Oh…Sludge!

I called my mechanic this morning to explain why my car was in his parking lot, and I told him what happened to it yesterday. He said with a very somber tone that he has had to replace some engines due to an oil sludge problem.

Replace engine…big money…car worth about $5,000…new car or replace engine…we just paid off the car…using money from old car payment for health insurance…we can’t take on a car payment right now and pay more towards debt…if the repair is costly it would have to go on a credit card…

All of that went through my mind in lightning speed even before he started the next sentence. He said he’d take a look at it and let me know how it looks.

I did a little bit of research, and yes, there has been some problems with some engines and oil sludge. If that is the problem, the only solution is to replace the engine.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is just the oil pump. Some of you have commented that you think that might be the culprit and it sort of makes sense to my non-mechanical mind. But the more I read about the sludge problem (also called oil gel), the more I’m starting to wonder.

In a few days I should hear the verdict.

Posted by Tricia on December 11, 2006 at 9:53 PM in Life Experiences | 16 Comments »
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Mandy responded:
Posted: December 11th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
I had a similar situation with my car (a Honda) where I took it in for what I thought was a minor issue and it has turned out to be over $1200 worth of ‘issue’ with two parts needing replacement and two day off the road. So not within the budget around Christmas time!

Good luck with yours and remember, you have to stay safe on the roads so this is probably a ‘have to’ expense!
libertas responded:
Posted: December 11th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
Faced with a consumer revolt over low mileage engine failures caused by oil sludge buildup, Toyota has begun to notify 3.3 million owners of 1997-2002 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with 3.0-liter IMZ V-6 engines and all 1997-2001 Toyota vehicles with 5SFE 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engines that it will cover the cost of sludge-related repairs for eight years from date of initial sale.

Whether this will satisfy the thousands of Toyota and Lexus owners who have already suffered engine failure remains to be seen because Toyota’s Special Policy falls short of an express warranty. Toyota modified V-6 engines made after July 2001 but has not recalled the earlier engines. The 2.2L 4-cylinder has been dropped.

http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=&did=566
lorraine responded:
Posted: December 11th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Oh no! I’m sure it will be fine. We’re on our 4th Toyota (3 Tercels and a Corolla). I drove our first one (at the time 10 years old) for 2 years without an oil change. Their hardy vehicles. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Jason responded:
Posted: December 11th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
I hope that’s not the case! We’ll be thinking about you.

http://debtfighters.blogspot.com
Ginger DItmore responded:
Posted: December 11th, 2006 at 11:55 pm
I hope that it turns out to be something else but look on the bright side at least you have a credit card you can use I know thats not the answer but what a bad feeling if this happen and you had no money in the bank and not credit card with any money left on it.That is where I am at as far as paying my depts off. I will keep you in my prayers.
Tricia responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 7:56 am
Mandy – you’re right. It boils down to safety on the road. We were really fortunate that we broke down when we did. If it was just a week before, the temps were in the single digits and with the windchill it was below zero. Instead, we had sunny, 40+ degree weather.

libertas – thanks for the link! My car is a 4-cylinder and unfortunately I haven’t found much on Echos and the oil sludge. It seems to be affecting other models.

lorraine – this was our first Toyota and we bought it mostly for the quality. We haven’t spent much in terms of repairs so far so it has been a decent car. I’m not sure what make of car we’d get next.

Jason – thanks!

Ginger – I should have added that fact to the “good” list. If this happened a year ago, we wouldn’t of had the money for repairs over $500. We were almost maxed out with the credit cards and had no savings. I wish you all the best with paying off your debt!
Kim L. responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 8:23 am
Tricia – I had to replace my engine once and I fortunatly got my insurance company to cover it. I happened to have Mechanical Breakdown insurance (Geico) on it and as long as I could prove I got regular oil changes, they covered it (minus the deductible). It might be worth a phone call if that’s the case. Also, if they don’t cover it and you do need a new engine, I would ask about a refurbished one versus a new one. That’s what my insurance company ended up using and we never had any problems with it. I hope that it’s not the engine, but if it is maybe you will be able to still save some money on it. Good luck!
Karen responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 10:46 am
You have my sympathies. I just went through a similar experience. My car was making a tinging engine noise that I had a baaaaaad feeling about. It needed a new engine. With 110,000 and an intermittent electrical problem from day one that no one could seem to permanently fix, I was not going to put that kind of money into it. I decided to drive it until it died. Which it did, in less than a month. I had not even thought about what kind of car to buy…..but buy one I did. I was in no position to make car payments (I had paid mine off 1 1/2 years prior) but you do what you gotta do. I must drive 12 miles to catch the bus for work so I need a reliable vehicle. Some times it seems like we take 2 steps forward and one back. Good luck to you!
Leigh Ann responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 10:48 am
I know what you mean. I hate cars. They always do things like this. But if you have to change an engine, it probably isn’ worth it.

But like my mom alwasys told me, if it cost more to buy a new one than to fix an old one………just fix it.

Good luck
Matt responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 10:57 am
Here’s hoping it’s something like the oil pump. Cars can become unbelievably expensive when the wrong thing breaks.

Good Luck!!!
Jen responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Ouch… I do hope it really is just a part, and not the whole engine!

If you do have to replace the engine, I wonder if you could instead sell the car to a junkyard, and then buy a used car? Just trying to think of ways to save money if the worst case scenario happens.
3 things about money responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
Wow– be safe. If it were me I would be very tempted to sell it and buy a used car. I don’t what the mileage is, but if it is high, other things are poised to break. Nothing is worse than having a car with a brand new engine and then, the transmission goes. Anyway, Toyota’s are such great cars, my hope is that it is nothing. Good luck.
SCapitalist responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
I hate cars, and this is why. Just when you have things in order, here comes the mechanic…. I really hope for the best for you. This can be SO frustrating!
Lisa responded:
Posted: December 12th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
There is nothing worse than being held captive by your car. Hope it is minor!
North Carolina - Driver responded:
Posted: January 13th, 2007 at 12:47 am
I was driving my 2000 ES300 down the interstate two days ago, and my car completely stopped running.
I took to the dealership, and they asked for my oil change records from the past 2 years. I didn’t have a couple of them, and had to ask my mechanic to print up my old receipts for me.

As it turns out, the motor was sludged up, and Lexus has said that “They would help me out”.

It has to do with the oil gel settlement. http://www.oilgelsettlement.com
Since I found records of oil changes, they will fully replace the motor.
Tricia responded:
Posted: January 13th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Thanks North Carolina for the information. In my case, I haven’t been very timely with the oil changes so I couldn’t provide the necessary paperwork. That great that you were able to get help.

Thankfully, the oil sludge wasn’t a problem in my case, but in light of this experience I will be getting the oil changed regularly