I put a new timing belt in my 98 civic over the weekend and much to my dismay,I found some sludge on the inside of the valve cover and it wasn't very clean either.What's even more troubling is that I am and have been an Amsoil user in this car for several years.Up to this point,I have done a filter and T/O at about 6k and a complete change at 18k.Any insight from anyone would be appreciated.
Sludge in 98 Honda Civic
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Originally Posted By: bluegill
I put a new timing belt in my 98 civic over the weekend and much to my dismay,I found some sludge on the inside of the valve cover and it wasn't very clean either.What's even more troubling is that I am and have been an Amsoil user in this car for several years.Up to this point,I have done a filter and T/O at about 6k and a complete change at 18k.Any insight from anyone would be appreciated.
What is the history of the car?
How many miles? How often was the oil changed before?
How many oil changes have you done with Amsoil?
18K with the same oil, how many times in the several years you have owned the car?
I put a new timing belt in my 98 civic over the weekend and much to my dismay,I found some sludge on the inside of the valve cover and it wasn't very clean either.What's even more troubling is that I am and have been an Amsoil user in this car for several years.Up to this point,I have done a filter and T/O at about 6k and a complete change at 18k.Any insight from anyone would be appreciated.
What is the history of the car?
How many miles? How often was the oil changed before?
How many oil changes have you done with Amsoil?
18K with the same oil, how many times in the several years you have owned the car?
In a civic I find it odd that it would have sludge with amsoil. I must agree with Pablo questions since I have used Amsoil in sludge cars at 2x to 3X the normal, diesels etc and were clean.
I would ask is have you done an past UOA? If not, doing a blind 18K interval is not the best here.
I would ask is have you done an past UOA? If not, doing a blind 18K interval is not the best here.
I would inspect the PCV system.
The car had about 70k on it when I bought it several years ago,it now has 158k.I do not know the frequency of change prior to my ownership but,I have followed the schedule that I described since I have owned it.New filter and T/O every 6k and complete oil change with Amsoil at least once a year.
I would for sure advise that you run a UOA. I would be looking for any sign of coolant.
What did the sludge look like? How thick was it? What consistency and color?
What did the sludge look like? How thick was it? What consistency and color?
What is "T / O"?
Cannot explain it without more info (include city/highway as well), but here are some "tips"
Civics tend to have smaller engines (1.5L to 1.8L) and smaller sumps. Even my CRV only takes little over 3L of oil.
Therefore if you are aggressive style driver and/or drive city (lots of accelerations) then then engine is likely to work very hard.
For my smallest 1.5L Civic engine I go up to 10W30 in summer, but prefer lower viscosity again because small engine works hard enough it doesn't need extra drag from a thick oil.
As for smaller sump, the implication is to avoid longer OCIs. I go up to 6K miles MAX, and that is 80% highway and very gentle driving (lower highway speeds, slower acceleration and such).
I do filter change on 2 OCIs.
Mine is a 1995 Civic 1.5L and a 2001 CRV 2L
Both have clean engines (as far as I can see without opening it)
Cannot explain it without more info (include city/highway as well), but here are some "tips"
Civics tend to have smaller engines (1.5L to 1.8L) and smaller sumps. Even my CRV only takes little over 3L of oil.
Therefore if you are aggressive style driver and/or drive city (lots of accelerations) then then engine is likely to work very hard.
For my smallest 1.5L Civic engine I go up to 10W30 in summer, but prefer lower viscosity again because small engine works hard enough it doesn't need extra drag from a thick oil.
As for smaller sump, the implication is to avoid longer OCIs. I go up to 6K miles MAX, and that is 80% highway and very gentle driving (lower highway speeds, slower acceleration and such).
I do filter change on 2 OCIs.
Mine is a 1995 Civic 1.5L and a 2001 CRV 2L
Both have clean engines (as far as I can see without opening it)
T/O = top off
I really don't think it's a coolant issue.The sludge is basically the color of used motor oil,no milkiness or cloudiness that one would think would be associated with coolant and about the consistency of jelly.Perhaps a stupid question but,is there a PCV valve on my car and where is it,could it be the problem and is it replacable?
Car has 158K miles and only needs a top off every 6K?
Your engine is either in good shape, your top off consists of a quart or more ( which means you allow it get to low
) or something such as coolant or fuel is being introduced to the system to give you a false reading on the dipstick. I admire people that string out the long OCI's, but there is a point of over extending, even with a fine product like Amsoil. With the limited info provided, some of the above suggestions will put you in the right direction. Replace the PVC, run an Auto RX clean cycle, and perhaps shorten your OCI or at least top off when necessary, not just every 6K.
Originally Posted By: bluegill
I really don't think it's a coolant issue.The sludge is basically the color of used motor oil,no milkiness or cloudiness that one would think would be associated with coolant and about the consistency of jelly.Perhaps a stupid question but,is there a PCV valve on my car and where is it,could it be the problem and is it replacable?
Hope this might help:
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=68638
I really don't think it's a coolant issue.The sludge is basically the color of used motor oil,no milkiness or cloudiness that one would think would be associated with coolant and about the consistency of jelly.Perhaps a stupid question but,is there a PCV valve on my car and where is it,could it be the problem and is it replacable?
Hope this might help:
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=68638
I think you should read my post again.I change the oil filter and T/O every 6k.The motor doesn't burn a drop of oil in that time.So,yes,the engine does appear to be in good shape.My OCI's are half of what Amsoil recomends and my complete change is done 6k before they recomend.
Which Amsoil oil are you using?
15K in severe conditions.
15K in severe conditions.
Pablo,I would have to look at the container to say for sure...and I'm not at home now but,it's just the regular Amsoil.I don't think my driving qualifies for severe useage;average 60 miles a day,all highway,very little if any stop and go.When I told the dealer that I purchase from my driving habits,he told me that I could easily follow Amsoil's recommended OCI's.I wouldn't be surprised if the PCV valve has ever been changed(although it runs great).I think I'll try changing it.
As mentioned^, sludge/deposits are generally a PCV issue, or extreme heat.
Neglected oil changes come last, but are also very real.
Neglected oil changes come last, but are also very real.
Originally Posted By: bluegill
I really don't think it's a coolant issue.The sludge is basically the color of used motor oil,no milkiness or cloudiness that one would think would be associated with coolant and about the consistency of jelly.Perhaps a stupid question but,is there a PCV valve on my car and where is it,could it be the problem and is it replacable?
The PCV valve on this one is unfortunately tucked away under the intake manifold on the passengers side. The mechanic that works on my Hondas told me he couldn't find it on my son's 98 Civic.So it must be really hard to see and get at.
I really don't think it's a coolant issue.The sludge is basically the color of used motor oil,no milkiness or cloudiness that one would think would be associated with coolant and about the consistency of jelly.Perhaps a stupid question but,is there a PCV valve on my car and where is it,could it be the problem and is it replacable?
The PCV valve on this one is unfortunately tucked away under the intake manifold on the passengers side. The mechanic that works on my Hondas told me he couldn't find it on my son's 98 Civic.So it must be really hard to see and get at.
I apologize for my assumptions blue, pertaining to the zero oil loss. You are correct, your engine appears to be in good shape. Your Honda should have a long happy life ahead. If you feel the PCV has never been changed, then that is likely the culprit. Changing the oil filter every 6K, which I failed to realize before, does reintroduce near 2 quarts of fresh oil per OCI, which does serve you well. I would recommend changing or cleaning your PCV every other (18K) oil change.
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