getting some sludge build up

[blazer2007]

Was going to change oil but I noticed some sludge on the dip stick, was wondering if there is something I can do to help drain some of the sludge when I change oil

[Albatrossian]

Change the oil more frequently and it'll help get rid of that nasty stuff

[78 Chevyrado]

Try not to use "cleaners". They can break up sludge in oil passages and if a big enough piece breaks off it will clog the passages. Also they may make the engine start leaking. I like to use valvoline, I did a check on all the oils I could a few years back and talked to oil people and found valvoline has the highest detergent content.

[454HO]

The 305 that I just gave to a machine shop had horrendous sludge build up. When I took off the valve cover and intake manifold there were large chunks of stuff everywhere. Nasty.

As mentioned, frequent oil changes with a high quality oil is the best prevention. And synthetic oil is much better than regular dino oil. Those $9.99 oil change places should be avoided like the plague. They use cheap bulk oil, crappy filters and mostly 'unskilled' labor.

There is no easy way to get the crud out of an engine after it builds up. A flush may work if it is not too far gone. But if I had tried a flush on that 305 I am sure the big chunks would have gone to the pan and clogged the oil pickup tube thus starving the engine of oil.

[Corts60]

If the engine is already building up sludge though, it is not a good time to switch to synthetic.

Also, maybe a silly question, it's not a coffee colored sludge is it?

[BigBlocksRule]

Add a quart of generic tranny fluid right before the next change. Bring it up to operating temp, then vary the rpm's a bit. It's a high detergent blend and will help clean the goo and pretty much leave any harder stuff in place. Don't drive or really load the engine with tranny fluid in it, drain it while it's nice and hot. Do this for a few oil changes, it probably wouldn't hurt to change it at 2K for the next couple of changes to see if it's cleaning up, I've had it help a bunch. And it's a cheap way to help your engine.

[blazer2007]

thanks it,s not too far gone just starting at the tip of the dipstick,just a little milky,probably from too much stop and go and getting condinsation

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by blazer2007

thanks it,s not too far gone just starting at the tip of the dipstick,just a little milky,probably from too much stop and go and getting condinsation

Milky is not a good sign my friend. I would complete a compression test on the engine just to make sure...