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[Stacy]

I have 2004 Sienna Van with 64k on it.

The light on the dash that is just a picture of the Engine has come on.
The manual says take to to the Dealer. Cha-Ching$

What is this an indicator of?

By the way, I thought that this vehicle had a light that came on when you
needed to change your oil, does anyone have one and know if this is true ??
I bought it with 58k on it and have not changed the oil yet.

Thanks.

[ma_twain]

Stacy wrote:

[Sam Cheung]

Don't flush the tansmission oil! You will stir up metal shaving/filings at
the bottom and deposit them on the gears. Just drain and put in new
transmission oil.
"ma_twain" <ma_twain@yahoo.com> ???????:419D40EF.3060606@yahoo.com...

[Mike]

"Sam Cheung" <sycheung2001@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:RYRod.34903$Ro.1183253@news20.bellglobal.com...

[Rogers]

Sienna vans are covered under an 8 year unlimited mile policy for engine sludge. You will need to prove adequate maintenance, though, and that may not be proveable with a used vehicle. That is why I advise anyone buuying a used Toyota of the sludge prone years to make sure they have documentation of all maintenance or, if not, get someone to pull the valve cover (the only way to 100% i.d. sludge).

Regarding oil changes, your manual states that it should be changed every 5,000 miles for driving in very specific severe conditions and 7,500 miles for all other conditions, so going 6,000 miles is well within the boundaries if you do not primarily drive in the listed severe conditions. The only question is, when was the oil last changed before you bought it.

You really won't know if it is the sludge monster unless you pull the valve cover. if it is sludge, you are in for major cha-ching. Like somewhere in the neighborhood of $5,000. Wish you the best, but advise you to do some internet research next time before you buy a used vehicle. this sludge problem is all over the internet (try web search for Toyota Engine Sludge.

[Rogers]

Here is a link to info on sludge.

http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=416&scid=37

Scroll to bottom of page. Includes letters Toyota sent to owners, too.

[T. Johnson]

Wait a sec. This engine light complaint is about a 2004. Man that is a lot of miles on a 2004! It must have been a great deal to buy an '04 with that many miles. Ya gets whats ya pay for.

The links for the sludge problem say this is only for up to 2002's in the Sienna so you are SOL if it is sludge in the '04. Don't PANIC, tho. There are MANY MANY things that could cause your light to come on other than sludge, some are pretty minor ( tighten up the gas cap) so don't freek out yet. Just get the codes read. Won't Autozone read codes for free? No cha-ching there.

[T. Johnson]

One other thing about 2004's - yes, there is a light indicating an oil change is needed. It comes on at 5,000 miles. That COULD be the light that is on right now on your van.

Toyota did rewrite their manual for 2004 models and eliminated the 7,500 mile oil change interval . 7500 was way too long and 5000 is even a stretch - I say play it safe with a 3,000 mile oil change.