Sludge Oil Pump

[Nick1421]

I have had a problem in the past with sludge. Now I need to pull the oil pan and clean pump screen. Anyone know an easy method short of almost pulling motor? Am planning on replacing pump while I am in there!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Try some motor flush or seafoam first before making a big job out of it.

 

[trucku]

You can also take a look at http://www.auto-rx.com/

http://www.auto-rx.com/pages/applications2.htm

I have read good things about its performance in cleaning out sludge from an engine.

 

[Nick1421]

Thanx for the responses folks. 1st off done the motor flush numerous times, just does't work as wellas they say it does. @nd the seafoam did even less (lol). I think I am going to try the AutoRX seems to be getting some pretty good revues. Hopefully I don't have to drop the pan ( not looking forward to it). But alas I believe the pump is on it's way out and may not have a choice. Just don't want to have to pull the motor if I don't have too. The manufacturer made it way harder than necessary. Hmmm so thats how they make thier money!!! :

 

[tiler321]

oil flush

a mechanic once used trans fluid to clean out a ford engine. took three filters and oil changes to fix the sludge

 

[trucku]

a mechanic once used trans fluid to clean out a ford engine. took three filters and oil changes to fix the sludge

Were these three procedures done with the engine only at idle or was the vehicle driven? How long did it take?


I am now over a 1000miles into my auto-rx cleaning cycle. By summer it should be starting the rinse phase. I will post pics of the TP filter and weigh the 2 full flows.

You can use cheap dino oil during the cleaning and rinse cycle.

 

[gijoecam]

What makes you think you have a sludge problem in the first place?

I can't believe people have sludge issues. The detergents in most modern oils have the ability to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here's the inside of mine after 120,000 miles. I've done nothing to it except change the oil every 3000 miles. (My oil pan rusted through, that's the only reason I had it off)

No sludge anywhere to be seen.

Oh, and to answer the original question, if you have a SOHC motor, there is no need to pull the engine to gain access to the oil pump pickup screen. Drop the pan and it's right there.

-Joe

 

[Schmitty]

sludge

I took my '98 with 133k miles to a mechanic to have the timing chains and tensioner replaced (noisy, tensioner had been replaced under warranty 10 years ago). He showed me the sludge under the left valve cover and said that oil wasn't getting to the top of the head. He said it's not worth fixing unless I want to replace the engine comletely. He offered me $300 dollars for the car and will not charge me for the labor so far. I'm wondering if I should do the timing chains anyway (requires pulling the motor) and try cleaning the sludge of the head and valve cover. What do you think?

 

[Verno]

I took my '98 with 133k miles to a mechanic to have the timing chains and tensioner replaced (noisy, tensioner had been replaced under warranty 10 years ago). He showed me the sludge under the left valve cover and said that oil wasn't getting to the top of the head. He said it's not worth fixing unless I want to replace the engine comletely. He offered me $300 dollars for the car and will not charge me for the labor so far. I'm wondering if I should do the timing chains anyway (requires pulling the motor) and try cleaning the sludge of the head and valve cover. What do you think?

If this is your only problem then your truck is worth lots moe than the $300 he was offering, maybe he wants it to fix for himself!

 

[markoloma]

i bought a 01 xlt with serious sludge but the engine also has a pretty loud tick/knock...would the sludge be the reason to the knock..if so is it fixable or do i have to pull the engine?..