GWELEX

To both responses thanks for the support. We (the wife) will keep this engine maintained well beyond factory recomendations. Synthetic is a good suggestion, as a matter of fact, Corporate suggested that our extreme temperatures here in Alaska may have been the cause of the sudden oil loss and the sludge that had built up. I do want to say this, sludge in the engine head wasn't as bad as I have seen pictured over the internet but none the less still apparent and visible. Sudden oil loss was what cause our engine to fail, which is also a sympton of an oil sludge engine.

Just a quick update on my situation. The Lexus dealership had denied our claim, so we took the next step and contacted Lexus corporate. After 3 phone calls back and forth over a span of a couple of weeks, last Monday, Jan 29th, I received a phone call from corporate and they have stepped up and will provide us with a brand new engine. It may take 5-6 weeks for everything to be completed but once again I am proud to be a Lexus owner. There never was "more to the story", it was business trying save a buck. You have to stand up and provide the proof (receipts) and be prepared to take it to the next level if you have to.

You have a '01 RX300 that you've owned for 2 1/2 years. This is 2007. Have the oil change receipts from the previous owner? Maybe you should sue him for not maintaining the vehicle and then sticking you with it. How can you be in litigation with Toyota? They give you an 8 year unlimited miles warranty on the engine against sludge. You just have to show you've changed the oil ONCE A YEAR! Doesn't make sense. Lastly, any Lexus mechanic that told you there's a design flaw in the valve cover shouldn't be allowed near a wrench. Design flaw in the cylinder head maybe - but not the valve cover. Your first statement is riculous, a used car is a used car. I agree with your 2nd statement, but the fact remains they denied the claim. Yes there is a new valve cover design due to the oil sludge problem, not a new head. http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=150&did=1090

I've recently had an oil gel problem creating a sudden loss of oil, within the last week to be exact. My '01 RX has sludge and has seized at the cam bearing. I have receipts for oil changes that are well within the minimum requirements since my ownership of the vehicle 2 1/2 years ago. The Lexus mechanic told me outright there is a design flaw with the valve cover, but that the Lexus/Toyota stand is poor maintenace. The dealership has denied my claim. My case currently is in litagation with Corporate Lexus. There are many reports of this problem, several with beyond normal maintenance, oil changes at 3K or less on a regular basis. Here are a few posts by other owners: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_engine.html http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007...settlement.html These are only a few of the over 4000 sludge complaints to date. As time goes on this number will increase. Hang on to your letters and save your receipts, they are only good until 2010 that's when the extended program ends for the 2002 models. Not all of these people are lairs and whiners.