http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...702070349/1148

 

This dates back further than 2001. I first read about it in 1998. Then, it affected the V6 Toyota engines 3.0 and later 3.3's and 3.5's.

Toyota first blamed it on owners not changing their oil within guidelines. But upon investigation, it was determined that among the issues, the oil return holes in the block are too small, and easily get clogged up.

Toyota isn't infallible.

But who is..is the news media and mags like Consumer Reports...where there's never been a mention of this problem. With CR..bashing American products is the norm. To them, it seems the Japanese can do no wrong.

 

This would put a huge dent in Toyota's armour. It will be interesting to see if Toyota has to payout the fallout and if it will set a pressident ( sp? ) for other manufacturers that have a proven problem that effect a vast amount of it's customers.

As Number stated it might actually make some of the "pro" Japanese publications do some real reporting.

 

Really??? It's old news, doesn't look like it's hurt them yet.

 

They haven't settled yet so who knows how much it is going to cost them.

 

Automotive News had an update last year. It seems Toyota...(under the table), has settled some claims, and extended the warranty on the affected engines. However, the powertrain warranty announced for all Toyotas remains at 5/60.

Without decent reporting on the part of our left leaning news media, I doubt Toyota will be affected. You can bet 95% of all Toyota V6 owners are clueless to the problem.

My wife leases. Her last car was a 2003 Sienna with the 3.3 V6. We never heard word one about any recall/campaign...nothing.

 

My son-in-law had the sludge problem that ruined his engine on his Avalon and Toyota wouldn't do anything because it has 140,000 miles on it (changed oil every 3,000 miles and they were almost all interstate miles). He replaced the engine with a used one with 100,000 on it and he now hs just under 250,000 miles on the car. Even with the engine failure, he plans on buying another if this one ever quits.

 

The 3.3 wasn't affected by the sludge issues. Toyota has given an 8-year extended warranty against sludge on the 1997-2002 engines which are sludge prone.

 

Didn't know that...but we were still lucky because her previous car was a '99 Avalon XL. After the Avalon and Sienna, which a co-worker of hers called a mommymobile (pi$$ing her off..saying to me..."why didn't you tell me?"), she wanted something sportier...and now has a Nissan Murano.

 

You see, this is the difference in mentality between Toyota and domestic buyers. It is not based on logic, nor is based in any way on facts. It's "Toyota can do no wrong, and domestics are junk." Even when faced with first hand experience to the contrary, they will not change their minds. This is why Ford / GM are hurting, not because they're inferior, or foreign brands are soooo much better.

It's because a lie, told often enough, begins to be believed by a large percentage of the population.... If you need some explanation for that, I'd be more than happy....

 

I know at least 3 people that would be happy as hell if their Ford engines (Mustang, F-350 and Excursion) would have lasted 140,000 miles.

 

The really amazing part is how any of these companies with many decades of experience under their belts can make such idiotic engineering mistakes, and yet, you see it over and over again with all of them.

 

I'm in no way defending Toy.......but this sludge thing was not a 100% automatic given. Not EVERY motor devoloped this malady. Just like NOT EVERY Ford Explorer rolled over or EVERY cruise control switch/connection catches on fire.

In fact, the way that most FTE members service their vehicles, I find it highly unlikely that a motor could possibly be affected if oil was changed at 3,000 mile intervals....nearly impossible in fact.

 

Could it be that you know at least 3 people who don't maintain their vehicles properly? I'm sure there are a few exceptions, but most ANY Ford engine will run at least 200,000 miles if properly maintained.

 

hohuf, please don't feed the trolls.