1997 Toyota Avalon Valvetrain Pics

[mrcoolguy]

Here are some pics of my brothers 1997 Toyota Avalon 1MZFE ( sludger engine) with 115k miles. The car has had three 5k oci's of M1 followed by 1 5k oci of PU! I took these pics while doing a valve cover gasket/timing belt job! Let me know what you think

 

[ARB1977]

Nice.

 

[hattaresguy]

Can't ask for much better than that.

 

[LeakySeals]

If you look at the picture close, you can see Toyota has plenty of porous surfaces that lend them selves to a "stain" vs actual varnish. Looks good.

 

[chubbs1]

That is absolutely beautiful!! Can't ask for better at 115k. Thanks for the pics!

 

[Artem]

With only 115k miles in 15 years, I'd expect it to be clean. It's been barely used!

Nice engine regardless. I'd dump come Kreen in there to "polish" things up a bit and keep it clean if it was me.

 

[NHGUY]

I bet the pistons are cleaner with PU as opposed to M1........

 

[Oregoonian]

But why 5K OCI's on M1 and PU. Seems to me like an awful waste of $$$ and good quality oil.

Try 7.5K....and do a used oil analysis. I'm sure both those oils are capable of longer OCI's.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
I bet the pistons are cleaner with PU as opposed to M1........


Without a doubt!

 

[Turk]

Your Radiator Hose is pinched...

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: mrcoolguy
ese pics while doing a valve cover gasket/timing belt job! Let me know what you think



My thoughts are that I can see why this engine is a "sludger". It looks great, but it's pretty obvious that the side opposite the timing chain is seeing much hotter oil temps than the other side. What's the deal with those engines, anyway--and what is causing that to happen?

Anyway, considering how then engine looks on quality synthetics @ 5K, 10K on conventional and I wouldn't be surprised that some issues could creep up.

No offense intended to anyone, but considering how this engine looks, I think you'd have to be insane to dump harsh cleaning chemicals in there. I see zero benefit, and those solvents aren't without risk.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher
Your Radiator Hose is pinched...



because he pushed it outta the way. It normally goes on top of the valve cover and gets in the way if you're removing the VC.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: mrcoolguy
ese pics while doing a valve cover gasket/timing belt job! Let me know what you think



My thoughts are that I can see why this engine is a "sludger". It looks great, but it's pretty obvious that the side opposite the timing chain is seeing much hotter oil temps than the other side. What's the deal with those engines, anyway--and what is causing that to happen?

Anyway, considering how then engine looks on quality synthetics @ 5K, 10K on conventional and I wouldn't be surprised that some issues could creep up.

No offense intended to anyone, but considering how this engine looks, I think you'd have to be insane to dump harsh cleaning chemicals in there. I see zero benefit, and those solvents aren't without risk.


I meant just a splash of cleaner to remove some of the "harmless for now" varnish.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: Artem

I meant just a splash of cleaner to remove some of the "harmless for now" varnish.


Gotcha. I'd certainly wipe it down with something before putting it all back together!

As good as the top half looks and knowing the sludge issues are because of high oil temps @ the top half of the engine, I'd have to think you could eat dinner off of the bottom half of the engine.

 

[IntegraVT]

That looks great! I hope ours looks as good when the times comes to replace the valve cover gasket.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: Artem

I meant just a splash of cleaner to remove some of the "harmless for now" varnish.


Gotcha. I'd certainly wipe it down with something before putting it all back together!

As good as the top half looks and knowing the sludge issues are because of high oil temps @ the top half of the engine, I'd have to think you could eat dinner off of the bottom half of the engine.


I'll be removing the oil pan from my 98 Camry (same engine) to inspect the insides. We'll see how it looks compared to the top half of my engine.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
But why 5K OCI's on M1 and PU. Seems to me like an awful waste of $$$ and good quality oil.

Try 7.5K....and do a used oil analysis. I'm sure both those oils are capable of longer OCI's.


The pictures answer why. And your suggesting to wreck it upping his interval. Sabotage!

 

[Artem]

Compare this corner from my Camry to the OPs VC. This is the result of a little A-RX cleaning. Now just imagine what a bit of Kreen could accomplish!

I'm personally looking forward to inspecting my valvetrain again after the second run of A-RX and putting in the Kreen that arrived at my door step last week. Hopefully the block will finally be cleaned...

 

[Slacker]

I like those pics of the valve cover where the cam lobes have slung the M1 and PU on it, cleaning streaks in it.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: Artem
With only 115k miles in 15 years, I'd expect it to be clean. It's been barely used!

Nice engine regardless. I'd dump come Kreen in there to "polish" things up a bit and keep it clean if it was me.


As clean as that engine is, you would still dump a chemical in there for no apparent reason?