quote:
Originally posted by slider:
Alan: Again, you're right that oil is a factor, but it's not the primary problem. I seriously doubt Toyota would have redesigned or revised coolant flow in the heads or redone the CCV system if the problem was traceable to oil only. [/QB][/QUOTE]
I'm not saying you're wrong, but where's the objective evidence that coolant passages were ever changed, one way or the other? I've seen lots of speculation about that, based upon the comments of an media/newspaper mechanic but no hard evidence.
The things that were changed as far as I can tell was the holes in the baffle in the valve cover were made larger so the engine can breath better if there is sludge buildup. And the latest 3.3L version has an extra 1/2 qt. for the sump capacity.
For the record, on my 98, I've never even had a hint of the PCV valve plugging up (yes, I inspect it regularly) and I do 10K changes with Redline 5W-30 with no apparent sludge whatsoever under the valve cover. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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With an oil this resistant to oxidation (the POE based RL), you're very unlikely to have a problem.
I've discussed this issue a couple of times with the service people, and management, at my local dealer. I used to have an '01 Highlander, which had a sludge prone V-6. This is when I first became concerned. I jettisoned this vehicle after a years and a half when I'd already logged 25k miles on a 3yr/36k lease. A year later, I was buying again (after my first Camry died in a wreck), and wanting a V-6, I dug into the sludge thing hard. The dealership svc manager briefed me on the changes, which he indicated included the cooling passages. In retrospect, I wasn't too critical of the info, since the end of the declared "window" coincided with the mods to the engine, whatever they were. Also, this is a truly first-class dealer that doesn't play games with customers. In short, I trust 'em.
My real point, though, was that Toyota's
changing the engine was an admission that the engine itself did have a problem. I suppose it's possible they were blowing smoke at me, but I tend not to think so. Not only am I a repeat customer (who they have targeted for future sales...), but a relative of mine is in dealership management too. I'm not exactly a "store groupie" but they know me down there. Anyway, even if all they did was modify the CC breathing, that still indicates that there was a problem with this design.
[ May 19, 2004, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: ekpolk ]