And if so, why are they taking the heads off to replace valve stem seals?
 
All kinds of questions here!

#18 of 18 I would hope they had to pull the heads for this by swschrad

Oct 29, 2003 (12:32 pm)

as the cost might well indicate... and that would require replacement of the head gaskets. which would probably clear up the white smoke issue if it was a leaking but not catastrophically failed head gasket.
 
if not, you might have a minor issue fixed and the major one unfixed.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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