severe sludge accumulation in low-mileage engine (video)

[NibbanaBanana]

I like the big sump on the Tacoma, combined with pretty good mileage!

The 3-quart capacity of the little Mitsu sounds scary until you consider how little fuel it uses.

This got me thinking about my van (4th-gen Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.3 pushrod engine and 4-speed automatic) vs the 5th-gen with the 3.6 DOHC Pentastar and 6-speed auto.

The newer gen gets really good mileage compared to mine, using about 25% less fuel, and has more oil capacity (5.6 l vs. 4.7 l).

I can see how longer oil-change intervals could be justified with Pentastar, perhaps 7,500 km in the winter and 15,000 for highway driving.

I was a little concerned about the Mitsubishi even though I had 2 Geo Metros with 3 qt sumps that both got high miles. 185K and 186K miles before rotting to death. So I did an oil change after 3000 miles. No oil analysis other than my own observation. But I considered it to be a complete waste of good Mobil 1. The oil looked next to new, wasn't even very dirty and was still good and thick. I'll be trying a 5000 OCI next time and see how it looks.

I did the same on the Moto Guzzi after 2000 miles and won't be repeating. That Castrol Edge 10w-60 is some stout oil.

I did a break in oil change on the Tacoma just to get that water thin 0w out. Had some visible metalic glitter in there so I'm glad I did it. And I really babied that truck for that first 1000 miles too. Recently towed a 2000lb trailer over the Pocono mountains on a hot day at 65mph. Coolant temp stayed the same. Transmission temp stayed the same. Only thing that changed was the oil temp raised up a few bars above where it normally lives. Cooled down once I was on the flat. I'm probably going to change it at 5000 miles and see how it looks.

I did 7500 mile OCI's in the last 4 new cars I've bought and the good old Mobil 1 5w-30 is working it's magic. Over 272K miles on the Aveo, still runs perfectly and no oil consumption. I think the new oils are so good that these previously considered super long recommended OCI's maybe won't be a problem after all. Although I don't think I'll be trying 10K OCI's in the turbo Tacoma.

 

[MrkofXcellence]

GM recommends 33 miles equivalent per engine one hour. Seems like a maintenance schedule based on that metric should come into play in a situation like this.

 

[Number_35]

GM recommends 33 miles equivalent per engine one hour. Seems like a maintenance schedule based on that metric should come into play in a situation like this.

Applying GM's equivalent to the security car in question, the oil would be racking up the equivalent of c. 4000 miles/week.

On that basis, I would be changing oil every two weeks, regardless of low mileage on the odometer.

 

[Urshurak776]

And here I am changing oil at 500 miles on a new vehicle. Opposite side of crazy.

My son’s brand new Mazda 3 in signature has like 350 miles on it and I’m itching already. I’m the guy in the straight jacket sitting across the room from you in the looney bin!

 

[Mainia]

First off, this is one of the worst choices of a car manufacture choice to be used in this way. Hyundai/Kia are the #1 top manufactures that need top level preventative maintenance in the industry, now that Yugo is no longer in North America.

I would think that car never technically got broke in. They bought it, waited till the vinyl logo scheme was on and threw it into "idle service" and driving at or just above idle in the parking lots. Glazed cylinders and rings that never set to the cylinder had to be another key issue to the death spiral. This engine was a TOP LEVEL blow by Queen on day 30.

Another thing came to mind was, wouldn't "the security industry" they most likely go to seminars for the owners, bring automotive care if your "job site" is just sitting? This would be a very well known issue to that form of "just sitting security monitoring".

All this company would of needed was an owner or employee driving the NEW car HARD for 1,500 -2,000 miles as their to and from work loaner car before putting it into "idle service." Then use a quality oil extractor to change the oil every 3 weeks with an oil filter change every other oil change. Get a privater mobile mechanic to do it to all the cars in the lot, so no hassles constantly flipping cars to a distant garage.

 

[Number_35]

Then use a quality oil extractor to change the oil every 3 weeks with an oil filter change every other oil change. Get a privater mobile mechanic to do it to all the cars in the lot, so no hassles constantly flipping cars to a distant garage.

Way back in my days as an oil/lube/tune-up tech, the boss arranged a deal with the public telco to service their vans.

The vans were short-wheelbase domestics, Dodge, Ford, and Chevy, typically with an inline-6.

The telco employees would drive them over early evening, and we would stay late to do oil changes and chassis lubes. The telco fleet yard was not too far away, within a mile or two.

I would write out the oil change stickers in advance, except for mileage.

We regularly charged $14.88 for oil, lube, and filter , but I think the boss gave a fleet discount, perhaps $12.

We used bulk Esso 10W-30 and Fram filters.

*******

It would be much easier to maintain the vans now, using an extractor pump as you said. I suspect the filters could have been accessed from underneath, without ramps.

The only drawback would be hauling oil over rather than dispensing it from the big drum.

Anyway, there's no excuse for the security company to not maintain its vehicles.