Sludged Ram 4.7l

[RamFan]

I posted about this a while back and am here just to update a little I suppose. I've got an '04 Ram 1500 with the 4.7l V8. I received it second hand with 45k miles on it, I removed the oil baffel and found it to be full of sludge so I've decided to add half a quart of MMO on every OCI and make 4 month/4k miles ocis.

I personally think that synthetic would be better due to the stronger cleaning agents and the increased breakdown resistance. Here is the question though. Those of you who have had to combat already existing sludge, did you use conventional or synthetic during that period? I've also just replaced the pcv valve and there was slight sludge build up in it, just a little bit not to bad though. Here is the link to the original thread with pictures. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/caught-my-girl-stuffed-up.136509/

Since I found the sludge its had Valvolene SynPower for an oci, and two ocis of QSUD.

 

[chubbs1]

You are doing the perfect thing, I don't think you need any advice. Though I have seen Pennz Ultra clean great...but I would use that when you feel comfortable driving at least 5K. Try to get your engine nice and warm too with a couple of 40+minute Highway runs here and there if you can fit it in.

 

[shpankey]

I would just continue with good cleaning synthetics like Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra and shorter oil changes. Don't get too carried away right off the bat as it could end up cleaning too much too fast and lead to a clogged oil pump screen. Unless of course you could pull the pan and clean it and the pump up.

Just keep doing 4 to 5k mile oil changes with a good cleaning synthetic and make sure you use and change your oil filter. Use a good quality filter with a good bypass. After awhile and things have slowly cleaned up some more, then you might consider adding some MMO for the last 500 miles of the OCI to take it up a notch. If your vehicle ever starts to tick or knock unusually, I would take the oil pan off and clean it all up under there and especially clean the oil pump screen.

 

[KieferS]

Royal purple will clean that sucker right up.. they are known for very high detergent levels. 2 oci with RP and then continue with the Synpower

 

[ronrackley]

I use Rotella conventional 15w40 80% with MMO 20% for such cleaning. The Rotella because it is an HDEO with high detergent/dispersant content to help dissolve the sludge and keep the components suspended until they are drained out - and it thins down from being 15w40 when the MMO is added.

 

[J_Sap]

Any synthetic will clean your engine slowly but surely. I have seen Mobil 1, Pennzoil Ultra, and GC all clean engines. The good thing about a synthetic motor oil is that they clean slowly and it because of that it does not cause a clog in your engine during the cleaning.

 

[chambers]

Any new pics of the oil fill tube and have you left the baffle that was originally in there out? I've got a 3.7 (4.7 minus 2 cylinders) in my Ram and I've noticed some of the white/yellowish emulsion under the cap. I went out and pulled out the baffle after I saw your post today and saw quite a bit more of it under the baffle. I can't really see if there is sludge down my tube due to the emulsion, but I'm interested to see if yours has cleared up running synthetic in it.

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
I posted about this a while back and am here just to update a little I suppose. I've got an '04 Ram 1500 with the 4.7l V8. I received it second hand with 45k miles on it, I removed the oil baffel and found it to be full of sludge so I've decided to add half a quart of MMO on every OCI and make 4 month/4k miles ocis.

I personally think that synthetic would be better due to the stronger cleaning agents and the increased breakdown resistance. Here is the question though. Those of you who have had to combat already existing sludge, did you use conventional or synthetic during that period? I've also just replaced the pcv valve and there was slight sludge build up in it, just a little bit not to bad though. Here is the link to the original thread with pictures. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/caught-my-girl-stuffed-up.136509/

Since I found the sludge its had Valvolene SynPower for an oci, and two ocis of QSUD.


has the sludge cleared any? do you have any new pics?

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: chambers
Any new pics of the oil fill tube and have you left the baffle that was originally in there out? I've got a 3.7 (4.7 minus 2 cylinders) in my Ram and I've noticed some of the white/yellowish emulsion under the cap. I went out and pulled out the baffle after I saw your post today and saw quite a bit more of it under the baffle. I can't really see if there is sludge down my tube due to the emulsion, but I'm interested to see if yours has cleared up running synthetic in it.


I took out the baffle first thing when I got home, and it was still about the same, the only difference I could say what that it wasn't as rough looking in the pictures, it seemed like the sludge had been smoothed out so maybe that means that it is slowly being worn down and out. That was with only 800 miles put on in 4 months though so its not enough for me to take pics of and judge. The crankcase had 5 quarts of QSUD and 1 quart of MMO.

When I get the truck back stateside and put the miles on at a quicker pace I'll take another picture, I'm looking at probably 2k more miles.

The 3.7l doesn't have a sludge issue AFAIK. If you checked in there after the engine was recently run though you will see some of that white milky looking stuff (If you have the same baffle design). As long as you stay on top of the oil changes you'll be fine though. Sludge can be removed with frequent oil changes. Just keep an eye on the oil pressure while doing it, if your screen gets plugged up from sludge being released you can create serious problems for yourself.

 

[chambers]

Yea I checked it about an hour after I got home, the engine was still warm. I know the emulsion is common and according to Dodge shouldn't cause any problems w/ regular oil changes and a functioning pcv system. I got mine used at 22k and have been doing 3k OCI's on it till now at 42k miles, never had any oil pressure problems. Keep us updated on your progress removing the sludge, good luck.

 

[Durango]

RamFan,

I must admit my using a synthetic didn't keep me from having a valve job done on my 01' Durango 4.7 engine! Still though I like to use my tried and true Mobil 1 5W-30 oil. If I understand sludge correctly it can be avoided if you take the truck on the highway and drive it until the motor gets hot and slowly heats and absorbs any moisture that builds up in the engine. This is what i do at least once per month cuz my normal driving only takes me 12 miles to work and it's not enough time to get my motor nice and hot.

I don't know how the weather is in your region but when I do have a chance I drive mine on the highway for about an hour and a half at about 65 MPH to get that oil circulated. That;s my suggestion to you.

Durango

 

[tsduke]

Originally Posted By: Durango
RamFan,

I must admit my using a synthetic didn't keep me from having a valve job done on my 01' Durango 4.7 engine! Still though I like to use my tried and true Mobil 1 5W-30 oil. If I understand sludge correctly it can be avoided if you take the truck on the highway and drive it until the motor gets hot and slowly heats and absorbs any moisture that builds up in the engine. This is what i do at least once per month cuz my normal driving only takes me 12 miles to work and it's not enough time to get my motor nice and hot.

I don't know how the weather is in your region but when I do have a chance I drive mine on the highway for about an hour and a half at about 65 MPH to get that oil circulated. That;s my suggestion to you.

Durango


In LA? That 12 mile trip should warm your truck up plenty.

 

[Ken2]

Quote:
I've noticed some of the white/yellowish emulsion under the cap

Typical for just about every engine in winter conditions. Depending on your daily driving distance, temperatures, etc., the moisture doesn't fully vaporize out of the engine and forms the white emulsion in the cooler spots on the engine, especially the air-cooled valve covers. No worries. If the chance comes, take it on a nice long drive where it stays fully warmed for a while, but even that isn't a big deal.