Few questions from a noob.
- Thread starter Heisenberg
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Your PVC valve would be the biggest suspect regarding sludge. Either change the valve or have your mechanic do it and ask about the condition of the old valve. Tell them about your concerns on sludge. 89k is a pretty low mileage engine today, if I owned this car, I would put Pennzoil Platinum (PP) 5w20 oil in it, your Avalon was back spec'd to lighter oils. Here is that link:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/official-toyota-oil-recommendation-chart.146907/
Using a Purolator PureONE filter would also help. I have the same engine in my '03 Sienna. 2003 is not listed as a sludge year, but I am extra careful with that PVC valve, I will change it every three years.
That car will do along time with basic maintenance. I have a friend with 250+k on his '99.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/official-toyota-oil-recommendation-chart.146907/
Using a Purolator PureONE filter would also help. I have the same engine in my '03 Sienna. 2003 is not listed as a sludge year, but I am extra careful with that PVC valve, I will change it every three years.
That car will do along time with basic maintenance. I have a friend with 250+k on his '99.
I would also agree with the PCV valve comments, I clean mine every oil change and put in a new one "now and then", probably once every year or so. It's cheap to do and they can get clogged up very quickly.
42 and now 43 replies in less than 11 hours. I wonder how much can he/she absorb?
Originally Posted By: cancov
42 and now 43 replies in less than 11 hours. I wonder how much can he/she absorb?
If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with...
42 and now 43 replies in less than 11 hours. I wonder how much can he/she absorb?
If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with...
LOL. Yeah, there is a wealth of information here. Thanks guys. I'm gonna order a PCV valve I guess. I can change that, right? You just pop it into a hose or something? And I do have to buy it from a dealer or anywhere of OEM quality? I see a lot of places selling them claiming they are OEM. Anybody recommend a good site to order parts from?
For example, this place:
http://www.trademotion.com/parts/index.c...hicleid=1357466
or here:
http://www.partswebsite.com/pagetoyota/i...;searchall=test
And I'm torn about what to put in the engine now. Kreen, MMO, Amsoil flush, seafoam...which is best and easiest for a guy who isn't sure he has sludge? Isn't Seafoam kind of drastic?
I think I'm gonna go with Pennzoil Platinum for oil change.
btw, the Lexus I had was a 2001 ES 300 with about 150,000 miles on it. I'm not sure exactly how it died but it needed a new engine. 2 different mechanics said that. He said the camshaft wouldn't move in it. I'm assuming it was sludge, not sure.
For example, this place:
http://www.trademotion.com/parts/index.c...hicleid=1357466
or here:
http://www.partswebsite.com/pagetoyota/i...;searchall=test
And I'm torn about what to put in the engine now. Kreen, MMO, Amsoil flush, seafoam...which is best and easiest for a guy who isn't sure he has sludge? Isn't Seafoam kind of drastic?
I think I'm gonna go with Pennzoil Platinum for oil change.
btw, the Lexus I had was a 2001 ES 300 with about 150,000 miles on it. I'm not sure exactly how it died but it needed a new engine. 2 different mechanics said that. He said the camshaft wouldn't move in it. I'm assuming it was sludge, not sure.
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You do not want to loosen the sludge too quick or it might plug the filter, which will go into bypass, and a sludge plug might starve a bearing. Do this all gradually over say, 10,000 miles.
Marvel Mystery Oil is good too. I run a little in my Avalon.
Marvel Mystery Oil is good too. I run a little in my Avalon.
Originally Posted By: Heisenberg
.... btw, the Lexus I had was a 2001 ES 300 with about 150,000 miles on it. I'm not sure exactly how it died but it needed a new engine. 2 different mechanics said that. He said the camshaft wouldn't move in it. I'm assuming it was sludge, not sure.
Likely was, as the 01 ES 300 is another model on the list. Not that it matters now but, hope the folks that sold the Lexus aren't the same that sold the Avalon.
Some good ideas on this thread for you to start with anyway.
.... btw, the Lexus I had was a 2001 ES 300 with about 150,000 miles on it. I'm not sure exactly how it died but it needed a new engine. 2 different mechanics said that. He said the camshaft wouldn't move in it. I'm assuming it was sludge, not sure.
Likely was, as the 01 ES 300 is another model on the list. Not that it matters now but, hope the folks that sold the Lexus aren't the same that sold the Avalon.
Some good ideas on this thread for you to start with anyway.
I liked the suggestion of taking the car to a trustworthy mechanic and having him pull the valve cover. Once you know what the inside of the engine looks like, you can decide if an engine flushing solvent is necessary. I mostly don't trust them, and prefer gradual cleaning with an oil like Mobil 1 High Mileage, Pennzoil Platinum, or Pennzoil Ultra.
I think you should start changing your own oil. It gives you a chance to look at its mechanicals and possibly head off other things that may be about to go wrong.
I think you should start changing your own oil. It gives you a chance to look at its mechanicals and possibly head off other things that may be about to go wrong.
This, this, this.
Unless you know you have sludge I wouldn't dump anything in your engine except a quality synthetic motor oil on a decent OCI. And even if you have a little then I'd do the same. But unless you look under that cover you're never going to know one way or another, there's no telltale sign unless the thing is clogged with sludge. Then (so it is said) you get excessive consumption and white smoke from the tailpipe.
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
I liked the suggestion of taking the car to a trustworthy mechanic and having him pull the valve cover. Once you know what the inside of the engine looks like, you can decide if an engine flushing solvent is necessary. I mostly don't trust them, and prefer gradual cleaning with an oil like Mobil 1 High Mileage, Pennzoil Platinum, or Pennzoil Ultra.
I think you should start changing your own oil. It gives you a chance to look at its mechanicals and possibly head off other things that may be about to go wrong.
Unless you know you have sludge I wouldn't dump anything in your engine except a quality synthetic motor oil on a decent OCI. And even if you have a little then I'd do the same. But unless you look under that cover you're never going to know one way or another, there's no telltale sign unless the thing is clogged with sludge. Then (so it is said) you get excessive consumption and white smoke from the tailpipe.
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
I liked the suggestion of taking the car to a trustworthy mechanic and having him pull the valve cover. Once you know what the inside of the engine looks like, you can decide if an engine flushing solvent is necessary. I mostly don't trust them, and prefer gradual cleaning with an oil like Mobil 1 High Mileage, Pennzoil Platinum, or Pennzoil Ultra.
I think you should start changing your own oil. It gives you a chance to look at its mechanicals and possibly head off other things that may be about to go wrong.
Originally Posted By: Heisenberg
LOL. Yeah, there is a wealth of information here. Thanks guys. I'm gonna order a PCV valve I guess. I can change that, right? You just pop it into a hose or something? And I do have to buy it from a dealer or anywhere of OEM quality? I see a lot of places selling them claiming they are OEM. Anybody recommend a good site to order parts from?
Get the PCV valve from a Toyota dealer. It is difficult to change on my van because of the location - not sure about your car.
If you are not experienced at this type of work there is nothing wrong with having the oil filter and PCV changed at a dealer or some other shop. It is more important to have it changed frequently than who does the work.
LOL. Yeah, there is a wealth of information here. Thanks guys. I'm gonna order a PCV valve I guess. I can change that, right? You just pop it into a hose or something? And I do have to buy it from a dealer or anywhere of OEM quality? I see a lot of places selling them claiming they are OEM. Anybody recommend a good site to order parts from?
Get the PCV valve from a Toyota dealer. It is difficult to change on my van because of the location - not sure about your car.
If you are not experienced at this type of work there is nothing wrong with having the oil filter and PCV changed at a dealer or some other shop. It is more important to have it changed frequently than who does the work.
Originally Posted By: Heisenberg
btw, the Lexus I had was a 2001 ES 300 with about 150,000 miles on it. I'm not sure exactly how it died but it needed a new engine. 2 different mechanics said that. He said the camshaft wouldn't move in it. I'm assuming it was sludge, not sure.
If your mech said that the cam(s) weren't turning, that's not an indication of a sludge issue (not saying it was not sludged). It is more likely a broken timing belt and bent valves that come along with it. If your new car has the V6, then this is something you need to investigate... Soon. Otherwise you could be in the same boat as you were with the Lexus.
Like I said before, there's no indication there is a problem, so why start dumping various chemicals in there unless you know for sure?
btw, the Lexus I had was a 2001 ES 300 with about 150,000 miles on it. I'm not sure exactly how it died but it needed a new engine. 2 different mechanics said that. He said the camshaft wouldn't move in it. I'm assuming it was sludge, not sure.
If your mech said that the cam(s) weren't turning, that's not an indication of a sludge issue (not saying it was not sludged). It is more likely a broken timing belt and bent valves that come along with it. If your new car has the V6, then this is something you need to investigate... Soon. Otherwise you could be in the same boat as you were with the Lexus.
Like I said before, there's no indication there is a problem, so why start dumping various chemicals in there unless you know for sure?
Originally Posted By: mva
Get the PCV valve from a Toyota dealer. It is difficult to change on my van because of the location - not sure about your car.
It should be same as on Camry. On the left side as you look at the engine, close to firewall. Just unplug it from valve cover and hose, and put new one in.Plenty of space there to reach.
Get the PCV valve from a Toyota dealer. It is difficult to change on my van because of the location - not sure about your car.
It should be same as on Camry. On the left side as you look at the engine, close to firewall. Just unplug it from valve cover and hose, and put new one in.Plenty of space there to reach.
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