Sludge Horor Stories

[SinnTax]

I got some sluge break up stuff (Gunk brand) that you use BEFORE a oil change. I have heard bad stories about this type of process.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced any problems flushing before a oil change on their 4.0 V6. (1991 Explorer)

thanks

 

[modelageek]

I got some sluge break up stuff (Gunk brand) that you use BEFORE a oil change. I have heard bad stories about this type of process.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced any problems flushing before a oil change on their 4.0 V6. (1991 Explorer)

thanks

the one product that seems to get the best feedback is Autorx. I have never used it........I guess they suggest you use reguler oil add it with a new oil change......I think they suggest you drive 2500 miles and then do it again if you like......then go back to syn oil of you were using it..............I have done the seafoam oil, fuel and brake line a few times with good results.......with the seafoam there is a chance of fouling our plugs and o2 sensors.....my 2cents

 

[Lrpalo]

I used seafoam on my engine through the fuel, vacuum system, oil and it made a huge difference. I put about 1/4 can of seafoam in the oil and drove it for about 10-15 miles and changed the oil and when I took the filter off it was heavy compared to any other time that I have changed it so I am assuming it cleaned up the engine. I chose seafoam because it was about the only engine treatment that I had not heard bad things about.

 

[SinnTax]

thanks for input, any others?

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Why do you think you have a sludge problem?

You'll be better off pouring in some sea foam before changing you oil, and change the oil more often 2-3 times, like every 2-3k miles. Also, doing a few plain oil changes with cheap oil in rapid succession (few hundred miles) can clean out a lot of junk, but it wont do much for varnish or deposits.

Pouring in a pint of diesel oil and letting the engine idle for maybe 5-10 minutes before draining the oil is a really good cleaner. Just dont try to drive it or rev it, diesel is a good cleaner but a lousy lubricant.

 

[freerider6_9]

Why do you think you have a sludge problem?

You'll be better off pouring in some sea foam before changing you oil, and change the oil more often 2-3 times, like every 2-3k miles. Also, doing a few plain oil changes with cheap oil in rapid succession (few hundred miles) can clean out a lot of junk, but it wont do much for varnish or deposits.

Pouring in a pint of diesel oil and letting the engine idle for maybe 5-10 minutes before draining the oil is a really good cleaner. Just dont try to drive it or rev it, diesel is a good cleaner but a lousy lubricant.

Actually diesel has lubricants mixed in it, to lube the lift pump, inj.pump, and injectors.

 

[97RangerXLT]

like elleshootiger says, why do you think you have a sludge problem?

If you think there is an issue, get about 15 qts of cheapo oil and 3 cheap filters and change the oil every 1000 miles. as mentioned above, that will clean things out too, and it will do it naturally.

But if you have changed your oil every 3-5k miles and have not overheated the truck, your engine should be pretty clean. my truck at 137k looked nice and shiny with no deposits in it when I changed my valve cover gaskets and intake gasket.

AJ

 

[terryduanemiller]

I use diesel

Actually diesel has lubricants mixed in it, to lube the lift pump, inj.pump, and injectors.

I have use diesel to remove sludge. trans fluid will work too

 

[SinnTax]

I have a product made by 'Gunk' that is to be added to old oil before I change the oil, then ran for 5 min, then continue to change the oil.

I have heard stories of these products breaking loose to much material and causing damage and/or plugging the oil pick up screen. Just curious if anyone has suffered problems from the PREcleaners or am I just over worrying?

truck I have shows 50k miles, I have had it for 10k, would imagine that it has flipped twice. not clear on prior maintenance. It is a 4.0v6.

Thinking I'm just going to pick up a Oil pan gasket and check everything out after use before new oil.

Any other thoughts?

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Actually diesel has lubricants mixed in it, to lube the lift pump, inj.pump, and injectors.

It does have lubricants in it, but they are not strong enough to withstand the pressures around your bearings while under load, all you need is to have the crank strike the bearing a few times and you're looking at rebuild.

trans fluid will work too

Think I've heard its not a good thing to use inside the engine.

Thinking I'm just going to pick up a Oil pan gasket and check everything out after use before new oil.

Pull a valve cover and see how clean it is, if its just some varnishing, I wouldnt worry about it. If there is sludge, do a few cheap oil changes first to dissolve and flush it out, then use other treatments. You do not want everything being loosened all at once.

If you want to change the oil pan gasket, you might as well clean or change the oil pump pickup, or even the oil pump while you're down there.

 

[pcollins]

With the diesel and trans fluid, its not like your filling the whole engine up with it, just a cup of it running for about a hundred miles won't hurt anything, and will do a bit of cleaning.

 

[Tedybear]

Be careful with this. Older engines in a way need that "varnish" build up on the bearings and such. It's the only thing still holding 'em within tolerances.

Back in the day we had a "Kero-Flush" done to a chevy van with a L6. While it did remove a ton of crap? (shop did it 3 times...the filters where heavy as stones each time). The engine started having problems when 'hot' maintaining decent oil pressure. I found out via an engine rebuilder that the varnish built up on the bearings most likely washed away...larger tolerances....and when oil is thin?--such as a hot day and engine at temp...It really had an effect.

This may or may not apply in a lot of cases---But I'd urge just doing a rapid set of oil/filter changes (New oil--Stronger detergents...old oil--detergents break down) Might be the safest way to go.

S-

 

[modelageek]

Tedybear. What. About the idea of running Diesel 15w40 for 1500 miles

 

[Blacked-Out FX4]

Tedybear. What. About the idea of running Diesel 15w40 for 1500 miles

I'm not too sure how much that will clean considering its a heavier and thicker oil. I would think it might clog or bog the system up more. But if its not the case, would someone correct me please?

 

[modelageek]

Ithink 1 gallon of diesel oil has less oil and more cleaner/additives then standard oil. Maybe if you ran it in the summer it would work.
I dont know for sure that is why I was asking