I broke my old engine down yesterday and found it had sludge in the oil pan and under the valve covers, so thick it had the oil pump pick-up screen stopped up. What causes this? Remember all I bought the truck used and in the shape it is in, got a good deal on it only $600.00 for the truck. I WILL run Mobile 1 oil in the new Engine.

 

What kind of oil did you run in the old engine?

 

Lack of oil changes, extended periods of sitting exposed to the elements, lack of long-run trips, exposure to extreme conditions (dusty/dirty) and lastly, incorrect weight or bad oil brand choices.
Just my few thoughts, --Mike

 

Andym, I bought the truck a few months ago, I do not know what oil was used.

 

Ok, I didn't want to lead you into an answer, so I didn't say it before. Pennzoil will cause this as well, even if you change the oil every 3k miles. I don't know why people even use it.

 

Not using castrol motor oil will cause sludge buildup, according to their commercials

 

It hasn't caused any sludge in any of my motors for the past 25 years

Sludge buildup is either a crappy oil, or never changing it.

The oil itself might contain paraffin and other waxes, and if it isn't changed often enough, that stuff will buildup over time. And if the oil has enough of that stuff in it in the first place, changing it often won't help.

Use a good quality oil, and you won't have a problem.

 

Pennzoil or any other oil that meets SAE standards will not cause sludge build up. That comes from not changing the oil regularly. Running an engine to cool can contribute to sludge too, especially on the top end.

 

Non-op PCV will help build it up, but this sounds like a combo of things..

 

Plus 1. Mainly moisture build up. Also, there is nothing wrong with Pennzoil. Old wives tale. jd

 

Exactly.

I've been running pennzoil for every car I've owned. My dad and grandfather have both ran it with none of this "build up" stuff everyones talking about.

When I opened up the 351 in my bronco there was NO sludge. This is with 158K miles. My dad's truck was opened up at 160K miles and it looked so clean you could eat off of it. He bought the truck new and put ever mile on it with pennzoil. This is just silly.

Matt

 

+1 on the PCV valve. A gummed up PCV will cause all manner of gunk, crud and ooze to accumulate in your engine.

If the engine has an aftermarket type air filter, check to see what was done with the PCV hose.

 

Has anyone had any success in finding the coolant leaking into the oil, making the repair, flushing the motor with kerosene or motor flush?
Or is damage immediate in the motor from the coolant in oil?