Toyota Repair: 2002 2.4 Solara Oil Use and Check Eng. lite, oil sludge, oil consumption

Question
Recenyly purchase above with 99,000 Mi.  . Immediately after the CEL came on, code 420. Maybe cat? It also uses about 1 qt. every 600 mi. no smoke or leaks. Maybe valve seals ? Any history of problems on this vehicle. Very disapointed. First Toyota. Own 1993 Altima 300,000 origional eng. no oil consumption. Thank You, Dale

Answer
The po420 code is normally a failing cat converter, the oil consumption could be valve seal related, this is common, the valve cover should be removed to check for excessive oil sludge. if there is I would contact the toyota dealer because there is a special service campaign for excessive oil gelling, if there is no excess sludge then replacing the valve seals should take care of the problem. Toyota has also issued a service bulletin TSB EG024-04 that addresses the po420 code, it involves recalibrating the ECU and replacing the converter, the warranty period is for 8yrs/80,000 miles.