I replaced leaky valve cover gaskets on my wife's 2005 Honda Pilot a few days ago. Has 198K on the odometer. For several years I would use whatever synthetic was on sale at Walmart, but over the past few years almost exclusively Supertech synthetic 5w-20. We've owned the Pilot since new and it always gets an oil change around 5000 - 6000 miles.
To my surprise, the front valve train had sludge deposits (closest to the radiator), but the rear valve train was spotless (near the firewall). This vehicle is mostly driven short distances, and maybe once a week gets a 15-20 mile drive.
I thought changing the oil at 5K intervals and using synthetic would prevent sludge buildup, but looks like I was wrong. Today I filled it with Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w-20 hoping the claimed extra detergents will cleanup some of this. Do any of you experts know why sludge is only on the front valve train? Thanks for your help.
To my surprise, the front valve train had sludge deposits (closest to the radiator), but the rear valve train was spotless (near the firewall). This vehicle is mostly driven short distances, and maybe once a week gets a 15-20 mile drive.
I thought changing the oil at 5K intervals and using synthetic would prevent sludge buildup, but looks like I was wrong. Today I filled it with Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w-20 hoping the claimed extra detergents will cleanup some of this. Do any of you experts know why sludge is only on the front valve train? Thanks for your help.
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