What would you do to test for sludge in an engine that you don't open up. Looking at the fill cap or down the fill hole may not show much in many engines. So what's a good test?
sludge test
- Thread starter BarkerMan
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Well if the valves are clean chances are every else will be the same. Looking under the oil cap is all i need.
Well, I detect particles by rubbing a drop of oil between two microscope slides then use the scope to look for an evaluate scratches. I wonder if there is some simple test that can be done by non-lab people to determine if the oil is experiencing sludge tendencies. It there a chemist in the house?
Examine the dipstick under bright light, and check for varnish.
I am with ARB1977, if you can see around the valve train....that you can see through the oil fill cap, that should be an indication of how the rest of the engine will be.
Another thing you can do at the same time is rub your finger on a part of the inside of the vavle cover that you can reach with your finger......if the finger comes out without sludge, that will help confirm what you see.
NOTE, the inside of the valve cover may be rough.....it is sludge (not oil or smoothness) that you are concerned with.
Another thing you can do at the same time is rub your finger on a part of the inside of the vavle cover that you can reach with your finger......if the finger comes out without sludge, that will help confirm what you see.
NOTE, the inside of the valve cover may be rough.....it is sludge (not oil or smoothness) that you are concerned with.
If you pull the oil breather out, you can get a pretty good look on most cars. I defintly see varnish in my wifes Lincoln that had oil changes every 3000 miles with Motorcraft 5w20, or that was what I believe the dealer to be using(Lincoln Dealer). I have switched over to PP 5w20 now that the service contract is up, Iam not a big fan of Motorcraft oil, and think it is way overrated.
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I think the top end is a good place to look, as it could be a cooler region for things to develop, and I think is mostly bathed in oil rather than spray or something of much force.?. Look, feel and see what might collect on one's finger.?.
The oil pan and pick-up screen are areas that are observed in deposit tests IIRC.
Take care.
I think the top end is a good place to look, as it could be a cooler region for things to develop, and I think is mostly bathed in oil rather than spray or something of much force.?. Look, feel and see what might collect on one's finger.?.
The oil pan and pick-up screen are areas that are observed in deposit tests IIRC.
Take care.
Originally Posted By: buster
Quote:
Iam not a big fan of Motorcraft oil, and think it is way overrated.
I keep reading posts about MC and varnish. Any truth to this?
I dont know for sure. I can say that my CVs 4.6 engine has 108K on it and I was told the department was anal about 3K oil changes and tended to use bulk MC oil. I can see NO varnish at all when I look down in there. It is actually shiny metal everywhere! Cleanest lookin engine I have every seen at this sort of mileage.
Quote:
Iam not a big fan of Motorcraft oil, and think it is way overrated.
I keep reading posts about MC and varnish. Any truth to this?
I dont know for sure. I can say that my CVs 4.6 engine has 108K on it and I was told the department was anal about 3K oil changes and tended to use bulk MC oil. I can see NO varnish at all when I look down in there. It is actually shiny metal everywhere! Cleanest lookin engine I have every seen at this sort of mileage.
Like a titer for a known virus there should be a simple test for sludge that can be done on a small sample that could be drawn through the dip stick tube. It would be a good diagnostic for engine condition, and a better idea than removing the valve cover which could be major job. On some engines you'd have more fun sticking your foot in a bear trap then opening up the engine to do any serious work. Some new cars are just not meant to be worked on by anyone except by a dealership mechanic with a big budget.
Buster, is this the test
http://www.savantgroup.com/TEOST-1.htm
http://www.savantgroup.com/TEOST-1.htm
Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Well if the valves are clean chances are every else will be the same. Looking under the oil cap is all i need.
I was told by a Toyota mechanic to look under the oil cap. If any of their cars had sludge they would pull the head hot tank it and put it all back together.
Well if the valves are clean chances are every else will be the same. Looking under the oil cap is all i need.
I was told by a Toyota mechanic to look under the oil cap. If any of their cars had sludge they would pull the head hot tank it and put it all back together.
The oil fill cap is only a good indicator when the sludge is really bad. Sometimes fill caps have some gunk on them and it means cold weather or short trips and will clear up if the engine is driven a bit.
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