1998 Toyota Sienna Engine cooling Problems

“We have a Toyota Sienna van. In 8/02 we had 'oil gel sludging' and the engine was fixed under warranty. Now, we have exactly the same problem and Toyota refuses to pay for the repair. With the initial repair, they acknowledged it was a design flaw. Since the engine was poorly designed, and there is a recurring problem due to the design, why do they think a one-time repair will suffice?”

“Had sludge in the engine. Engine lost oil and smoke coming out the tail pipe. They rebuilt my engine for free. Saying that I did not change oil frequent enough. I have proof and did change every 4-5000 miles but not with the Toyota dealership. My concern is that what did they change to make sure this doesn\\'t happen again. They could not promise me it wouldn\\'t even if I changed the oil every 3000 miles”

“Engine light came on in my 1998 Toyota Sienna on i75 in atlanta ga while visiting friends, was able to get to median before it died. Had it towed to independent mechanic who verified sludge build up. Called Toyota about engine failure. Was told to take van to a Toyota dealership in sc (where we live) towed the van home took it to dealership who also verified sludge build up. Was told by Toyota that they were aware of the problems in their engines but was not going to pay for engine replacement because we did not have receipts proving that oil/filters changes were made. …”

“We leased a 1998 Toyota Sienna because it was the safest van out there at the time. Two years later I was driving to work, when the ( dummy gauge) for the oil light turned on. I stopped at the first gas station and checked the oil it was fine. On my way home that morning from work on the freeway. The oil light came on again, then suddenly the engine stalled & I heard some knocking noise , I pulled over, and had it towed to the Toyota dealearship where we leased the van. They had it checked out then told us that there was oil sludging and has caused engine damage. …”

“My car's engine failed at 20,000 miles. The dealer said it was due to sludge, based on my not changing the oil often enough. I had changed the oil every 6000 miles, not every 3000 miles. The dealer, jim coleman Toyota of bethesda md stated that I was at fault and that Toyota would do nothing for me. First coleman flushed the engine, at a cost of 1000. When this repair only held for 2000 miles or so, I was told I needed to replace my engine. I did so at ernie's, a top-rated repair shop in bethesda (consumer check list)at a cost of 5600, considerably less than Toyota's price of 7500. …”