Oil change

[Bill_H2003]

Hello,

I have heard that later model Camry's (like my 99) have problems with sludge build-up. Sorry if I heard incorrectly.

Anyway, I went to the dealer for my first oil change since buying the car. It's been about 4 months and I have put 3000 km on it. After the oil change, I asked the tech how often the oil needs to be changed. I was shocked when he replied "6000km or every six months". Ford use to tell me nothing longer than 4 months max. I've heard some of you say 3000km or 3 months.

I guess we know why some people are having sludge build-up...

Bill

[Brian R.]

The most common number thrown around is 3000 miles or 3 months, not km. I guess it doesn't hurt to be conservative, but unless your car is abused, every 3000 km is a little too often. Every 6000 km (3600 miles) is not unreasonable.

The problem with sludge may not be oil-change interval alone. There are many contributing factors that will kill your oil prematurely. Driving habits, PCV valve performance, among others will make this more or less of a problem.

[Bossman]

Also, from the little that I've read on the subject, the oil sludge problem only exists in the V6 engine, not the 4-cylinder motor.

[Parmenides3]

If you're interested in some good links on the sludge issue, you might check this:
http://yotarepair.com/Sludge_Zone.html
I'm definitely going conservative on my oil changes (3000 miles), and after downloading some pictures showing how well synthetic oil stands up, I'm going with Mobile 1. I know it's overkill to change synthetic at 3000 miles, but I'd rather raise my prospects of keeping my car for 300,000 miles.

[BMW_4.4i]

Originally Posted by Bill_H2003

I was shocked when he replied "6000km or every six months". Ford use to tell me nothing longer than 4 months max. I've heard some of you say 3000km or 3 months.

Ford=
Found on road dead
Fix or repair daily
Drive returns on foot (FORD reversed)

Toyotas are the highest quality cars on the planet. In my old Land Crusier (i know its not a Camry but...) i went 7000-10000 miles with Mobil 1 Synthetic oil between changes. I drive 800-1000 miles a week and would hate to change it every 3 WEEKS!

[RIP]

My two cents - currently I own 2 Camrys. I've owned an 87 for 12 years and a 94 for 5 years. I have never changed the oil in either with less than 5000 miles between changes. That goes for the other 5 cars I've owned too. I've never had an engine problem and gas milage has remained constant - 31MPG on the 87 with 223k miles. I've never used a synthetic oil. I've lived in a hot desert climate for 12 years. ALWAYS change the filter!

[ToyotaTech]

Not true on the sludge 4 cyls also have this problem if u don't change ur oil!

[gator2764]

Originally Posted by Bill_H2003

Hello,

I have heard that later model Camry's (like my 99) have problems with sludge build-up. Sorry if I heard incorrectly.

Anyway, I went to the dealer for my first oil change since buying the car. It's been about 4 months and I have put 3000 km on it. After the oil change, I asked the tech how often the oil needs to be changed. I was shocked when he replied "6000km or every six months". Ford use to tell me nothing longer than 4 months max. I've heard some of you say 3000km or 3 months.

I guess we know why some people are having sludge build-up...

Bill

I just rolled 170K on my 95 Camry and have changed the oil every 5K miles and do not have a sludge problem. I believe people who have that problem just don't change their oil on a regular basis. There are still people out there who belive that just adding oil is enough. When the timing belt was replaced a month ago the top of the head was still nice and clean.