Hi,I am looking for oil/filter recommendations for my new to me 2004 Tahoe 4x4 with 5.3 with 144,000 miles on the ticker.A tire dealer owned it so I assumed he kept up with oil changes,well after I drained the oil I was mortified to find sludge.The filter was about 1/3 full of it and couple globs came out of the oil pan.The filter was a valvoline and the sticker said Valvoline conventional was used previously.I put Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 and a pure one filter.Driving habits ? very varied,its used for short trips to take kids to school in the mornings 15 miles round trip and to tow our 3300lb boat/trailer on weekends and it the traveling vehicle(just did a 1500 mile round trip).
New here new to me vehicle
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Originally Posted By: Nitrosnoopy
Hi,I am looking for oil/filter recommendations for my new to me 2004 Tahoe 4x4 with 5.3 with 144,000 miles on the ticker.A tire dealer owned it so I assumed he kept up with oil changes,well after I drained the oil I was mortified to find sludge.
Didn't you pull the dipstick when you looked at it?
Hi,I am looking for oil/filter recommendations for my new to me 2004 Tahoe 4x4 with 5.3 with 144,000 miles on the ticker.A tire dealer owned it so I assumed he kept up with oil changes,well after I drained the oil I was mortified to find sludge.
Didn't you pull the dipstick when you looked at it?
we have one in the shop that came in for a rebuild it has around 240000 miles on it and belongs to a contracting company they are good engines this one overheated and warped the heads still runs
Originally Posted By: Nitrosnoopy
I put Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 and a pure one filter.
That's fine but keep the OCIs short (3-5K) for the next few changes and use a synthetic oil next time (any brand bought on sale).
That should clean up the engine.
I put Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 and a pure one filter.
That's fine but keep the OCIs short (3-5K) for the next few changes and use a synthetic oil next time (any brand bought on sale).
That should clean up the engine.
If it were my vehicle I'd get either Kreen or MMO, and start off with adding a pint for the last 1000 miles of a short 3K OCI using conventional oil. Come winter time I'd get a good conventional 5W30 replace a qt of it with a qt of MMO and run it a full 3000 mile OCI. While short OCI's with a good oil might help clean up an engine, they aren't going to clean an engine as well as adding something like Kreen or MMO to the oil.
Change the PCV valve if you haven't [use an OEM replacement part and not something aftermarket] and make sure the head gasket is good.
As you'll soon see opinions vary. Read up on all the cleaners in the oil additive section if you want more info. Good luck and welcome to BITOG!
Change the PCV valve if you haven't [use an OEM replacement part and not something aftermarket] and make sure the head gasket is good.
As you'll soon see opinions vary. Read up on all the cleaners in the oil additive section if you want more info. Good luck and welcome to BITOG!
The Maxlife is fine, but keep the changes very short. I'd keep them at 3,000 miles. It might be a waste, but I'd be more comfortable. There's no sense in using better filters for these short runs either. Get a few Purolator Classics at WM.
After that initial 3,000 you can try to clean it up a bit. Some Kreen might do the trick. Follow the product's instructions.
After that initial 3,000 you can try to clean it up a bit. Some Kreen might do the trick. Follow the product's instructions.
I'm not sure if I would want to throw additives at something with that much sludge; I would be afraid of dislodging it and plugging the pickup tube or oil passages.
Short OCIs with good detergent oil is what I'd do.
Short OCIs with good detergent oil is what I'd do.
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: Nitrosnoopy
Hi,I am looking for oil/filter recommendations for my new to me 2004 Tahoe 4x4 with 5.3 with 144,000 miles on the ticker.A tire dealer owned it so I assumed he kept up with oil changes,well after I drained the oil I was mortified to find sludge.
Didn't you pull the dipstick when you looked at it?
Yes I did, and there was no sludge on the dipstick,the oil wasnt terrible looking either
Originally Posted By: Nitrosnoopy
Hi,I am looking for oil/filter recommendations for my new to me 2004 Tahoe 4x4 with 5.3 with 144,000 miles on the ticker.A tire dealer owned it so I assumed he kept up with oil changes,well after I drained the oil I was mortified to find sludge.
Didn't you pull the dipstick when you looked at it?
Yes I did, and there was no sludge on the dipstick,the oil wasnt terrible looking either
Mobil 1 High Mileage
Thank for the help guys.The pcv valve on my vehicle is not replaceable.
I guess I gonna go get some oil and filter and see what happens with this change.
I guess I gonna go get some oil and filter and see what happens with this change.
keep us posted on what you find when you pull the plug this next time.
im nosy.
im nosy.
Did the oil change yesterday at 2500 miles.Sludge was was virtually no sludge in the filter when I cut it open,and no blobs came out of the oil pan.I refilled with maxlife 5-30 and standard purolator filter.Gonna do a 2-2500 mile oci and refill with Mobil 1 High Mileage.
maxlife is some good stuff, using it in our durango now with pure one filters, it seems too like it alot.
Pyb every 3k. Whatever you use Keep it short, and check the filter carefully each change to make sure it's not loaded. Additives aren't necessary.
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