Need immediate help with these two questions. 

I am evaluating the purchase of a 1998 Lexus ES 300 with a V6 3.0
liter engine. Car looks great but I hear a ticking noise from the
engine. A mechanic, who has not seen this specific car, tells me the
ticking may indicate the valves have sludge. He says sludge is a
common defect of this V6 3.0 liter engine.

1. Can you provide data which either supports or refutes the
mechanic's allegation?

2. The Toyota Avalon and the Toyota Camry also use a V6 3.0 liter
engine in some models. Are these engines the same as the V6 3.0 liter
used in the 1998 Lexus?

Many thanks, Craig2

A pal of mine used to have a Lexus dealership and, of course, he drove
around in a top-of-the-range Lexus.

But when he sold the dealership, he also sold his Lexus. Too expensive
to maintain, he reckoned.

So, what did he buy?

A Skoda Superb and, guess what, he prefers it to the Lexus.

As you may know, the Skodas are now blessed with Audi & Volkswagen
engineering and they are magic.

Please buy a Skoda Superb and join the in crowd.