So much engine sludge

Moralminority · Nov 6, 2016

I have a 2003 1500 5.7 Hemi with 155k miles. The engine seized. Found the pick up tube blocked with carbon/sludge. Thick sludge in oil pan. Ordered a remanufactured long block and tearing down the engine to prepare. When I pulled the valve covers, I was shocked at the amount of sludge and carbon in the top of the head. I changed the oil about every 5,000 miles and drive mostly on highways at 55+ MPH. Anyone have any idea why this much sludge would form? Seems like if has to be blow by from somewhere. Even the timing chain and all parts are coated with carbon and lacquered. See pics.
http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/moralminority/library/Mobile%20Uploads

usaf2006 · Nov 6, 2016

Are you the first owner? What brand oil are you using? Do you ever put additives in the oil?

Core-Lokt · Nov 7, 2016

I'm posting the pics so it's easier than going to your album.

Damn..that looks like the engine was either run hot for extended periods, always been in a dusty environment or had few oil changes-but that doesn't seem to be the case. Beyond that, no idea.

R.L.K. · Nov 7, 2016

Damn ! See post # 2 above for my questions .

usaf2006 · Nov 7, 2016

That's some serious sludge.

Hootbro · Nov 7, 2016

Something tells me a PCV valve never got changed.

R.L.K. · Nov 7, 2016

This is his first post , I'm thinking the OP isn't subscribed?

HemiLonestar · Nov 7, 2016

All of the above, plus; do you allow it to warm up fully? Do you do a lot of short trips, which would not allow the engine to come up to proper temp and burn off condensation? Do you use cheap oil or a decent synthetic?

R.L.K. · Nov 7, 2016

Short trips are a killer for sure , really need to get the oil above 212°f for several minutes at a minimum a couple times a week imo

Core-Lokt · Nov 7, 2016

FWIW, I did a timing gear set/oil pump on my truck this weekend. This is what a 290K mile engine looks like.

The tensioner was brittle as hell, but otherwise everything looked pretty clean. There was maybe a teaspoon of sludge in the oil pan sump. I've used synthetic oil from day one (Mobil 1) and within the last two years have used WalMart synthetic.

Oh yeah, what viscosity oil do you use, OP? In a pinch, I've used 10W30 synthetic but never anything thicker.

Rustycowl69 · Nov 7, 2016

Moralminority said:
I have a 2003 1500 5.7 Hemi with 155k miles. The engine seized. Found the pick up tube blocked with carbon/sludge. Thick sludge in oil pan. Ordered a remanufactured long block and tearing down the engine to prepare. When I pulled the valve covers, I was shocked at the amount of sludge and carbon in the top of the head. I changed the oil about every 5,000 miles and drive mostly on highways at 55+ MPH. Anyone have any idea why this much sludge would form? Seems like if has to be blow by from somewhere. Even the timing chain and all parts are coated with carbon and lacquered. See pics.
http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/moralminority/library/Mobile%20Uploads

oh, there's gotta be more to this story than that. I once saw this kind of sludge on a dead slant 6. My friend inherited the car from his grandfather and never changed the oil for over 60k miles. His wife was driving it, and I would be surprised if she even checked the oil level. I have several vehicles which have gone over 300k, and I still drive, and they look way, way cleaner than that.

So much engine sludge

Moralminority

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usaf2006

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Core-Lokt

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R.L.K.

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usaf2006

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Hootbro

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R.L.K.

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HemiLonestar

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R.L.K.

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Core-Lokt

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Rustycowl69

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