possible sluge problem advice Gm 4.3 please help

[nomochevys]

I dont post much but I think I have a mess on my hands. Its a 96 GMC 4.3. The last oil change was done at 2.5 years and 2500 miles. Before that as I looked further back it was another 3 years! Its not driven much at all except to the dump and home depot ect....

When I changed it the last time clumps came out and I cut the oil filter(delco) open and it was full of sludge.

I put back in mobile clean 5000 and a delco filter. Its my Dads truck and they dont drive it hardly at all. Its still sitting where I parked it a few weeks ago. They only use it when needed. My Mom hates it and wont ride in it unless she has no choice. So it sits and sits. When its used its short tripped to death.

The engine runs good with no noises. Everything on this truck has failed at least once except the engine. It was bought new and it has been used trust me.

We had Mobil 1 synthetic in it but I need to know what oils are the best cleaners. I wanted to put pennoil or motor craft back in it but we didnt have time and they were were too expensive. So, I put mobile clean 5000 in it.

Do you think I should look for something like auto rx? I dont know much about additives. I just want some honest advice. I dont want to ruin this engine. The truck has been a piece of [censored] but the engine has been good.

 

[Bill in Utah]

DO nothing but freq oil changes with any SM/SN rated oil (The mobil 5000 is a EXCELLENT oil (Mobil's best IMO)) and DRIVE the vehicle enough to warm up the oil. MAKE SURE that when you decide to change the oil (I'd prob go 500 miles or no more than a few months MAX) get the oil warm (at least 30 min DRIVE (idling does not count) and drain.

Change the filter each time (try to get a PF52 size) and keep doing that for a few short changes. If you want to do any adds, MMO would be my suggestion but only towards the end of the OCI.

That will get it cleaned up and then stay on top of the oil changes. No more 2+ year OCI... Let's stick with a 6month OCI with any 5w30 conventional. Syn will not help you here a bit.

Bill

 

[tig1]

With that kind of sludge you may have the lower intake manifold leaking coolant into the oil. This is one of the few reasons to do a used oil analysis.

 

[Pablo]

Wow - good thing you didn't try that with conventional oil.

You must have a nasty coolant leak or some other problem. Synthetic oil can last 3 years, and 2500 miles is nothing. Just do 3 or 4 quick changes with cheapie conventional oil....do a used oil analysis on one of them if you can get 1000 miles+.

 

[oggb]

Keep in mind if you clean it up *too* quickly you could block the oil pickup with sludge and that'd be a much more serious problem.

If you're determined to clean it up I'd guess Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra would do what you're looking for.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: JRed
KIf you're determined to clean it up I'd guess Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra would do what you're looking for.


x2

Or you could substitute 20% of your Mobil 5000 with MMO.

 

[nomochevys]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
DO nothing but freq oil changes with any SM/SN rated oil (The mobil 5000 is a EXCELLENT oil (Mobil's best IMO)) and DRIVE the vehicle enough to warm up the oil. MAKE SURE that when you decide to change the oil (I'd prob go 500 miles or no more than a few months MAX) get the oil warm (at least 30 min DRIVE (idling does not count) and drain.

Change the filter each time (try to get a PF52 size) and keep doing that for a few short changes. If you want to do any adds, MMO would be my suggestion but only towards the end of the OCI.

That will get it cleaned up and then stay on top of the oil changes. No more 2+ year OCI... Let's stick with a 6month OCI with any 5w30 conventional. Syn will not help you here a bit.

Bill


Thank you Bill in utah. The darn thing does not get driven much but I thank you for your advice. We may put pennoil or motorcrat in it next. Do you think it would make any difference? We have aa lot of Pf 52 delco filters so we will be using them.

The one I cut open was a mess. It had sluged at the bottom of it. Im certanly no expert and that is why I am hear and that is to learn.

Can you give me some indication on how you feel about m 1 clean 5000? I have never ever used it. What should we use in the future for cleaning? I was just sick when I pulled the drain plug and got clumps. I say again the motor runs perfect the best I czn tell.

I want all and any advice. Thank you.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: nomochevys
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
DO nothing but freq oil changes with any SM/SN rated oil (The mobil 5000 is a EXCELLENT oil (Mobil's best IMO)) and DRIVE the vehicle enough to warm up the oil. MAKE SURE that when you decide to change the oil (I'd prob go 500 miles or no more than a few months MAX) get the oil warm (at least 30 min DRIVE (idling does not count) and drain.

Change the filter each time (try to get a PF52 size) and keep doing that for a few short changes. If you want to do any adds, MMO would be my suggestion but only towards the end of the OCI.

That will get it cleaned up and then stay on top of the oil changes. No more 2+ year OCI... Let's stick with a 6month OCI with any 5w30 conventional. Syn will not help you here a bit.

Bill


Thank you Bill in utah. The darn thing does not get driven much but I thank you for your advice. We may put pennoil or motorcrat in it next. Do you think it would make any difference? We have aa lot of Pf 52 delco filters so we will be using them.

The one I cut open was a mess. It had sluged at the bottom of it. Im certanly no expert and that is why I am hear and that is to learn.

Can you give me some indication on how you feel about m 1 clean 5000? I have never ever used it. What should we use in the future for cleaning? I was just sick when I pulled the drain plug and got clumps. I say again the motor runs perfect the best I czn tell.

I want all and any advice. Thank you.


The Mobil 5000 or Pennzoil will be fine. Can you describe the "sludge"? Any chance of photos of the sludge or filter?

 

[blackdiamond]

Can you borrow the truck for a few weeks and drive it to work for them? Sounds like short OCIs using conventional would be the first step. After it cleans up a bit, synthetics might make for a good next step to continue the cleaning.

Maybe Valvoline Maxlife would be a great option. It's pretty inexpensive at Walmart for a blend oil.

If it doesn't get driven nothing will really change.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: blackdiamond
Can you borrow the truck for a few weeks and drive it to work for them? Sounds like short OCIs using conventional would be the first step. After it cleans up a bit, synthetics might make for a good next step to continue the cleaning.
.
.
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If it doesn't get driven nothing will really change.


+1. If they want it to last, it needs to be driven.

You asked earlier about AutoRX. I've used it, and it works as advertised. But you have to drive the vehicle. O