johncoby

My 2000 ES300 runs rough, the oil light flickers on, the check engine light is on but there is no oil burning or clattering etc. The shop claims it is an oil sludge problem and will require an expensive rebuild or new motor.

I am not putting in a new motor for a 2000 car.

So...I am wondering if an oil flush, or maybe two of them could possibly give this engine another 20k?

i really dont have anything to lose or do i?

LeX2K

Pull the front valve cover and have a look, no use just guessing if you have a sludge problem.

moonphase

Buy a can of SeaFoam engine treatment and follow the instructions on the can for use in the oil. Drive the car for fifty miles, then replace the oil with synthetic, and a new filter. When the oil is looking brown again, replace it again by using the SeaFoam with a fifty mile drive before replacement. If your car has lots of sludge, you probably don't want a very aggressive flush, as it might plug up the oil passages. Both the SeaFoam, and synthetic oil will remove sludge build-up. If your oil is really brown before you start, you might want to replace the oil filter only before doing the above routine.

BDSL

It can be faulty oil level or pressure sensor.
Or you can have a problem with your oil pump / passage.

moonphase

Sludge is mostly caused from moisture in the oil, and short trip driving where the engine doesn't come up to operating temp long enough to evaporate moisture from combustion blow-by, and thus not evacuated from the crankcase by the PCV system. Install a new PCV valve also, as your is most likely non functional as well.

PFB

As Lexus2000 said, that's the only logical thing to do at this point. Shouldn't take more than 30-45 min maximum. You'll than know for sure if you have a sludge issue.

If you're looking at saving money, than you may even reuse your old valve cover gasket, although its better to change it.

Phil

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

lots of advice, but it depends on your skill level.

Sometimes shops will mis-diagnose, or simply trying to hose you with an overly expensive solution where they can do a couple of small things instead but charge for more.

It depends on you, there's lots of these cars in pick-n-pull yards, and motors all over ebay [as it was super common for many makes/models of the era] for well under 1000$...

moonphase

The front valve cover isn't too hard to remove and replace, but the rear requires the removal of the intake manifold. When the valve covers are replaced, sealant is applied in specific locations to avoid leaks. Don't omit the sealant!!

CaliTRDSC

you can run a engine cleaner before you dumped the oil. then change it out. if you got the money change oil then add cleaner then oil change again. all up to you. seaform might do the trick. how bad is it?

mitmaks

Install oil pressure tester and see how much oil psi you're getting.

johncoby

OK. An update. I havent tried to do the oil flush because the oil drain plug requires a hex wrench in a size that I do not have. But..............while I was lowering the car I realized that the valve covers had been off this car just 2 months ago and it was very clean. My brother replaced the gaskets and he said he thought it was very clean and was surprised that someone was saying it was a sludge problem.

So...it goes back to a trusted mechanic tomorrow for a diagnosis.

msekanha

Hex plug? I think you're mistaking the transmission plug from the oil plugg.

The oil plug should be a 15mm socket.

run some marvels mystery oil in your crankcase for about 50 miles and change the oil.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like the original shop assumed that it's a sludge problem, due to the infamous news articles about the 1MZFE. I'm not good with oil warning lights, so I'm not sure what it means.

mdbrown

Before you do much of anything else, get the oil pressure checked (or do it yourself) so you know whether or not oil pressure is even a problem.

yeskay

contact lexus care with the vin number and validate if this is part of sludge recall.