Definition of engine sludge: a thick, jelly-like substance that is detrimental to the performance and extended life of an engine. Sludge obstructs oil passages and restricts oil flow. Once built up, it reduces heat transfer, increases the operating temperature and hampers engine operation. Sludge will ultimately lead to shortened engine life.
From the AERA (Americaan Engine Rebuilders Association) site:
Engine Coolant—Coolant is your engine's NUMBER ONE enemy. Engine sludge is inevitable when oil meets engine coolant. Oil and coolant react to form deposits as they experience temperature changes in your engine. Some are gooey or gel-like. Others are hard, brittle deposits that plug oil passageways, reducing oil flow. These two types of deposits GUARANTEE a shortened life for your engine.
A clogged or defective PCV valve can contribute to sludge formation. If this valve does not operate properly, harmful exhaust gases remain in the crankcase. These gases, which contain wwater, acids, soot, etc., promote sludge.
Some other conditions that promote sludge are: clogged air filter, low oil level, low coolant level, bad fuel, etc. Often, the oil seems to be at fault. BUT MORE OFTEN, oil is the VICTIM of *mechanical malfunctions*, extended oil drains or a poorly tuned engine.
The above is taken directly from "http://www.aera.org/Techside/enginesludge.htm."
Let's remember that the owners often find that the oil suddenly vanishes either just after an oil change or routine maintenance. Owners also have found that the coolant level mysteriously vanishes (one owner said her Sienna was *drinking* the stuff).
What about the mechanical malfunctions? Owners are finding both coolant and fuel in their oil. What can cause either? Head gasket problems can cause the coolant problem. Fuel system, including fuel injector leaking, can cause the fuel contamination. There are T.S.B. S in place for engine misfiring and fuel injector problems in the Sienna.
Owners have had high silicon levels in their oil, too. There is some indication of a problem a possible *air filtration* problem. How is DIRT getting into the air filter system? What effect does this have on the engine? Will it contribute to the formation of engine sludge over time?
Many have claimed that there are high temperatures that will result in sludge... That the owner is somehow causing this. It appears, however, that the high temperatures are a RESULT of some of the other malfunctions seen in these engines. An owner has no way of knowing there is high temperature without an indication on the dashboard.in most all these cases, though, the temperature increase is not causing the gauge to elevate and the owner is getting no warning whatsoever.indeed with the coolant contamination, the AERA site says, "You might not even notice the difference on your temp. Gauge. Constant elevated temperatures promote oil thickening, after thousands of miles, this can create sludge." In this situation, the owner has no way to know. A slow loss of coolant might be a sign, but often the dealerships have said that this isn't anything to worry about.
Fuel contamination has been noted in engines with less than 3,000 miles on the oil... Less than 2,000 miles on the oil. Engines which have seized show either fuel contamination, coolant contamination, or both.
An internal contaminant that is UNRELATED to owner maintenance is a likely cause of sludge. Toyota's data, however, shows that this problem is 100% an owner maintenance issue. Is this a half-truth? Do they mean that the sludge will occur if the owner changes the oil less often than every 3,000 miles? Are they saying that the owners are to blame for changing their oil as per the manufacturer's recommendation? Are they blaming US for this error?
And, if the oil HAS to be changed every 3,000 miles, WHY? If the engine cannot tolerate the above 3,000 mile oil changes, WHAT ELSE is going on in these engines? Changing the oil is a TEMPORARY way to eliminate an INTERNAL CONTAMINANT whose source has not been located, is it not? Will the every 3,000 mile oil changes eliminate the cause of the contamination or simply COVER IT UP until you are out of warranty? WHY is the oil in some of these engines becoming excessively contaminated in LESS THAN 3,000 MILES? Is there internal engine damage occurring regardless?
Toyota's generosity needs to be EXTENDED to allowing owners the dignity of seeing the owner-incriminating evidence. We know that Toyota dealerships have *secretly* been having engine oil samples analyses done. What are they looking for? Are they using the same lab each time? Are the getting a good cross-section of lab analyses done to promote statistically significant evidence? What do these analyses show?
It would be wise for owners to get an oil analysis done at intervals so see what is happening in their engines. This is especially true for those who have had the engine "cleaned in a vat" as is being done in so many cases under the CSP program. Is this a bandaid treatment that will allow you to operate your vehicle while it continues to endure irreparable damage? Will you take Toyota's word that this problem will not recur or that you engine will get the hundreds of thousands of miles that Toyota has claimed its engines get over time?
Get the oil analysis done. Stay AWAY from Blackstone Laboratory which has been proven to have made an error (didn't detect the EXCESSIVE FUEL IN THE OIL which two other companies found BEFORE the actual analysis) and which has been secretly doing LOTS of oil analyses for Toyota. Get more than one sample and send to different labs to confirm... Especially if you are in a dispute with Toyota about your engine repair coverage. If you suspect SLUDGE, get several samples over time and note the contaminants present in the oil.
I am happy to take your engine oil analysis results and I will promise to USE them to help your case and others. I live outside of Washington, D.C. And I can hand-carry the results to the NHTSA if necessary. The NHTSA is VERY INTERESTED in any evidence of FUEL contamination as this is most definitely a SAFETY-RELATED problem that would need IMMEDIATE attention. Help the owners get the data to point to the problem which is NOT OWNER-RELATED! Toyota is hoping that you won't bother. It is hoping that you are too busy to take the time to adequately protect your consumer rights.
Also, once you get this data, send a certified letter with return response requested to Toyota and let it know what you found. Ask it to locate the root cause of the problem and restore your full new vehicle warranty. Do not let it deny your warranty when a condition develops which is beyond your control.
Charlene
Vienna, Virginia
U.S.A.
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