Oil Sludge/Gel
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
From: Outside the loop
Oil Sludge/Gel
My 1995 V6 LE project faces a big test next week when I remove the valve covers and see just how bad of a oil sludge/gel problem I have.
I found some buildup on the underside of the oil cap and the VC gaskets have been leaking for some time... these are the only symptoms.
After much research I decided to add Sea Foam a few days ago in hopes that it cleans the internal up enough so that I'm not forced to do it the hard way.
If the top end looks good, I will drop the oil pan, clean what I can reach and repeat the process as needed before switching over to synthetic.
I'll take a few pictures of the process.
I found some buildup on the underside of the oil cap and the VC gaskets have been leaking for some time... these are the only symptoms.
After much research I decided to add Sea Foam a few days ago in hopes that it cleans the internal up enough so that I'm not forced to do it the hard way.
If the top end looks good, I will drop the oil pan, clean what I can reach and repeat the process as needed before switching over to synthetic.
I'll take a few pictures of the process.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,179
From: PTW
Suggest checking under the valve cover first before adding more chemicals. Depending on the amount of sludge the removal job can be very difficult. Chemicals may break the sludge loose to plug up the oil system up.
The sludge itself over time has been know to plug up oil passages or screen and cause the engine to be oil starved.
The sludge itself over time has been know to plug up oil passages or screen and cause the engine to be oil starved.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
From: Outside the loop
Thank you and I am aware of the possibility of oil starvation.
I spoke with my tech and have seen pictures & read about
how difficult the cleaning can be... that's some nasty stuff.
Also, I have another vehicle that is covered under the Louisiana settlement - how does one approach the dealer about this?
.
I spoke with my tech and have seen pictures & read about
how difficult the cleaning can be... that's some nasty stuff.
Also, I have another vehicle that is covered under the Louisiana settlement - how does one approach the dealer about this?
.
Last edited by Rex Kramer; Jan 15, 2012 at 02:55 AM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,179
From: PTW
My understanding is the class action lawsuit was limited to 8 years and your year was covered under the settlement 97-02 years only.
See link below:
Toyota Agrees to Sludge Settlement for Consumers
Suggest removing the front valve cover which should be easy and check for sludge.
See link below:
Toyota Agrees to Sludge Settlement for Consumers
Suggest removing the front valve cover which should be easy and check for sludge.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
From: Outside the loop
I will pull the front valve cover Tuesday and hope for the best, but I'm planning for the worse.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
From: Outside the loop
Great news!
No gel, very little 'sludge' and plenty of varnish is all I found when the front valve cover was removed.
I also detected a small oil leak from the rear main seal, but I'll just monitor that for now.
Does BG or any other company make a product that will slow down a rear main seal leak?
Thanks!
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