Limited time, need reasonable opinion...

[TallPaul]

As Drew99GT noted and demarpaint re-iterated, get the cooling system pressure tested to see if it's leaking.

Fire up the engine when it's cold, hasn't run all night. Then if the radiator hose pressurizes in a short time, well before the coolant can heat up and pressurize, then you will know that combustion pressure is leaking into the coolant, and thus coolant also is leaking into the oil. Not sure it this always happens, as a slow enough gasket leak may not pressurize as quickly, so try this, but also get the standard cooling system pressure test which is very simple, they just screw a pressure gauge on where the radiator cap goes, pump it up and see if it holds.

 

[demarpaint]

The pressure tester is a good tool to have, and when I buy a used car I bring one with me. I've walked away from a few cars over the years as a result of testing the cooling system.

 

[genynnc]

Wow... thanks everyone for the replies! Uhm... so here's what happened. After I noticed this sludge problem I immediately went through the truck looking for service records... apparently last year the previous owner had most of the top end replaced.

From what I read in the service records, the driver's side cylinder head cracked, engine overheated, etc... so I saw on the invoice where the parts were itemized and a 'head set' was charged for, so I assume the cylinder head gasket and intake manifold gaskets were replaced along with a new head and other itmes.

I did look at dropping the pan but I didn't have time, looks like engine might have to be loosed from the mounts and pulled up via a engine hoist in order for the pan to clear the crossmember... not sure if that's the case but I simply didn't have time.

So, I did pick up some ST filters, some q-state 5w-30, some MMO, and some rotella. I added a full quart of the MMO with the rotella. Then told dad to change it at 1000 miles. Then told him to do a .5 quart of MMO and Q-state run for a 2,000 mile change, then fill with just Q-state (no MMO) for a 3,000 mile interval. And I called him this morning and told him to go have the cooling system pressure tested.

I did want to stay away from additives but maybe this an extreme case where you have to try anything to get some of the [censored] out of there?

 

[addyguy]

Sounds like a good plan. Should get it clean and running fine....