| Individuals purchasing used cars usually neglect to | | | | problems. These failures require changing to |
| inspect the most crucial auto parts. That makes | | | | synthetic oil, inspection, and even engine |
| them guilty of the automotive original sin. The | | | | replacement. |
| negligence of purchasers could lead to complex | | | | "Chrysler has a serious sludge problem with the |
| car problems at some future time. In fact, such | | | | 2.7-liter V-6 engine used on some of its |
| negligence could turn high quality oil into futile | | | | Concordes and Sebrings and also on some Dodge |
| gasoline. | | | | Intrepids and Stratus in the 1998-2002 model |
| Several hot-selling cars appear to have an | | | | years," said Clarence M. Ditlow, executive director |
| increased peril of serious mechanical troubles. This | | | | of the Center for Auto Safety. He added, "The |
| is, most of the time, caused by neglecting the | | | | center's Web site (autosafety.org) had about |
| scheduled oil changes during the car's formative | | | | 2,800 complaints of failures from sludge." |
| years. One of the reasons that challenge the | | | | Sam Locricchio, Chrysler spokesman said, "The |
| quality of the car is the buildup of sludge. The | | | | center was exaggerating the problem. He said the |
| viscous tarlike deposits diminish or shut off oil | | | | center received many duplicate complaints as well |
| circulation. It could cost the owner thousands of | | | | as cases in which it could not be shown that the |
| dollars for repairs or replacements. | | | | vehicle had been properly maintained." |
| Sludge is the term for solid waste and the thick | | | | Dean Tomazic, director for performance and |
| breakdown of oil as it deteriorates. The buildup is | | | | emissions at FEV Engine Technology, a consulting |
| triggered by moisture and contaminants that turn | | | | firm in Auburn Hills, Mich. said, "The owner of a |
| oil to gel. As a result, friction increases. Eventually, | | | | used car could conscientiously change the oil |
| it may cause excess wear or worst - a | | | | every 3,000 miles and still have a problem if the |
| stop-right-now failure. Experts are saying that | | | | previous owner neglected the maintenance. The |
| there is no foolproof technique to ensure car | | | | engine may be so damaged from the past |
| owners of a trouble-prone vehicle to protect | | | | abuse," He also added that such could "eternally |
| themselves. In addition, if there is a trouble | | | | cause sludge formation." |
| involving sludge, the automaker may reject the | | | | Used car owners are not alone with said dilemma. |
| warranty claim over the vehicle because it is likely | | | | Earlier, Jeff Meckstroth of New Orleans, initiated a |
| hard to prove that previous owners neglected oil | | | | class-action suit against Toyota involving sludge |
| maintenance expected of them. | | | | problem. Meckstroth's new 1999 Lexus RX 300 |
| Oil sludge usually occurs at temperatures lower | | | | sport wagon also had a sludge problem. Later, it |
| than 100 degree Celsius. It could be a key | | | | was ruled by a Better Business Bureau arbitrator |
| contributor to major engine problems. As a fact, | | | | that the car was properly maintained. |
| sludge could necessitate a timely engine | | | | Unfortunately, Toyota denied there was a |
| replacement. Late models of piston engines from | | | | problem with the engine. |
| several manufacturers have experienced failures | | | | On the other hand, Consumer Reports magazine |
| by reason of oil sludge contamination. Failures | | | | reported "the problem rate as reflected in our |
| happen when engine oil passages are clogged with | | | | reliability data is very low." "Oil sludge," according |
| sludge. Hence, even if oil is of high quality, it will be | | | | to an auto expert, "is almost like clogged arteries. |
| futile. The worst that it could do is to damage the | | | | You look good on the outside, but you don't know |
| whole engine much to the owner's disadvantage. | | | | what is on the inside." Every auto parts serve a |
| Oil sludge has resulted to several auto | | | | vital role in the vehicle's efficiency. Hence, an |
| catastrophes. In the automotive history, 3.3 million | | | | owner should not only concentrate on brakes, |
| engines from Toyota, 430,000 from Saab, | | | | EBC pads and the like. He must inspect each part |
| 426,000 from Volkswagen and unknown numbers | | | | to be secured. |
| from Chrysler, Dodge and Audi had such | | | | |