2001 RX Sludge Problem
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2001 RX Sludge Problem
My wife has an '01 RX with 34,000 miles that has been maintained religiously. Recently, I noticed blue exaust smoke periodically when she'd start the vehicle, and oil consumption ahs increased somewhat. Today I had in in the shop for a noisy drive belt, and I asked them to check on the oil/smoke concerns. I just received a call from the dealership that the engine WILL be replaced due to an internal sludge problem. Good for us, but bad for some owners who maintain regularly and don't see this coming.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Washington
i'm sorry to hear that! 
good thing they're going to replace it for ya! 
good thing they're going to replace it for ya!
Originally Posted by dmodem
My wife has an '01 RX with 34,000 miles that has been maintained religiously. Recently, I noticed blue exaust smoke periodically when she'd start the vehicle, and oil consumption ahs increased somewhat. Today I had in in the shop for a noisy drive belt, and I asked them to check on the oil/smoke concerns. I just received a call from the dealership that the engine WILL be replaced due to an internal sludge problem. Good for us, but bad for some owners who maintain regularly and don't see this coming.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by dmodem
My wife has an '01 RX with 34,000 miles that has been maintained religiously. Recently, I noticed blue exaust smoke periodically when she'd start the vehicle, and oil consumption ahs increased somewhat. Today I had in in the shop for a noisy drive belt, and I asked them to check on the oil/smoke concerns. I just received a call from the dealership that the engine WILL be replaced due to an internal sludge problem. Good for us, but bad for some owners who maintain regularly and don't see this coming.
I hope I don't have that experence.dmodem, did you use conventional oil or synthetic?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by dmodem
My wife has an '01 RX with 34,000 miles that has been maintained religiously. Recently, I noticed blue exaust smoke periodically when she'd start the vehicle, and oil consumption ahs increased somewhat. Today I had in in the shop for a noisy drive belt, and I asked them to check on the oil/smoke concerns. I just received a call from the dealership that the engine WILL be replaced due to an internal sludge problem. Good for us, but bad for some owners who maintain regularly and don't see this coming.
Please update us on how long it took to replace.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Well, that is kind of bad news but good news on Toyotas part. They did not have to issue any re-call for this since but wanted to keep owners satisfied.
Please update us on how long it took to replace.
Please update us on how long it took to replace.
Weird.
Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Well, that is kind of bad news but good news on Toyotas part. They did not have to issue any re-call for this since but wanted to keep owners satisfied.
Please update us on how long it took to replace.
Please update us on how long it took to replace.
Trending Topics
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by mmahamm
Yeah, if it were a Chrysler, it would be called a "serious defect," but since it's a Toyota, it's "Good customer service." Figure that one out.
dmodem, if you think about it when you pick your RX up after the new engine has been installed, coule you ask them what possibiliy exists as to why the engine gelled & failed to begin with with all maintenance done on the vehicle? I'd be very courious as to their answer.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 24
From: New York
same problem with our 02 rx that has 34000 miles on it also. took it in last week to get an oil change and they said same problem, said the system would be cleaned and flushed out in about 20 hours, it took a week! not only that but when we got the car back the overdrive doesn't work anymore ? sending it back again to have it checked, just a pain in the ***.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by dmodem
After I receive the RX back with the new engine, synthetic will be the only oil that I'll use. Hopefully, that may eliminate any future problems....who knows?
or I may be in for a 'suprise' down the road too. 
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
According to CR owner's survey, less than 2% of RX300 owners report engine-related problems. This includes those who don't change oil regularly. So while it's unfortunate that a few get engine gelling issue, rest assure that it is a rare occurrence.
Lexus has offered a generous 8-year/unlimited mile warranty on these engines. So if the engine gelled, you'll get a brand new engine. Not a bad deal. (Just don't break down in wolf country.)
Note that some "synthetic oil" in the market are actually more refined dino oil. The term "synthetic" is being used very loosely nowadays. I could be wrong, but I believe Castrol Syntec and Mobil One are this type of synthetic. I wouldn't pay more for these.
Lexus has offered a generous 8-year/unlimited mile warranty on these engines. So if the engine gelled, you'll get a brand new engine. Not a bad deal. (Just don't break down in wolf country.)
Note that some "synthetic oil" in the market are actually more refined dino oil. The term "synthetic" is being used very loosely nowadays. I could be wrong, but I believe Castrol Syntec and Mobil One are this type of synthetic. I wouldn't pay more for these.
Last edited by HarrierAWD; Jan 14, 2005 at 09:33 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Originally Posted by HarrierAWD
According to CR owner's survey, less than 2% of RX300 owners report engine-related problems. This includes those who don't change oil regularly. So while it's unfortunate that a few get engine gelling issue, rest assure that it is a rare occurrence.
Lexus has offered a generous 8-year/unlimited mile warranty on these engines. So if the engine gelled, you'll get a brand new engine. Not a bad deal. (Just don't break down in wolf country.)
Note that some "synthetic oil" in the market are actually more refined dino oil. The term "synthetic" is being used very loosely nowadays. I could be wrong, but I believe Castrol Syntec and Mobil One are this type of synthetic. I wouldn't pay more for these.
Lexus has offered a generous 8-year/unlimited mile warranty on these engines. So if the engine gelled, you'll get a brand new engine. Not a bad deal. (Just don't break down in wolf country.)
Note that some "synthetic oil" in the market are actually more refined dino oil. The term "synthetic" is being used very loosely nowadays. I could be wrong, but I believe Castrol Syntec and Mobil One are this type of synthetic. I wouldn't pay more for these.
I've heard the Castrol Syntec being something to that effect you mention, but not Mobil 1 synthetic. 
Oh geez, I hope not!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
I could be wrong, but here's what I understand....
Mobil One used to be real synthetic. Then Castrol Syntec came out. It is more refined dino yet claimed to be synthetic. (Not illegal since there's no legal standard on the term "synthetic" for motor oil.)
Mobil cried foul and asked FTC to force Castrol to remove the term synthetic. It didn't go anywhere. So Mobil decided to use refine dino as well, since it's cheaper to make.
Mobil One used to be real synthetic. Then Castrol Syntec came out. It is more refined dino yet claimed to be synthetic. (Not illegal since there's no legal standard on the term "synthetic" for motor oil.)
Mobil cried foul and asked FTC to force Castrol to remove the term synthetic. It didn't go anywhere. So Mobil decided to use refine dino as well, since it's cheaper to make.