Sludge advice please

[Tuscani]

I have a e60 525d 2007 upon changing the valve cover gasket I was met with this sludge now I got the car in may 2021 and changed all fluids and it’s been running ok.

Is there anything I can do I’m hesitant on using engine flush.

As you can see in the pics it’s missed a few services.

Thanks.

 

[wpod]

History on car as to why it sludged up?

 

[Tuscani]

History on car as to why it sludged up?

No idea, was a trade in I believe, i did not get much history for the car was bought as a project really as it needed some things doing to it, but since purchase its been running well just that I seen all this sludge and want to try and clean it up a little.

car is a weekend casual car only goes out 1 or 2 times a week since last oil change only done around 1500 miles.

thanks.

more info

Mileage 150k
DPF Deleted
EGR Deleted
Remapped
Just had a new turbo

 

[FowVay]

Some folks change the oil in their vehicles every 30,000 miles whether it needs it or not. It's going to be traded in soon so why go to the bother and expense of maintenance?

 

[Astro14]

Run this:

Engine Cleaner

HPL Engine Cleaner is designed for those who wish to clean deposits in their engines left behind from commodity type lubricants that are designed to “meet the spec.” Engine Cleaner is specially formulated and fortified with detergents and dispersants providing safe cleaning in the engine. When...

www.advlubrication.com

or this

Euro Passenger Car Engine Oil

High Performance Lubricants’ Euro passenger car engine oil is a multi-synthetic high performance motor oil made with the best choices of additive chemistry. This series takes advantage of high quality PAO base oils delivering superb pour points as well as an advanced VI Improver that has...

www.advlubrication.com

change your filter often. I would’ve suggested that you clean what you can before putting the cover back on, but now that it’s on, clean it slowly by using an oil (linked above) that works well for cleaning. Because it works well, the filter will get loaded up quickly. I’d change the filter every 1-2,000 while you clean it up.

See these threads:

HPL cleaning 2013 Hyundai Elantra - cut filter element

This is the Fram Ultra filter element from our 2013 Hyundai Elantra with 115,000 miles on the clock. The oil is HLP 5w-20 HDEO that was in service for 10,000 miles the filter was also in service for the entire 10,000 miles. These pictures reinforce the need for a filter change or two during a...

bobistheoilguy.com

Dodge Durango 3.6L - HPL CJ-4 5w-20 - 26,015 miles on oil

This is a sample pulled from my Durango 3.6L with 137,615 miles total and 26,015 miles on the oil. Consumption was zero during this entire 26,000 mile run, which is a change from previous runs that had consumption of about 1/2 quart per 5,000 miles. E85 was used for about 5,000 miles of the...

bobistheoilguy.com

 

[Astro14]

You might as Dave @High Performance Lubricants what he recommends.

Your engine is awfully sludged up.

But HPL oils have done significant cleaning in already clean engines, and I believe they would help clean up yours as well. The base oils (which include Esters and Alkylated Napthalene) are part of why they clean so much better than other products.

 

[Tuscani]

Run this:

Engine Cleaner

HPL Engine Cleaner is designed for those who wish to clean deposits in their engines left behind from commodity type lubricants that are designed to “meet the spec.” Engine Cleaner is specially formulated and fortified with detergents and dispersants providing safe cleaning in the engine. When...

www.advlubrication.com

or this

Euro Passenger Car Engine Oil

High Performance Lubricants’ Euro passenger car engine oil is a multi-synthetic high performance motor oil made with the best choices of additive chemistry. This series takes advantage of high quality PAO base oils delivering superb pour points as well as an advanced VI Improver that has...

www.advlubrication.com

change your filter often. I would’ve suggested that you clean what you can before putting the cover back on, but now that it’s on, clean it slowly by using an oil (linked above) that works well for cleaning. Because it works well, the filter will get loaded up quickly. I’d change the filter every 1-2,000 while you clean it up.

See these threads:

HPL cleaning 2013 Hyundai Elantra - cut filter element

This is the Fram Ultra filter element from our 2013 Hyundai Elantra with 115,000 miles on the clock. The oil is HLP 5w-20 HDEO that was in service for 10,000 miles the filter was also in service for the entire 10,000 miles. These pictures reinforce the need for a filter change or two during a...

bobistheoilguy.com

Dodge Durango 3.6L - HPL CJ-4 5w-20 - 26,015 miles on oil

This is a sample pulled from my Durango 3.6L with 137,615 miles total and 26,015 miles on the oil. Consumption was zero during this entire 26,000 mile run, which is a change from previous runs that had consumption of about 1/2 quart per 5,000 miles. E85 was used for about 5,000 miles of the...

bobistheoilguy.com

I have already manually cleaned up as much as I can.

 

[doublebase]

I would physically remove as much sludge as I could up top and then hope for the best. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable running an engine flush through something like that.

 

[Astro14]

I have already manually cleaned up as much as I can.

Very good. Didn’t know that.

Still going to be lots you can’t see.

I would still run HPL and change that filter REALLY often.

 

[Tuscani]

BTW I'm in the UK so can't get HPL products i don't think.

 

[GSCJR]

BMW approved oil at regular intervals; don't "shock" it with any flushes.

 

[930.engineering]

.
Do as many short intervals as your budget allows and your patience lasts.
I perhaps would consider using a dedicated flush product prior to the drain.
.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

IIRC Redline is sold in the UK. It is advertised as having high ester content which will clean things up. Not cheap obviously because it's import.

Ravenol has a REP/RUP "Racing" oil which is LL04 and advertised to contain esters.

High Mileage oils (HM) may also help and might be cheaper.

Old old school would be to fill the engine with diesel fuel. Let it sit for a couple of days. DO NOT RUN ENGINE. Drain it.
Fill with cheap oil and new filter. Let it idle for 15-30 mins. Dump it.
Fill with your oil of choice (LL01/LL04) and a new filter.

No EGR and no DPF to worry about.

 

[Shel_B]

I have already manually cleaned up as much as I can.

How did you clean it? Where did the sludge go?

 

[atikovi]

I have a e60 525d 2007 upon changing the valve cover gasket I was met with this sludge now I got the car in may 2021 and changed all fluids and it’s been running ok.

Is there anything I can do I’m hesitant on using engine flush.

As you can see in the pics it’s missed a few services.

Thanks.

That looks almost as bad as my Cadillac did.

 

[Passport1]

If you can find this, it works great and it is inexpensive.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

I would think regular engine oil in the recommended viscosity would work. Then drive it for a long road trip. Get the engine warmed up and allow lots of circulating oil to remove the sludge. Change the oil pretty frequently to help aid the process.

just my $0.02

 

[Tuscani]

How did you clean it? Where did the sludge go?

Used a rag and picked it off was gooey.

 

[Shel_B]

I am neither advocating nor disparaging this, just presenting it:

 

[Tuscani]