Engine sludge
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Engine sludge
I have a 77 F150 with the 400M engine. It has been sitting for a while and I am starting the long process of making it road worthy again. When I drained the oil it had all kinds of sludge in it. I went ahead and dropped the pan and cleaned it out. I also removed the valve covers and there are a lot of chunks up top as well. Is there an additive or anything that anyone has had good luck with as I am hoping I can run something through there a few times to clean it up a little...let me know if you have any advice. Thanks!
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
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Another additive that I've heard to help clean the engine is Seafoam. I have used Seafoam in my gas tank and sucked it up through my brake booster, but have never put it in my oil. It is supposed to clean your engine. They suggest you put it in your oil and run it for about 30 miles, then change the oil.
There's a lot of hype about Auto-RX to clean your engine. But I have never used any of their products. You can read about Auto-RX on bobistheoilguy forum. They talk about it a lot.
I really don't believe in putting any chemicals in engine oil. Do your homework before adding any chemical to your oil.
There's a lot of hype about Auto-RX to clean your engine. But I have never used any of their products. You can read about Auto-RX on bobistheoilguy forum. They talk about it a lot.
I really don't believe in putting any chemicals in engine oil. Do your homework before adding any chemical to your oil.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
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I would be careful about the engine cleaners. I have heard stories about the engine dying after a 'cleaning'. I think what you did is good, drain and get rid of all you can mechanically, then buy some inexpensive oil and a couple good filters and run it a few miles to get it hot, then change the oil a few times.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Middle TN
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Whenever I want and engine clean, I run Rotella T and a quart of Tranny fluid for a couple hundred miles and then do an oil change and go one bottle of Lucas and Rotella T
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From: Wingo, Ky
If that engine is sludged up real bad and a high milage engine(which im sure it is) cleaning it out good could possibly make her die shortly down the road. I would just switch it over to Rotella T and drain it a couple times.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Athens, GA
I've used the rotella also. It cleaned the motor well, but it probably loosened up some of the stuff that was sealing it up. Good oil though. Also the marvel would work well, I think its similar to trans fluid so the above comments would apply. Anyway I'd say after cleaning it as you have done, just run it and change the oil frequently. Oh yeah and don't use Fram filters... at least not the regular ones. Personally I wouldn't use any of them. I know this is about the most non-scientific evidence there is but I have never seen my dipstick get so dirty so quickly. (I know, I know, Flame Away...)
Josh
Josh
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Thanks for all the advice guys.....I'm not sure what I'll do yet but I'm leaning towards laying off the additives for now....I guess I should focus on getting it started before I even have to worry about how clean the engine is. Ha, thanks again!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Mobil 1 will do a good job of cleaning it out. It will also probably make it leak from every seal too.
Contrary to popular belief though the oil does not ruin the seals. The seals are already gone and the gunk is filling in the gap. When you remove the gunk, then it starts to leak.
Contrary to popular belief though the oil does not ruin the seals. The seals are already gone and the gunk is filling in the gap. When you remove the gunk, then it starts to leak.