Concern about engine sludge, engine rebuild cost

[zxcjason]

I'm going to buy a 2001 Solara Convertible. It has always been one of my dream car. Yay! It has 58k on it and everything seems pretty good. It is going to cost me $14000 CAD (I live in Vancouver, Canada).

However, I'm a bit concerned with engine sludge. I checked the oil dipstick, and it's dark brown. I got the dealer to arrange for a mechanic to open the valve cover two days from now. I also have an option to buy an extended warranty (4 yrs/40000km) for $2000 so I can have it covered. There is no service history of the car, so I have no idea how regular the oil change is.

Here are my questions:

1. How much will it cost to rebuild/replace an engine if it does develop sludge in the future?
2. Any experience with extended warranty by third party company (First Canadian Protection Plans is what I was offered)? Is it worth getting that to cover the potential engine problem?
3. If there is in fact sludge in the engine, does it still worth buying it and
just replace the engine in the future? Is it rare to find a convertible in that generation? (It is really one of my dream cars)
4. I read somwhere that if there is no sludge in the engine, but the dipsticks shows dark brown oil, that is an indication that sludge is going to happen soon. Any comment on that?

Thanks for reading, any comments will be appreciated!

[Dawgz]

I'm going to buy a 2001 Solara Convertible. It has always been one of my dream car. Yay! It has 58k on it and everything seems pretty good. It is going to cost me $14000 CAD (I live in Vancouver, Canada).

However, I'm a bit concerned with engine sludge. I checked the oil dipstick, and it's dark brown. I got the dealer to arrange for a mechanic to open the valve cover two days from now. I also have an option to buy an extended warranty (4 yrs/40000km) for $2000 so I can have it covered. There is no service history of the car, so I have no idea how regular the oil change is.

Here are my questions:

1. How much will it cost to rebuild/replace an engine if it does develop sludge in the future?
2. Any experience with extended warranty by third party company (First Canadian Protection Plans is what I was offered)? Is it worth getting that to cover the potential engine problem?
3. If there is in fact sludge in the engine, does it still worth buying it and
just replace the engine in the future? Is it rare to find a convertible in that generation? (It is really one of my dream cars)
4. I read somwhere that if there is no sludge in the engine, but the dipsticks shows dark brown oil, that is an indication that sludge is going to happen soon. Any comment on that?

Thanks for reading, any comments will be appreciated!

are u sure the dipstick u checked wasnt the transmission fluid dipstick?

anyway, with 58k i dont think it should have had a problem, but u can only know once you pull the valve cover.

[zxcjason]

Yup I'm pretty sure I had the oil one. I pulled the trasmission dipstick first thinking it was the oil dipstick, then I realized I got the wrong one. From what I recall the oil dipstick is on my left (right hand side of the car).

Btw anything particular to look for when the valve cover is opened? I've seen pictures of sludge on the web, so I have some idea how it would look like. But any pointers on that will be appreciated!

[TLMNICK]

When that valve cover comes off.....you'll know right away if its got sludge or not.

The price you're getting that car for seems very reasonable, and 58K is very low. what colour is it?

Make sure the body is all original, and that it wasnt in some crazy accident and rebuilt. Look for small things like the rad support, the alignment of body panels, rust in strange places, and make sure the roof moves freely without binding on anything.

[Gangis]

Toyota has a policy regarding engine sludge and you fall well within that policy so it'll be repaired for free. I went through it and had no problems!

[Dawgz]

Toyota has a policy regarding engine sludge and you fall well within that policy so it'll be repaired for free. I went through it and had no problems!

that policy ends at 60K i think...or was it 80K.

[Gangis]

8 years/100k I believe.

[zxcjason]

Thanks for all the replies, you guys are really helpful!

What's the rad support? How do I check this?

It's white, with black top. From what I see the body panel is original (I looked from different angles and the colour matches). No accident on the record.

[solaracanada]

Thanks for all the replies, you guys are really helpful!

What's the rad support? How do I check this?

It's white, with black top. From what I see the body panel is original (I looked from different angles and the colour matches). No accident on the record.

btw, I am in vancouver too!!!! Actually burnaby, but close enough.

[nemoxfishy]

Welcome to Vancouver! Im also in Van.
My car is at 51K right now. (99 V6 SE)
I'm also concerned about the sludge problem. This makes me want to go down to toyota and ask about their policies...

[LatinDragonXJC]

I remember a long thread I started about this a while back (2 years ago....wow I've been here too long).

Here:

http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php? ... ght=sludge

[TLMNICK]

If you end up taking the car, do an oil change using full synthetic....and keep up with that from that point on every 5000km. You should be ok.

[zxcjason]

So I'm getting the car tomorrow! Paid the deposit today.

Other than scheduled maintenance, any suggestion about what I could do to keep my car in tip top shape (This is my first car and I'm a total newbie)? Is it a good idea to get some stuff to treat the convertible top to make it more durable?

Glad to hear from my fellow Canadian and Vancouverite here. I got the car from Vancouver Honda on Marine Drive, and my agent Eric has been most helpful in the whole process. Any suggestion where I can take my baby for a spin in a sunny day? I've biked on Marine Drive in West Van and the ride is beautiful, and I figure it will be a good place for a convertible ride too. I live in Richmond, and part of River Road is quite nice too.

[TLMNICK]

I dont know of anything that you should put on the top. Its pretty durable the way it is. Just make sure they you dont let anything heavy sit on it. When it gets wet, dry it up as soon as you can.

When you get the car home, give it a good wax. And keep waxing it often to make it shine, and resist scratching and dirt buildup from the rain.

Have it oil sprayed, and undercoated.