Thread: Sludge in Engine

Originally Posted by muldrick

I don't know of ANY car that involves removing wheels to do an oil change.

If by oil change you also imply that the oil filter needs to be changed, then the miata a car who's wheels need to be removed, or the car has to be raised to get to the oil filter. Its in a really tight spot, reachable through the passenger side front wheel.

Toyota has offered 50% off the engine, so I will be out of pocket $5,800 (the original quote was $10000 plus labour). I know have that offer in writing so it's time to go to the next step. On another note I was told by some sources (within the named company) that for them to offer such a discount so quickly is rare and is indicating a fault on their end.
Consumer affairs are behind me and the VACC are doing their engine inspection on Monday.
What annoys me is that they are claiming 5 years ago the service was done late and has caused it to sludge up. If that is so why didn't they check under the valve cover to see if it was sludging because of this in subsequent services? Or at least mention it to us as it's just a waste of money then to have the engine continually serviced because it's going to fail because of this problem regardless.

I know you need the car, but there is no way I would be paying $5800 to get the engine repaired. If they have been servicing it from day one and the services have been done on time except for one 5 years ago and they are blaming it on that, I think they are hoping you will pay the money and go away. If this was a common problem, they should be checking it at the major services.
Has it had any other major work done to the engine that required the removal of the engine cover? If so, why didn't they notice it?
If consumer affairs are behind you, you have a pretty good chance of getting this sorted out. If that doesn't work, a call to any of the high class current affair shows (ie. today tonight) may get Toyota being more helpful.

Yeah I think a few well placed phone calls will really get the issue rolling. I wanted to wait untill I had a written quote of the 50% so at least I have that to fallback on. I'm getting lots of support from friends and family who are willing to meet up and go down to the dealer to make our opinion heard and to warn prospective buyers.
Edit:
It had a 90,000km service not long ago, which was called a "major" service. Paid over $600 for that, whats the point of paying $600 for checking the brakes, lights, tyres if you dont really check the heart of the engine lol

Originally Posted by 0l33l

If by oil change you also imply that the oil filter needs to be changed, then the miata a car who's wheels need to be removed, or the car has to be raised to get to the oil filter. Its in a really tight spot, reachable through the passenger side front wheel.

Oh ok, my mistake. The Miata wheels have to be removed for an oil and filter change. I'll make a note of that.


Fox: really did not mean to offend you (which I obviously did) and I apologize.
But a racist...I am not. I'm actually quite interested in the Scottish as my ancestors are Curries from there. Even if I disliked Scotts, that doesn't make me a racist. (Or am I missing something here)

I will have to say that if you've serviced as instructed (except for the one oil change) I would fight it a little more. Even if they actually suck the oil out, it is them that serviced it, then it is their fault.
Here you would most likely get a free repair (engine) without hassles.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Originally Posted by muldrick

Fox: really did not mean to offend you (which I obviously did) and I apologize.

Offence? Offence from what lol

Originally Posted by muldrick

But a racist...I am not. I'm actually quite interested in the Scottish as my ancestors are Curries from there. Even if I disliked Scotts, that doesn't make me a racist. (Or am I missing something here)

Unless you know all Scotts personally you would be at least generalizing where not appropriate...thin ice...

Originally Posted by JC-S60

Unless you know all Scotts personally you would be at least generalizing where not appropriate...thin ice...

it might just be my thinking, but even if it is a questionable "thin-Ice" comment, why not just let it roll off your back? is his comment killing anyone? i dont think so (at least i hope not...unlike the Muslims and the Swedish cartoons...btw...that was a joke..and i know it was uncalled for)

...anyways...

Fighting on the internet is like racing in the special olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded

and btw JC...this wasnt directed at you, i was just useing your thin ice comment...

I usually go about 5-8k on a change on synthetic, but at about 5 i will pull the dip stick and see how clean or dirty it is and make a decision based on that.

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Even in our lexus manual it tells us to change every 8000 miles. Jiffy Lube and such will tell you 3000. They make that synthetic oil that will supposedly go 15000.

8000 to 10000 miles is about normal in most other countries. They just try to rip you off here. Obviously a cheapo US domestic might need that 3000 mile change though.