[cut-open] AC Delco PF-47E (Sludge in Center)

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Send the sample to Polaris/OAI rather than B/S. They report oxidation and nitration levels which could be very interesting here.


I plan on sending a sample to ALS Tribology (Wix Kit), since I have some prepaid kits from the last Amazon sale. They test for coolant ("yes/no") and give % water. Those two tests and sodium/potassium, should give me a good idea if coolant is there, cheaply. But the pics suggest something's going on, and my money is on coolant intrusion.

The filter is from his last change, which I found while I was helping him clean out the garage. My Dad is denial mode, so I'm trying to get him on the ball to find the problem and get it fixed.

 

[OilNerd]

***Update***

We dumped the oil back on Oct. 5th, and it "looked" normal. Also, we found coolant leaking from the water pump weep hole, so this may just be a case of old-fashioned sludge from the PO coming out with short OCI's, instead of coolant in the oil.

The new fill has a pint of MMO in it. I cringed as my dad used 10w40, but in fairness, he's trying to use it up and plans to dump the oil after his trip to Florida, next month. At least, the MMO will thin it back down a little.

I also sent a sample to ALS Tribology (Wix kit) on the 5th, but they still haven't received it. I didn't get delivery confirmation on the sample, and just mailed it out in the sample can with metered postage and it now looks like that was a mistake.

I've never had a sample lost before. I usually just stick it in the mailbox to be picked up, as my usual lab, Petroleum Technologies Group has Business Reply Postage on the can. But that's life, I guess.

 

[OilNerd]

*** UPDATE #2 ***

The vehicle continued to consume coolant, even after the water pump was changed.

Turns out, the lower intake manifold gasket was bad, too. Repair was 6 hours labor.

Hopefully, this is the end of the sludge build-up for my father's van.

 

[301]

man,,,,that thing is nasty....

 

[OilNerd]

*** UPDATE #3 ***

The UOA sample results just came in today. It had been so long, I had thought it was lost.

UOA Posted here:
BITOG: Unknown 5w30, 2000 miles, 2003 Chevy Venture

 

[ZeeOSix]

[sarcasm]UOA didn't look too bad. Maybe sludge helps increase the filter's efficiency and sludge put down a better anti-wear barrier that cuts down on engine wear ... LOL. [/sarcasm]