toy2g

I called the dealer yesterday and asked about cost of having the sludge removed from the engine of my very well used RX. He said it ranges from 350-1200 dollars. Does this sound right? Has anyone had it done?

What should I really expect to pay and is it worth it at 260k.

Note: I can see quite a bit of sludge with my scope, so I know it's there.

salimshah

Are you burning oil or hear metal slapping noise? If not, just get on good oil and regular oil change. Lexmex introduced me to Castroil European formula ... a bit expensive, but lot cheaper than the price range dealer told you.

Also post pictures if you can. With that many miles and RX engine running at elevated miles, you get varnish (thin coat of dried out oil). If you see lumped oil like tar then you oil jell.

Salim

toy2g

I will try to get a pic of it (the scope screen is only 2"). It looks like black tar..not jelly, just a scorched black and dark brown coating. It runs quite and good IMO. No smoke either, the only issue I have really is the slow shifting tranny when it's cold.

Do I dare try the DIY engine flush?

hypervish

I think you are looking at the coating that is on the baffle. You can NOT peer into the valvetrain by looking at the fill hole on these 1MZ-FE's, there is a baffle blocking it.

You need to pull of the front valve cover to really find out if there is sludge. It's a 15 minute job.

Don't do anything else till you confirm that there really is sludge in there.

toy2g

Thank you for the advise, i will humbly take it and pull the VC this week. If you don't mind, i will post a pic for your opinion.

hypervish

You're welcome!

I look forward to seeing the picture.

salimshah

That is normal. There are no other symptoms that you describe would lead me to think there is an oil gelling issue.

I do not like additives and flushes. I would say, just follow regular oil change (with good quality oil and filter).

When the engine and transmission are cold, your upper gears are locked out. Keep low rpm < 3K till fluids warm up.

Just use and enjoy your RX .. You are close to 1/4 million miles ... enjoy the blessings.

Salim

lexus114

Just start using Pennzoil Ultra. Great stuff with super detergent additives.

toy2g

I took it to the dealer and had the T-belt, water pump, drive belt, cam seal, crank seal and plugs changed.
They recommended a new valve cover gasket and a few other things but I was not prepared to spend more than a grand on this thing right now.

The said there was no serious engine sludge and the only real issue is a bad cat and cracked exhaust. So I guess I will go that direction for now.

hypervish

You went to the Lexus dealer for that?

Ouch, that must have hurt the wallet!

Keep in mind, if you must go to a dealer for service you can always go to the Toyota dealer if you want to save a few bucks.

fastnoypi

i used to have a sludge problem in mine, causing major oil consumption after 1 hr highway driving. I attributed the consumption to the sludge that clogged up my pvc system. At 150k or so, I've sea foamed the intake/pvc system and added seafoam to the oil prior to the last 2 oil changes to dissolve the sludge.
The RX no longer burns oil and the oil is alot cleaner looking after the past couple OCI's.

toy2g

It was painful, but I did take it to a Toyota dealer, the service our 6 toyota vehicles so they gave me a little break on the price. Still hurt though.

toy2g

How much do you add? Do you just dump it in right before the oil change?

fastnoypi

Both instances I added a 1/2 can to the oil and 1/2 through the pcv hose for top end cleaning. Do the top end first, as residues will be burnt off during a short drive.

Do not drive hard or for an extended period of time if its in the oil. Twice around the block is plenty. Then drain and refill with fresh oil.

Dan0902

Instead of adding half of a can add about 1 ounce per quart of oil at oil changes it will break down the sludge. Also use synthetic oil to prevent future occurences. I do this on every other oil change to maintain.