1MZ-FE Sludge issue, intersing spotting and discussion I guess.

[ASG14]

Talked to Eye8Pussies for a while about this, and decided to post it up, as we both found it interesting. As I was putting my Valve covers back on, I noticed a little sludge. SAME spot on both banks. Rear one had is in a hole, anout 8mm wide, by the timing belt cover, and same for the front. that is the ONLY place there is sludge in the engine. Now, is that just normal, or is that how the sludge starts? I have a feeling Toysrme will know the answer to this.

[ghettosled]

i dont think you have anything to worry about. if im remembering correctly, oil collects in that hole and there isnt a way for it to drain out (unless you roll your car).

[ASG14]

^ Yeah, I figured it's fine. Was pretty much wondering if that is an area it starts in before the hole gets clogged. How did yours clean up BTW?

[nodrogkam]

a good amount of crap kind of seeped through my original engine's seal at that area. Looking like a pretty clean engine tho.

[ASG14]

I only use Syn, and used seafoam once. Not sure how much of a diff that made in it being clean. I drive the car HARD!!!! Had Dino oil till 60k when I bought it, and have used Syn from about 65k miles to now, 93k miles.

[parimento1]

my engine looked like that when I pulled the valve covers. Had some build-up but nothing major. After I saw it I stopped doing 4k mile oil changes and went to 3k

[ghettosled]

Originally Posted by ASG14

^ Yeah, I figured it's fine. Was pretty much wondering if that is an area it starts in before the hole gets clogged. How did yours clean up BTW?

i havent cracked open the valve cover since that cleaning a while back. this spring ill do another seafoam treatment then take the cover off to see the results.
stay tuned...

[Kitto]

I think this one can help you: http://www.auto-rx.com/
highly recommarded by http://www.bobistheoilguy.com
try at your own risk, but I only heard good things about it.
if you have question, just post on bobistheoilguy fourm.

[Tony the Tiger]

Switch over the synthetic (only if your oil seals, gaskets, etc.. are in good shape) and you will be able to clean off all the sludge inside the engine over time. If you can't afford full synthetic, you can give the Valvoline MAX life a try because it is meant for high mileage engines and has stronger detergents to aid cleaning deposts/sludge in the engine.

[bigbird]

^ thats the stuff i use. my seals were to worn to use synthetic, but that max life has worked well for me. when i pulled my covers off 2 months ago it looked a little better, that migh have been the seafoam i had used like 3 months eariler though.

[Toysrme]

Seafoam FTW. Auto-rx only argueably works & at that it takes FOREVER to do anything if it actually does.


You're fine adam.

[ASG14]

Thanks all. I cleaned the crap out that WAS there. I figure I'll do the Seafoam one more time. I KNOW the previous owners did not take care of the car too well, but thankfully, I got it at 60k miles before they could do much damage.