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2.3L "Sludge" update Posted by iveand [Email] ![]() ![]() |
I have been working through some intermittent starting problems that you can find through an earlier post, but wanted to post a separate item related to addressing the starting issue that may be of interest/concern.
I ended up re-torquing my headbolts after observing trace coolant in my engine oil. I replaced the valve cover gasket at the same time. The interesting point is that the valve cover was stuck on after all bolts were removed. I finally "popped" it off, and found out why it was so stuck in place. Black, gritty, "coffee ground" like coating all over the inside of the valve cover, especially around the timing chain. The chain itself seemed good (but there were slight worn spots on the top chain "guide" inserted in the cover itself - does the chain need tightening, and how?). I used some solvent to scrub the valve cover out, but could see this gritty stuff down the timing chain cavity. There were thick orange "gel" type spots on the headbolts toward the distributor end of the engine. They seemed minor. Maybe this is "sludge" and the black grit is something worse.
Is this gritty stuff the "sludge" that I have read so much about? I got the car @ 120K, and it was most likely just on dyno 5-30 its whole life. I want to go to Mobil 1, but am running through a few rounds of Valvoline MaxLife to try and condition the seals/scrub it out before making the switch. I recognize Rotella 0W-40 may be my dream choice, but I can't find it locally (Minneapolis, MN). In the mean time, I have been adding solvents to the oil (Seafoam or B-12) a day before I change it out (hoping to break down the grime w/o compromising my viscosity for the life of the oil).
Am I on the right track? What are others doing? Is this "beyond sludge"? What about the integrity of my timing chain? I have not pulled the pan, but am thinking about it when it warms up this spring ... just to see what is going on down there. Replaced my oil pressure sensor, and am not having issues with that, so I assume the pickup is not blocked and oil is circulating fine. This black sooty stuff seems like oil that has overheated and simply "burned".
iveand
96 900S 2.3N/A 5speed 126K
posted by 24.123.11...
_______________________________________ 2006 9-3 Aero SC 2.8T 6-speed (current) 1990 900 SPG 2.0T 5-speed (current) 1985 900 2.0T 5-speed ("DOA" donor car) 1985 900 2.0T 4-door 5-speed (gifted to friend, RIP) 1996 900S 2.3L 5-speed (gifted to friend, RIP?)
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