# Toyota Verso 2007 Engine Sludge? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** corolla, toyota\ **Created:** [January 21, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562 "2018-01-21T23:41:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/21 "2018-01-22T17:49:47Z")
> [@shadowfax](#): > > The first Verso is a 2009 model year. If the search is correct from 2005 to 2009 it was called the Toyota Corolla Verso then the Corolla part was dropped . And it seems to be European only. Frankly I think the OP should just drive on and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/22 "2018-01-22T17:50:54Z")
> [@texases](#): > > Well, you mention major problems that might happen. What’s that based on, factually? It’s based on the warnings on engine flush products. It’s also based on my opinion that this issue might be nothing more than cosmetic. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/23 "2018-01-22T22:14:26Z")
Outside of remembering the local auto show guy 20 years ago always recommended Seafoam, the only thing I would add is that plugs, oil, and filter, is not full maintenance, but just minimal. For an 07, you should consider transmission, radiator, hoses, belt, timing belt if it has one, brake fluid flush, etc. I don’t know if Seafoam is available in Europe though. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/24 "2018-01-23T03:47:42Z")
One datapoint, it doesn’t look nearly that bad on my own 25 year old Corolla. There are a few of those light brown “water-color looking” colorations, but none of the really thick dark brown deposits. Does your engine use variable valve timing? If so, sludge can really do a number on that. W/o vvt I wouldn’t worry about it other than do oil & filter changes more frequently for a while, and I might use a fully synthetic oil for its cleansing ability. Don’t remove the oil pan unless you have an actual reason to suspect you may find something diagnostic there. Likely whatever you see, you won’t be able to do anything about it. There isn’t much upside. And on the downside, you risk inadvertently damaging something in the process or creating an oil leak. ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/25 "2018-01-23T07:04:02Z")
Thank you Mr Volvo, as I have just had the oil changed my mechanic has advised to drive below 3000 miles so the filter can capture some of the crap! Before we do the oil pan thing ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/26 "2018-01-23T07:04:57Z")
Hello Mr Tester yes I intend on doing this! ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/27 "2018-01-23T07:08:30Z")
Hello Mr ok4450 Yes that’s exactly what has caused this issue unfortunately, prior to owning this I had a toyota avensis which I used to service every 5000 miles and it drove silky smooth ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/28 "2018-01-23T07:10:00Z")
My main concern is safety as I have children I wouldn’t want the motor to conk out on me whilst driving with the kids in the back! Which is why I want everything perfect In the car ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/29 "2018-01-23T07:15:53Z")
Hello Cavell, That’s what I am contemplating at the moment, but since I bought the car, iv put in new tyres, done a full service and changed the battery and also the clutch as the clutch was a bit stiff, iv only driven approx 600 miles since owning the car, so after spending that much money on maintenance I really don’t want to sell the car if I don’t have to, I’m just trying to establish if there is a link between engine sludge and poor mileage and I haven’t tried flushing the oil yet, that’s something I will do after I approach 3000 miles of driving then if the oil sludge remains I might I forced to sell the car, but it does drive OK there isn’t any knocking noises or anything but I’m just a bit bit cautious of all that gunk being inside the engine, I had a toyota avensis prior to this which I used to service every 5000 miles, so when you are used to having a well maintained car it just feels a bit weired driving a car around with a dirty engine around as that’s not my style! ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/30 "2018-01-23T07:18:39Z")
Hello George I’m not sure about the variable valve timing but my mechanic who fixes alot of toyotas has told me it’s nothing to worry about and after a few oil changes everything should be OK, il be a bit cautious about the oil pan as you are right I don’t want to cause any oil leaks going forward! ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/31 "2018-01-23T07:20:13Z")
Hello Mr Bing, yes radiator, brake, transmission fluid have all been replaced, but as it is a vvti engine it has a chain so no timing belt would be required my mechanic has said. ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/32 "2018-01-23T07:20:50Z")
Toyota corolla verso 2007 vvti engine 1.8 petrol it’s in the UK. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/33 "2018-01-23T07:23:23Z")
Hello Mr whitey yes I have heard of this scenario I basically have 2 options either do frequent oil flushes and open the oil pan to see what’s going on inside, or secondly add some sea foam and let it chemically clean my engine then drain the remains out. I still have a bit of mileage to cover so il see how I get on closer to the time. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![zoomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f475e1/32.png) [@zoomaj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zoomaj)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/34 "2018-01-23T07:27:16Z")
Hello Mr Whitey I used to service my toyota avensis every 5000 miles as well and engine was silky smooth, compared with this it’s OK, it’s not as smooth and occasionally whilst idling the noise will change like it’s hesitating then go back to normal again, this is what’s making me think could this sludge be inside the crankshaft which is causing it difficulty idling the car, and also a dirty crankshaft is going to require a lot more power to spin in cause using more fuel, which in turn would my make theory correct of engine sludge causing me poor gas mileage. ---
**Author:** ![bloody\_knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@bloody\_knuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bloody_knuckles)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/35 "2018-01-23T11:34:27Z")
I bought a four year old Sienna with a V6 back in 2008. It looked just like the photos posted here (inside the valve cover and oil filler cap). It had 73,000 miles on it. I switched to synthetic oil with 7,500 mile change intervals and never had any issues. It never burned oil or made noises that indicated any oil starvation. I sold it with 227,000 still running strong with no engine issues whatsoever. I wouldn’t worry too much unless you are hearing engine noises that indicate oil circulation issues or it is burning excessive oil. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/36 "2018-01-23T14:41:29Z")
> [@zoomaj](#): > > Toyota corolla verso 2007 vvti engine 1.8 petrol it’s in the UK. Thanks Good, that clears some things up. You have the 1ZZ-FE engine, which isn’t a particularly sludge-prone one (some of Toyota’s are, which is why I asked). So if you’re seeing sludge it’s indicative that the oil hasn’t been changed as regularly as it should have been which lines up with your comments about the previous owner neglecting it for years on end. I don’t think this is going to lead to particular problems as long as you’re more responsible with the oil changes than the previous owner was, but if you really wanted to, it wouldn’t hurt to dump 1/3 of a can of Seafoam in the oil filler cap, then run the car for 10-15 minutes and change the oil. I will say that I’ve seen engines with much, _much_ worse sludging going on that still ran. As long as you don’t let the sludge get worse, you’ll probably be fine. If you haven’t already, you should have a look at all the other fluids. If the previous owner neglected something as cheap and basic as oil changes, it’s a good bet he didn’t get the coolant or the transmission fluid serviced too. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/37 "2018-01-23T14:49:00Z")
> [@shadowfax](#): > > …if you really wanted to, it wouldn’t hurt to dump 1/3 of a can of Seafoam in the oil filler cap, then run the car for 10-15 minutes and change the oil. That certainly sounds like a much safer way to do it than just dumping a can of the stuff in there and leaving it in, and your instructions line up with the instructions found on products designed to flush-clean motors. I’d add a couple of caveats to that though: -Make sure when you do this, you’re not overfilling the crankcase. If the oil is full when you start, you might drain out a quart first. -I’d personally run it for 5-10 minutes with the Sea Foam in the crankcase, and I’d start with an already warm engine rather than a cold engine. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/38 "2018-01-24T00:36:23Z")
It’s comforting to know that there are some people on this board that think they know more about automotive products, than the people who actually make them. Tester ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/39 "2018-01-24T01:42:23Z")
Just to clarify, I wasn’t making a comment on whether or not Seafoam will hurt things. Seafoam’s labeling says it won’t, and it probably wouldn’t if it was harmful because they’d have been sued by now. I just tend to run it, when necessary, shortly before I’m going to change the oil anyway because then it’s a one stop shop. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562/40 "2018-01-24T02:37:52Z")
> [@zoomaj](#): > > I’m not sure about the variable valve timing > [@zoomaj](#): > > Toyota corolla verso 2007 vvti engine 1.8 petrol “vvti” means variable valve timing. So yes you do have it, and you are correct to be concerned about the sludge formation. Good for you for staying ahead of it. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-verso-2007-engine-sludge/111562.md?page=3)