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Toyota Avalon Engine Questions

364 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2013 at 2:31 PM

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

    
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Messages Page 8 of 37

#69 of 364 sludge by scoti1

Mar 01, 2004 (9:08 am)

In answer to #353 of 356 sludge by mcescher1 Feb 29, 2004 (8:34 am) :
 
"Is there a sludge problem on the 2003 Avalon XLS with the 3.0L 1MZ V-6 engine?"
 
After announcement of the sludge policy in 2002, Toyota made some running changes to the V-6 engine to help prevent the build-up of sludge. This was reported to be a modification to the PCV system and some other minor engine modifications.
 
"Has anyone figured out why there is a sludge problem on some Toyotas? "
 
There has been nothing definitive reported, only a lot of theories. Toyota continues to blame it on owner lack of maintenance. Based on the changes Toyota made to the 2003 engine, it may have been due to the PCV design. Others have claimed that the engine runs hot, cooking the oil and turning it to sludge. The long oil change intervals recommended by Toyota (7,500 mi. normal driving conditions and 5,000 mi. severe driving) were also pointed to as a possible contributor to the problem.

#70 of 364 Oil/Sludge remarks by abfisch

Mar 01, 2004 (10:34 am)

Forum:
 
I have 40K on my 02 Avalon. I change the oil every 5K, almost on the decimel. I use regular or blend during the months other than winter (North Country) where I use Mobil 1 synthetic 0W-30 (Viscosity is superior in temps below 0 F.)
 
I have NO sludge problem. I do not burn any oil.
 
abfisch

#71 of 364 Engine Sludge? by smoore5

Mar 05, 2004 (5:51 pm)

I have a 2000 Avalon XLS. I had sludge problems and needed a ring and valve job at 26,000 km. I used a little oil after the rebuild but the car has been running fine until very recently. I now have 77,310 km on it and my lease is up in two weeks. I have changed oil religiously at about 6000 km or less since the rebuild. I had my last change at 75,090 km on February 5th. I checked the oil about two weeks ago and it was fine. However, in the last day or so I started to notice the oil pressure light coming on when I braked. I checked the oil today and had to add 3 litres (about 3 American quarts)to get it up to full in the diptstick. There is no oil on the garage floor so I must be burning it. That is 3 litres in less than 2300 km and probably less that 1500 km.
 
I know they extended the oil for sludging problem to 8? years. I could just keep filling it with oil and turn it in at the end of the lease and shut up. I have the receipts to show that I did all of the required maintenance. I am wondering if there is any other explanation for the oil use?
 
I would prefer to come clean now and get the car fixed before it comes off lease. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

#72 of 364 oil sludge by lyn03

Mar 06, 2004 (9:14 am)

smoore5, please read my post #223.

#73 of 364 Oil Sludge by smoore5

Mar 06, 2004 (11:22 am)

Thanks Lyn03, I read the post. I decided to go to the dealer today and advise them of the problem. Service wasn't open so there wasn't much they could do.
 
I was told that the car must be fixed before I can surrender it at the end of the lease, even if the problem is covered by the warranty.
 
I strongly suspect that I am going to need a complete rebuild just like I had at 26,000 km. I probably won't see the car again because the lease is up at on March 22nd.
 
Does anyone know if the extended warranty for the oil sludge problem entitles you to a loaner?

#74 of 364 RE. Oil Sludge by scoti1

Mar 08, 2004 (7:15 am)

smoore5, yes, you are supposed to get a loaner while the sludge repairs are being done.

#75 of 364 vibrations at low RPM range by ecoguy

Apr 08, 2004 (10:27 am)

I own a 2003 Avalon XL that has about 9000 miles on it. From the time it had only 300 miles, I have been feeling a vibration through the gas pedal and steering wheel when the engine is turning between 1400 and 1800 RPMs. This only occurs when the car is in gear (and it occurs consistently in all gears during normal driving). The vibration is also transmitting itself through the dashboard because I can often hear a buzz sound along with what I can feel. I had a local Toyota dealer check it out at 1000 miles and the mechanic wrote "Vibration from pedal is normal from electronic. Throttle control actuctor is normal." I brought the car to another dealer at 2700 miles and actually went on a drive with the mechanic (I took the day off from work). He heard the buzz, but could not diagnose the source of the vibration. I took the car back to the first dealer last week and was told that they could not feel the vibration.
 
I've searched the major Avalon discussions and have not found anything like this. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem?

#76 of 364 Re: vibrations at low RPM range [ecoguy] by culpeper

Dec 07, 2004 (9:37 pm)

Replying to: ecoguy (Apr 08, 2004 10:27 am)
It's not the wheels. I have the same problem with a 1990 4Runner V6 (believe it or not). Put the vehicle in drive, hold down on the brakes and get the motor up to the same rpm range and you can duplicate the noise. Maybe exhaust crossover pipe. I don't know and neither does my local Toyota dealer.

#77 of 364 Vibrations... by nomad56

Apr 11, 2004 (10:20 am)

Sorry so slow to get back... I'm travelling alot right now, and my time on the PC is brief. I don't have an answer though. I would have written it off as "harmonic vibration/resonance" This happens on many cars, and is usually left to an RPM range that is out of an engines "cruising" speed. ...but, then you say it vibrates your dash??? Sounds too strong to be resonant frequencies???? You also say it can be felt in the steering wheel, Wow! It sounds to me like the vibration is in the front of the "car", not necessarily the throttle pedal, which is electronic and NOT physically connected to the engine. I would troubleshoot this by putting the rear wheels/tires on the front(be sure all tires are moving in the right direction, if they are directional) and driving the car. If it goes away, it's a resonant vibration in the wheels, even though they are "balanced". 1) RE-balance them. 2) Inspect tires for irregular treadwear, which can cause this 3) Research the tires you have and see if they are known for this (more common in a truck's aggressive tread tire). Finally, I would go drive another Avy, or two, and see if they do it. Let us know how you progress -nomad56-

#78 of 364 vibrations at low RPM range by ecoguy

Apr 11, 2004 (9:51 pm)

Thank you, Nomad56, for your thoughts on my vibration issue. I'm a bit confused by your suggestions about the tires. The vibration occurs at a specfic RPM range (1400-1600) and is not related road speed. The vibration actually stops when I let up on the gas pedal (because this causes the RPMs to decrease). I agree that I should try driving another Avalon as a comparison. I'll try to arrange that with the dealer.

Messages Page 8 of 37

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