Best way to remove sludge?

[KOKJ]

I pulled my valve covers off of my B4 S4 tonight and it wasn't a pretty sight.

Everything is covered in sludge. Is there any way to remove this crap or is a complete replacement engine in order?

KJ

[S4 in_lowplaces]

Pictures???

There was one guy on here that took everythin apart and cleaned it him self. His name is elijahallen, type this name in the seach and you'll find his threada about it.

[AB18]

You can try seafoam. It does work with sludge when used enough and concentrated enough. Take a pic looking in your oil cap and post if you didn't take pics when they were off.

[KOKJ]

You can try seafoam. It does work with sludge when used enough and concentrated enough. Take a pic looking in your oil cap and post if you didn't take pics when they were off.

But isn't seafoam used to clean combustion chambers? If so, it won't do any good in this situation will it?

There are some pictures floating around that some dude posted up that look identical to mine. Maybe that same elija-something guy. Mine is horrible and looks just like his. If I were to pull the heads and go through that much trouble, I'd have them all acid-dipped and fresh. But the block would have to be done too. I've never torn down a 2.7TT before.

[S4 in_lowplaces]

Seafoam will work in both the gas tank, and the crankcase. If you dont have the cash then i woudl just do it your self.
Sludge

No Sludge

[esss_pho]

how did you clean it up?

[S4 in_lowplaces]

how did you clean it up?

Those pitures are not of my car, plus, those two pictures are of two diffrent cars, haha sorry.

[esss_pho]

:(...

i have no sludge ne who just wanted to know

[KOKJ]

What are some problems caused by excessive sludge buildup?

[lil' is 300]

What are some problems caused by excessive sludge buildup?

not changing oil frequently is one among several causes...that's most common.

[okkim]

What kind of oil have people used (and how long) when the engine is looking like that? I have never seen that kind of sludge!

[S4 in_lowplaces]

What kind of oil have people used (and how long) when the engine is looking like that? I have never seen that kind of sludge!

The picture showing the sludge was taken by a member on here that mentioned his coolant had ben mixing with his oil.

[KOKJ]

What kind of oil have people used (and how long) when the engine is looking like that? I have never seen that kind of sludge!

I haven't owned this car for more than 6 months. The previous owner claims Mobil 1 synthetics every 5-8,000 miles. I have a very hard time believing that now.

What is it about these motors that makes them so susceptible to sludge?
My 302 V8 in my 94 Mustang for example was pulled at 105,000 miles to replace with a race motor. I took it apart and it was beautiful inside. I missed oil changes and drove it way too hard and zero sludge. This is the first time I've ever seen sludge.

[Jung]

i would change it, even though it's synthetic every 3k.. just to be safe.. it's not very expensive and it will save you in the long run...
some problems caused by sludge would be not running very well at all... think about it, its gooey and sticky and all.. looks like someone's lungs who smokes...

[Clay @ Kinetic]

I haven't owned this car for more than 6 months. The previous owner claims Mobil 1 synthetics every 5-8,000 miles. I have a very hard time believing that now.

What is it about these motors that makes them so susceptible to sludge?
My 302 V8 in my 94 Mustang for example was pulled at 105,000 miles to replace with a race motor. I took it apart and it was beautiful inside. I missed oil changes and drove it way too hard and zero sludge. This is the first time I've ever seen sludge.

You might want to do a seafoam, and clean out the oil lines, feed and drain for the turbo, run some good fresh synthetic. Often this sludge buildup is a large contributor to turbo failures, the less oil that gets in the turbos from sludge buildup the less they are lubricated and cooled, which means shorter life spans and you writing more checks to fix them.

Cheers

[KOKJ]

Ok, like I said before, I know you can use seafoam in the combustion chambers. But how do you put it in the oil system? More importantly, how do you get it out too? lol

[The_Jerbel]

Pour it into the oil filler hole. Then change the oil when you're finished running it with the sea foam inside.
Just read the instructions on the can and you'll figure it out.

[AB18]

Heres what you do. Go to advanced auto or any of those auto parts stores and get some seafoam, it comes in a white and red bottle. Take it home, and add 8ounces to your oil. Drive the car about 100miles, and vary the rpm range. After about 100mi, change your oil. Repeat that as much as you want to get the sludge out. I ussaully only use about 4ounces, but you have a good amount of sludge and need that clean off. I have done this the past 2 oil changes,and from looking in my oil cap, my engine does seem cleaner.

[exorcet]

I'd be concerned about running a 'before oil change detergent' to quickly release the sludge -- I would guess it could cause further problems if you release it all quickly. at a minimum change your oil filter to a fresh one before seafoam treatment.

I've used this stuff and it does work: www.auto-rx.com it's an extended, gentler clean and i bet 2 treatments would greatly improve your engine.

[smithm5]

my car just broke 100k miles...wondering if I should do this just in case? never opened up the engine to look or anything. Ill check oil cap next time im at the car.

[KOKJ]

I'd be concerned about running a 'before oil change detergent' to quickly release the sludge -- I would guess it could cause further problems if you release it all quickly. at a minimum change your oil filter to a fresh one before seafoam treatment.

I've used this stuff and it does work: www.auto-rx.com it's an extended, gentler clean and i bet 2 treatments would greatly improve your engine.

I actually added that AutoRX stuff a month ago for the heck of it without knowing what the insides looked like. It doesn't seem to have done much good.
I'll try seafoam. When seafoam is used in the combustion chambers, large amounts of smoke are produced. What about when you put it in the oil filler?

[AnthraciteA4]

Theoretically you shouldn't be igniting the seafoam since its just going through your oil channels and is designed to be lubricating and cooling the engine. However, turbos get DAMN HOT so there is a possibility of the seafoam boiling depending on how much you use. That is the exact reason that vehicles are equipped with PCV. You really shouldn't see too much extra smoke coming from your exhaust... if any. You MIGHT see some from the engine bay but I wouldn't worry unless it is accompanied by scary unusual noises.

[Grangalan]

Use Auto-RX. I've been using it for years in all my cars and have had nothing short of amazing results every time. actually i just got done with a treatment on my A4

[KOKJ]

Use Auto-RX. I've been using it for years in all my cars and have had nothing short of amazing results every time. actually i just got done with a treatment on my A4

Maybe it's good stuff if done regularly on a good motor. However, in these cases with heavy sludge, it won't do much if anything. I just used it and it did nothing.

[S4 in_lowplaces]

You mentioned your sluidge was like in the piture i showed on the first page. If thats the case, one treatment is not going to get everything out, and i personaly think that if its that bad, you really want a good clean job, your going to have to do most it manually. Then once you have gone in there your self use the seafoam treatment 2-3 times. This isnt just a 1 time thing and boom, your sludge is gone. Gooluck.

[KOKJ]

You mentioned your sluidge was like in the piture i showed on the first page. If thats the case, one treatment is not going to get everything out, and i personaly think that if its that bad, you really want a good clean job, your going to have to do most it manually. Then once you have gone in there your self use the seafoam treatment 2-3 times. This isnt just a 1 time thing and boom, your sludge is gone. Gooluck.

Yea, I know. I just don't feel like learning how to tear this motor apart. I want the quick, easy, lazy man's fix like everyone else.

[S4 in_lowplaces]

Honestly, its not that hard man, its time consuming but not hard.

[KOKJ]

Honestly, its not that hard man, its time consuming but not hard.

I just can't have a lot of down-time right now. I know I can do it. Hell, I built my race car by myself. But I've lost interest in working on cars all of a sudden ;)

[hodan]

I actually added that AutoRX stuff a month ago for the heck of it without knowing what the insides looked like. It doesn't seem to have done much good.
I'll try seafoam. When seafoam is used in the combustion chambers, large amounts of smoke are produced. What about when you put it in the oil filler?

I just used it in my oil, no issues at all. Poured in 1/2 can, drove for 80 miles then changed with Mobil 1 5w-30. No problems, no smoke.

[lil' is 300]

Yea, I know. I just don't feel like learning how to tear this motor apart. I want the quick, easy, lazy man's fix like everyone else.

Buy a new longblock.

[exorcet]

I actually added that AutoRX stuff a month ago for the heck of it without knowing what the insides looked like. It doesn't seem to have done much good.
I'll try seafoam. When seafoam is used in the combustion chambers, large amounts of smoke are produced. What about when you put it in the oil filler?

did you follow the procedure? 1500 miles with new filter, then drain, refill with dino and new filter run 2000 miles, drain, then refill with synthetic and call it a day?

[KOKJ]

did you follow the procedure? 1500 miles with new filter, then drain, refill with dino and new filter run 2000 miles, drain, then refill with synthetic and call it a day?

Of course I followed the procedure. But this is a lot of sludge. That product is probably meant to remove the initial signs of sludge. Not crud like this.

[elijahallen]

Hey KOKJ, I am the guy that had a real bad sludge problem. Mine was caused by a small coolant leak into the oil and took out my K03 on the drive home from buying the car and blem my K04's 3K miles later before I figured out this was the problem. At that point I was broke or I would have just bought another engine but I spent alot of time tearing the engine down, soaking parts and cleaning everything the best I could. Once I had everything back together I use Motul Liqui Moly engine cleaner. Its a German made product that you add to the oil, run the car 15 minutes and change the oil and filter. I did this several times in a row and then every 500 miles, then every 1000 miles and so on. I have had no problems since and the sludge is gone. Its been around 13K miles since this happened. Good luck, make sure you don't have a coolant leak into the oil first by sending an oil sample to Blackstone and go from there.

Elijah

[exorcet]

Of course I followed the procedure. But this is a lot of sludge. That product is probably meant to remove the initial signs of sludge. Not crud like this.

gotcha - sounds pretty bad. time for a tear down.

[collegedude10]

can you just add seafoam to the gas tank and vacuum line and still get results? the reason why i dont want to add to my oil right now is because i just changed the oil last weekend. also does seafoam help with mileage?

[The_Jerbel]

Yes you can add it to your gas tank and intake system, but it will clean different parts of the engine/car than if you add it to your oil. It might help with mileage marginally because the engine internals may be slightly fouled and out of spec.