Hey guys .. I just purchased an 2002 ES300 and was wondering if the engine was an interference engine and what should I look into to make sure it is well maintained. I hear a lot about some engine sludge or something .. thank you.

And also .. where would be the best spot to purchase an OEM timing belt. Thank you.

 

i have a "new" 2002 es300 also. i have heard of this sludge issue and want to know more on it and what to do to prevent it!

 

My RX and your ES share similar engines, but I know that my RX300 is a non-interference engine.

 

If it's not a GR block, it's not interfferance period.
There is no sludge problem. If you change the oil, it'll stay nice & clean. Sludge & caking happens when you have a low quality oil & simply don't change it for a year. Change the oil every 5,000-7,500 miles like Lexus/Toyota says & it's fine.


Or atleast use a high quality synthetic oil that can stand up to the engine for that long.

 

so is the 2002 es300 a GR block, because i dont think so?

 

The 2002 should be the MZ engine, 1MZ-FE (2994cc).

There is a sticker under the hood, vacuum diagram.

The GR is used in the newer 2006+ Toyota based vehicles.

 

just to clarify things .. the 1mz-fe engine is non interference right? Ive heard mixed stories about it being an interference engine ... and not only that i have a friend who has the exact same car claiming that if the timing belt breaks .. a lot of things go wrong with the car and i am assuming belt valves and such.

 

Did I not just answer that?

 

Non-interference.

On a side note, I remember some of the confusion over in the RX forum started when one of the companies that makes the timing belts erroneously labeled the 1MZFE as an interference engine.

 

the 1MZ-FE (when it was VVT) was a non-interference engine. The VVT stands for Variable Valve Timing

In 1999 the 1MZ-FE became VVTi. The i stands for with intelligence.
I remeber it as Interference.

To make a long story short:
Any 1MZ-FE that is 1999 or newer (ie, 2002 ES) is an Interference engine.

steivej

 

uhh .. so which one is it .. can people confirm to me whether the 2002 es300 has an interference engine or not because now I am getting mixed replies .. thank you.

 

what part of "the 2002 ES 1MZ-FE engine is INTERFERENCE" did you not understand?

if you are still confused, call 1-800-25-LEXUS.

steviej