engine sludge / depoisits?

[crazycrak]

Is engine sludge and depoisits cause by poor maitnice (not changing the oil etc.) or is it caused by the oil there selfs. I have so much [censored] like switching oil brands will cause a engine to gum up and that some brands are bad for causing slug.

what is correct I belive keeping the oil changed with a good oil such as Castrol GTX Havoline DS Valvoline Prem. or Mobil 1 is the best way to prolong engine life and keep it clean

 

[Johnny]

You are correct. Poor maintenance is the number one cause of engine sludge. Unless it was a poor design like has happened in the last few years.

 

[rg200amp]

+1 Johnny.

Poor maintenance is the cause.

Switching oil brands WILL NOT cause sludge.

You have to change the oil when it needs to be changed. Thats it. Your owners book will tell you how often to change the oil. You can get a UOA to see if you can go longer.

Use any oil that meets newer API specs.

 

[Mark888]

Certain oils are more forgiving in situations where sludge is more likely to occur, such as the Toyota V6 engines of a few years ago (as a result of a class action lawsuit regarding sludge, Toyota extended the warranty on these engines). In that particular engine, frequent oil changes of just about any certified oil would prevent sludge, but when you get much past 7500 miles (5000 for severe service) then synthetic oils did much better than conventional oils in preventing sludge.

If Castrol claims that GTX is better at preventing sludge than any synthetic, or even most synthetic blends, then that is pure advertising bunk (and I own a fair amount of BP stock).

If you think sludge might be an issue for your vehicle, I would highly recommend even the cheapest synthetic, even the Walmart house brand will work well.

 

[sparkplug]

I ran GTX for 40k in my 3.4 Camaro and when I replaced that pesky lower intake gasket the valvetrain and brown varnish and there was some [censored] around the lifters. The motor was clean before. PCV was new. Maybe the L32 doesn't like Castrol.

 

[tig1]

Mobil 1 has kept my Ford engines very clean. My Mercury has 209,000 miles and is very clean through the oil fill hole at 10,000 Oci.

 

[mechtech2]

Bad PCV systems, high heat, worn engine, then old/bad oil.
That is my sludge probability order.

 

[FrankN4]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Mobil 1 has kept my Ford engines very clean. My Mercury has 209,000 miles and is very clean through the oil fill hole at 10,000 Oci.

My wife just turned over 209,000 on her 99 Cavalier on Mobil 1. No leak, no seep, no use, runs great.