The car smokes when I first start it up and for a few minutes afterward; uses about a quart of oil a week. I understand in the Chilton book that the oil control valve FILTER is usually the problem and needs to be taken out and cleaned-good luck finding it!! I found a report on the internet that Toyota issued a recall on the 3.0 engine for the very problem of engine sludge. I need more information so I can proceed.

I love this car; it gets 18-19 mpg in town and 26-27 mpg on the interstate and runs really good. This is the only problem I've had with it, but it is irritating. On a 700 mile trip out to Texas, it takes 4-5 quarts of oil. Please tell what the best course is. The service manager at the local Toyota dealer never heard of the oil control valve or the filter giving a problem; WHAT? This car sat up for several months 2 or 3 times before I purchased it, so I suspect the sludge may have harden and simply needs to be cleaned; I believe Toyota should do this.

Engine bruned excessive oil. I took it into Toyota for an oil change at Autonation Toyota in Winter Park Florida , and called after 3 hours of waiting at home. The tech told me he was searching junk yards for another engine since mine had no oil. Told him it was still running and asked why, he said he had never since a Toyota with so little oil. I drive in to pick up the van and cleverly he never changed the oil or had a notification of a repair. The car burns excessive oil and you could see dark some from tailpipe. Had to take it to a local mechanic to get it fixed. There is clearly some kind of problem with the engines.