charlotteschubert1

Lexus SC Oil Sludge

Alright, gearheads, I'm kinda freaked out here. My 2002 Lexus SC with a gasoline engine is giving me fits. Got almost 200k kilometers on it (191415 km to be exact). Lately, the oil pressure warning lamp lights up and I’m seeing a warning light in the speedometer. I checked the oil level, and it's fine, but the oil itself looks…sludgy. Like, thick and nasty. I'm guessing I’ve exceeded the maintenance interval by a significant amount. Any ideas what I'm looking at here? Could this be catastrophic?

The 2002 Lexus SC is experiencing oil sludge issues, indicated by the oil pressure warning lamp and sludgy oil appearance. The problem is likely due to exceeding the maintenance interval and frequent short trips, which contribute to sludge buildup. Immediate action is advised to prevent engine damage, including taking the car to a workshop for an engine flush and oil change. Regular maintenance and timely oil changes are crucial to avoid such issues.

Did this summary help you solve your problem?

4 comment(s)

I had a similar issue with my SC! Was the oil particularly dark and almost gritty-looking? How long has it been since your last oil change? And what kind of driving do you typically do? Short trips or longer highway runs?

Yes! Dark and gritty is a PERFECT description! I mostly do short trips around town, not much highway driving at all. Honestly, I'm embarrassed to say how long it’s been since the last oil change. Way longer than it should be. Is this pointing to something really bad?

Okay, short trips are the WORST for oil sludge buildup. Based on the dark, gritty oil and the warning lights, it sounds like you might be dealing with serious oil sludge. I'd recommend not driving it at all and getting it to a workshop ASAP. Seriously, continuing to drive it could cause major engine damage.

Thanks for the advice! I took it to a workshop. You were right; it was major oil sludge. Apparently, exceeding the maintenance interval for too long did a number on it. They flushed the engine and replaced the oil and filter. Cost me 165€, but at least it wasn't a new engine! Lesson learned – oil changes are not optional!

rmh_community_comment_box_header

community_crosslink_scanner_headline

community_crosslink_scanner_intro

community_crosslink_scanner_title

community_crosslink_scanner_price

community_crosslink_rmh_headline

community_crosslink_rmh_intro

community_crosslink_rmh_title

community_crosslink_rmh_subtitle

community_crosslink_rmh_brand

LEXUS

community_crosslink_rmh_model