I have a 1999 RX300 AWD with 110,000 miles. Haven't had any problems suggestive of "gelling" but last summer, I asked my dealer to check as there was discoloration of head metal visible from the oil filler hole and the 8 year warranty was expiring. Got the report back "no gelling". More recently, the discoloration has got worse and I actually scooped up some with my finger (through the oil filler hole) and picked up some gritty, paticulate, lumps of what appears to be carbon deposits. Is this something to be worried about?

 

You know mine has that same building up on the filler baffle, I believe that is OK, but Make sure you do frequent and use good quality oil. I am a firm believer in sythetic blend or pure synthetic oils....

 

I took pictures and posted here of my head and internals. The carbon and tarnish is common on these things. I used seafoam for about 2500 miles and it cleaned the crap out of it really well.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. Mine probably looks worse, but have had no issues. Keep in mind, more important is what kind of oil you are putting and and how often you are changing it out.

 

Thanks all. The oil on the dipstick and the dipstick itself are as clean as a whistle. Hopefully not not a problem, then. Like I said, no symptoms of impending doom, but I've never seen this in a car before.

 

Keith- See my post under "99RX300 Engine Sludge Questions" The total area of "cinder" was probably only about 4-5 percent, but it was deposited at random- no pattern or ryme or reason. I see nothing to indicate that it does any harm (though I would far rather not see it there). The area where you pour the oil in had a pretty heavy crust of it but in general it reminded me of psoriasis- no ryme or pattern as to where it decided to deposit itself.