engine sludge
depends on how bad.....I know that I had it pretty bad on mine, I suggest pulling the valve covers and try to clean some of it out. Then buy 3 bottles of Auto-RX and perform the sludge application. I have used seafoam, gunk engine flush, and I drove on this stuff, and you shouldn't, but after a few miles even on new oil, it was jet black. I've done this over 6 times, now I'm using Auto-RX, which so far it is working amazing!
Driver
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
depends on how bad.....I know that I had it pretty bad on mine, I suggest pulling the valve covers and try to clean some of it out. Then buy 3 bottles of Auto-RX and perform the sludge application. I have used seafoam, gunk engine flush, and I drove on this stuff, and you shouldn't, but after a few miles even on new oil, it was jet black. I've done this over 6 times, now I'm using Auto-RX, which so far it is working amazing!
I do use seafoam regularly, for a flush I pour the entire can in the oil. I was so pissed off on how much sludge was in there I drive it for 300 miles like that. I would say that after 25 miles, on clean oil, it was already black. I put a whole can in the gas, it was like running premium gas, instead of regular. But the product I am really impressed with is Startron Starbrite. I bought it at walmart one day, supposed to increase your gas mileage. It did. I follow the instructions on the bottle. The first tank the gas mileage was horrible. After that, it was at least an extra 2mpg. But, In my RX i also get a 1.5mpg jump if I use 93 in my tank instead of 87. My dad in New York uses it in his Nissan Murano, he says its like running summer mix gas all year round.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
I do use seafoam regularly, for a flush I pour the entire can in the oil. I was so pissed off on how much sludge was in there I drive it for 300 miles like that. I would say that after 25 miles, on clean oil, it was already black. I put a whole can in the gas, it was like running premium gas, instead of regular. But the product I am really impressed with is Startron Starbrite. I bought it at walmart one day, supposed to increase your gas mileage. It did. I follow the instructions on the bottle. The first tank the gas mileage was horrible. After that, it was at least an extra 2mpg. But, In my RX i also get a 1.5mpg jump if I use 93 in my tank instead of 87. My dad in New York uses it in his Nissan Murano, he says its like running summer mix gas all year round.
There's some cleaners out there that function like that on the first go round, Amsoil is another one, that it might be bad at first (because of the strong cleaning action dislodging everything (we want that)), but come the next tank of gas it's nice and smooth. It seems to be Redline's cleaner works in a slightly slower pace over the course of the tank of gas (that's my favorite for that reason).
Driver
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
I do use seafoam regularly, for a flush I pour the entire can in the oil. I was so pissed off on how much sludge was in there I drive it for 300 miles like that. I would say that after 25 miles, on clean oil, it was already black. I put a whole can in the gas, it was like running premium gas, instead of regular. But the product I am really impressed with is Startron Starbrite. I bought it at walmart one day, supposed to increase your gas mileage. It did. I follow the instructions on the bottle. The first tank the gas mileage was horrible. After that, it was at least an extra 2mpg. But, In my RX i also get a 1.5mpg jump if I use 93 in my tank instead of 87. My dad in New York uses it in his Nissan Murano, he says its like running summer mix gas all year round.
I've pulled the front valve cover off, and yea there was sludge!!! I cleaned up as much as I could. Never got to the back but would assume it the same way or worse. I would send off my oil for analysis, but don't know how to do it. That's something I never did before. How do I correctly package it and ship it, and where and how do I contact this place that I send my oil to?
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
I've pulled the front valve cover off, and yea there was sludge!!! I cleaned up as much as I could. Never got to the back but would assume it the same way or worse. I would send off my oil for analysis, but don't know how to do it. That's something I never did before. How do I correctly package it and ship it, and where and how do I contact this place that I send my oil to?
Cost is $22.50 for the test.
BTW, what oil were you using when this happened?
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Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: GA
how long have you had it? Do you have all service records? Was oil changed per the recommended intervals? If you have, and have a full service history, talk to your Service Advisor at the dealer. You might get your engine replaced. They did my 99 RX a few years ago since I had full records of every service done at proper intervals. If not, I will swear by Seafoam. Just make sure you do it properly. Search for threads on it in CL and you will see major improvement.
I use it regularly on my 93 ES and it runs smooth as silk and no sludge issues.
Good Luck!
I use it regularly on my 93 ES and it runs smooth as silk and no sludge issues.
Good Luck!
Driver
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
I've pulled the front valve cover off, and yea there was sludge!!! I cleaned up as much as I could. Never got to the back but would assume it the same way or worse. I would send off my oil for analysis, but don't know how to do it. That's something I never did before. How do I correctly package it and ship it, and where and how do I contact this place that I send my oil to?
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php
Cost is $22.50 for the test.
BTW, what oil were you using when this happened?
Cost is $22.50 for the test.
BTW, what oil were you using when this happened?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: hawaii
We bought our rx from a dealer with 127K. Original owner service records ended @ 60K. Dealer did an oil change with krex product along with K-1 graphite engine lubricant. Checked the oil an noticed a burnt mark about half way up the stick. I'm wondering if prior owner had sludge issues. Is there any way to find out?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
The point at which I pulled the valve cover, I just changed the oil for the first time since I bought the car. The changed it before I got it. I waited 2,000 miles, then changed it to mobile 1 syn. On what I saw under the valve cover, I am assuming that the previous owner use dino. Funny thing how now I am running dino again for my first auto-rx treatment, the engine runs smoother and its a lot quieter than when I ran the synthetic oil?