Congealed engine Oil

[wazp]

hi,

Background:

I have a Toyota Corolla 2006 model Odo 53Km 5 years old ie bought it new. I missed a service and the car started smoking 10-11 months later when I started the engine first thing in the day. So I checked the oil and found it was sort of congealed. This was like jelly (or congealed blood) as I opened the oil lid. When I took it down to Toyota service they said you missed a service and that is why the oil is congealed. It will cost $4000 to fix it!

Q. with two parts:

A. I have used a lot of different oil brands in my life but never ever seen or heard of congealed oil. So is it true that oil gets congealed in 12 months if you don't change it?

Or have they used inferior oil or oil that is made to congeal after 12 months.

B. Why did the oil get congealed as Perth, Australia is not very cold.

very puzzled and questioning...

pat

Edited June 22, 2011 by wazp

[Lawz]

Oil sludge. So you bought it brand new off the show room floor? :S or second hand new?

If second hand could have been sitting in the car yard for ages without a oil change.

How much driving have you done since you've owned it?

Check out the Log Book for servicing to see how often services were done and who did them etc.

$4000 is very steep. Might as well get a new engine in it.

[wazp]

I bought it new as in 87 meters,

i have had it 5 years <53Km.

Have had it serviced regularly and missed only last time as I said.

All servicing done by Toyota.

Edited June 22, 2011 by wazp

[Lawz]

oh ok sorry just wasn't sure what your meaning of new was.

I assume you missed the 40,000km/24 month service, which ever comes first.

So you've done 23,000Km without a service.

A. Yeah it's possible the oil has built up sludge in the engine because it's done so many kilometres without a service. Hence servicing per your log book be done every 10,000Kms or 6 months, which ever comes first.

B. Already answered per above.

Toyota asking $4000 to fix is a excessive.

Ask them what they are going to do for $4000 besides the checklist in the log book.

Alternatively you can go to another mechanic to get quote and see what they suggest.

Hope that helps in some way.

[95celica]

23,000 is way too much between services mate. personally I change oil and filter every 5,000 or 6 months on my car,this has been done since new. my engine has done over 250,000kms and doesnt burn oil or blow smoke.For $4000 I would suspect they will desludge the engine, remove the head and put new valve seals in it. Where I work I see sludgey engines all the time, even with low KMs. The way I see it, oil is cheap, engines are not

[wazp]

ok I see I know nothing about cars so was just puzzled - oh it is only 13,000Km by the way. and yes I meant 53,000Km in my 1sr post.

Do they replace the gaskets or what ever as well while the head is off?

OH SEE - you meant from previous to now 23 000 Ok point taken.

Edited June 23, 2011 by wazp

[Lawz]

ok I see I know nothing about cars so was just puzzled - oh it is only 13,000Km by the way. and yes I meant 53,000Km in my 1sr post.

Do they replace the gaskets or what ever as well while the head is off?

OH SEE - you meant from previous to now 23 000 Ok point taken.

Yeah because you're doing your 50,000Km/30 month service now and your last service would have been the 30,000Km/18 Month service.

Yeah I'd say they would perform full 50,000Km service plus take head off, new seals, gasket, etc.

I would find out what Toyota will be doing for $4000 and also seek a second opinion from a non-Toyota / non-Sci-Fleet mechanic / perhaps an Approved RAC WA mechanic.