I am thinking seriously of buying this model with exceptionally low mileage...
only 56,000 miles on it - there is what appears to be some surface undercarriage rust - but no body damage - and I am going to have my Lexus trained mechanic open the front valve cover to check for any gelling/sludge
before purchasing the vehicle....other than that - the car is in mint condition
and drives great. But I was told by a former Lexus certified mechanic that if the car shows any signs of gelling or sludge - do NOT buy it. Easy enough !

If any of you have expertise on either undercarriage rust or the Valve Cover and Gelling or Sludge matters - I would appreciate your input ASAP.
Thanks !

 

So your looking at a 2001 es, Great, but you said it only has 56K on it, but with that low miles I would asume that it has has reg oil changes, and check Lexus website put your vin in and it will tell you all the service it has had to it. but you should not have an issue with sludge and it sounds like your wasting your time but I would be concerned with its scheduled maintance reg oil changes, and other wear and tear items. But I would try to get the best price. What are you paying and post a link of your Lexus and have everyone check it out and see if your getting a good deal, were here to help just dont want to see you waste your time cause ive never heard of someone taking the valve cover off at that low miles just letting you know

 

So if I go to the Lexus website and put my car's vin#, it will tell me the service history or whatever service was done to it?

 

Yes, you will have to create an account I believe. And it will only show service from Lexus dealers.

 

yes. call the main lexus customer support and provide the vin Id. they will respond if this vehicle is prone to sludging or not. if it is part of the recall they may even extend the engine sludge warranty.

 

I don't remember where i heard this, but i heard that only 97-98 engines were prone to sludge, not the es300's with vvt-i. Either way, if the car does not have this problem, you are in for many miles of relaxing driving