How long does it take for oil sludge to build up?
If that is the case then there hasn’t been enough time to build up sludge under normal conditions, unless you drove low on oil for like 30,000km. There is something fishy going on. The first step is to get a second opinion. How often did you check the oil? Pawz writes… Dealership serviced regularly at the same place for 5 years.
What should a mechanic know about engine sludge?
Your mechanic should have known that there was the possibility of sludge when they drained the oil on the first occasion. Additionally, it might be that the new oil, which contain detergents, has moved some of the sludge and blocked an oil gallery or pickup which has caused the accelerated failure.
What to do if your car has sludge in it?
Check the engine oil level and condition. If it’s low, adjust to spec and test drive to see if the concern is resolved. If it’s dirty, change the oil and filter and test drive to see if the concern is resolved. Remove the oil cap and/or the valve cover and inspect the valve train for sludge.
Can a car be killed by oil sludge?
Oil sludge can become a problem in any modern vehicle if neglected. Synthetic oil minimises this but skipped services will kill pretty much any engine regardless of brand. The days of not servicing a car for years on end and expecting it to be reliable are well and truly gone.
How long does it take to fix oil sludge in Toyota engines?
In that case, Toyota agreed to repair ‘sludged-up’ engines for up to eight years from the time of purchase. While Toyota staunchly maintained that any such “oil-gel” problems are attributable to owners’ abuse or poor maintenance habits it did set up a mechanism to reimburse complainants.
When did Toyota settle with oil sludge lawsuit?
The language of the settlement appears to include reimbursement to those people who may have already paid to have their sludge damage repaired. Toyota settled a class-action engine-sludge suit in 2007 that covered an estimated 2.5-million Toyota and Lexus vehicles made between 1997 and 2002.
Why does Toyota pay for oil gel damage?
While Toyota staunchly maintained that any such “oil-gel” problems are attributable to owners’ abuse or poor maintenance habits it did set up a mechanism to reimburse complainants. The language of the settlement appears to include reimbursement to those people who may have already paid to have their sludge damage repaired.