LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

LT1 sludge, suggestions?

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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 02:47 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by SS RRR
The only way to get rid of all of it is to have the engine disassembled and hot tanked. A flush doesn't do ****.
Absolutely. No amount of flush, additive, or treatment is going to safely and effectively remove pounds of baked-on sludge. Not a chance.
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 03:38 PM
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Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. Based on that I'm hearing, I probably shouldn't use anything chemical to dislodge all of that stuff as it is. What would you guys say to me removing the valve covers and oil pan to physically remove what I can, then using something like autorx or essentialube to clean what I couldn't get to? Would that still be risky as far as clogging something up?
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 92jamaicayellow
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. Based on that I'm hearing, I probably shouldn't use anything chemical to dislodge all of that stuff as it is. What would you guys say to me removing the valve covers and oil pan to physically remove what I can, then using something like autorx or essentialube to clean what I couldn't get to? Would that still be risky as far as clogging something up?
I don't think it will hurt anything to drop the pan and pull the valve covers and clean it as best you can. I don't see you clogging anything thats not already clogged. Pretty bad in there I bet. You would def want to clean your oil pick up tube, its got to be terrible. Iv got a extra one sitting if you need since you're local.

Did that muffler work out for you?
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 06:43 PM
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Jay- I'll pull the pan and let you know if I need that pickup tube or not, thanks. the muffler worked out great, just had a shop weld on some different tips and weld it to the I-pipe, thanks again.

I have the next couple days off, I'll pull it apart if I get the time to do so and post the results on here.
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 01:24 AM
  #25  
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from mobil1's site

Mobil 1 High Mileage fully synthetic motor oil is designed especially for engines where conventional oil has been used, and where these conditions have been experienced:
Severe Service
Extended Oil Drains
Poor Maintenance
Multiple Owners
For engines where heavy deposits and sludging exist, we recommend short initial oil change drain intervals of 3,000 miles as cleanup progresses.

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-30 is designed for higher mileage vehicles and provides the following benefits:
Extra anti-wear additive helps protect critical engine parts.
Reduces the sludge and deposits that conventional oils can leave behind.
Contains a special seal conditioner to help recondition seals and prevent leaks.
Higher viscosity formula helps reduce oil burn-off and leakage.
Meets API SL/CF
ILSAC GF-3 quality
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 01:30 AM
  #26  
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If you want to clean that **** out without tearing the engine apart, go to walmart, autozone, oreilys, etc and buy a LOT of the cheapest oil they have, and several cheap filters.

Run the oil til it turns black, change immediately, and repeat. It will probably take many many oil changes, but that's the best way to start getting it out of there.

Something on the order of 200-500 mile changes will start doing the job.
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 01:30 AM
  #27  
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If you want to clean that **** out without tearing the engine apart, go to walmart, autozone, oreilys, etc and buy a LOT of the cheapest oil they have, and several cheap filters.

Run the oil til it turns black, change immediately, and repeat. It will probably take many many oil changes, but that's the best way to start getting it out of there.

Something on the order of 200-500 mile changes will start doing the job.
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 09:11 AM
  #28  
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FYI - My step-father, a GM ASE-certified master mechanic, suggested using at 60/40 to 50/50 blend of oil and ATF and changing the filter and oil/ATF mixture every 50 miles or so - I did this a number of years ago with a 66 2+2 that had mega-sludge buildup, like yours, and after 3 oil changes, the engine was clean.

Having said that, with any 'chemical' solution (vs. dis-assembly and cleaning parts individually), there is always the possibility of too much sludge coming off at one time and then clogging the oil return passages.
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 10:30 AM
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Default Sludge

I work at a dealership and we use BG products. I would recommend using BG MOA. You run it in the engine for 20 minutes and then change the oil. I've had so much sludge come out that it clogged the drain plug up.
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 12:15 PM
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Auto-rx it for sure, my old engine had the oil filter plugged up in 1500 miles full of crap that stuff dislodged. I think thats the only reason it lasted so long with me revving it to 6500 all the time

All those other quick flush and change the oil things are bad dont use them
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 12:22 PM
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ive also heard the atf, and bg,also diesel fuel added to the oil will do the same...

i've used the diesel fuel to seat rings before and it did work the first try , and within 30 miles....
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 03:42 PM
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Looks to me like you found a Pennzoil car, shittiest oil you can put in any vehicle! period

although their rearend lube is good..
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 93M6Formula
Looks to me like you found a Pennzoil car, shittiest oil you can put in any vehicle! period

although their rearend lube is good..
I've heard that for years. Don't believe it. That has nothing to do with the oil brand. That is nothing more than straight up neglect.
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Old Aug 17, 2010 | 09:27 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by SS RRR
I've heard that for years. Don't believe it. That has nothing to do with the oil brand. That is nothing more than straight up neglect.

i agree, i also think non synthetic oils were used and timely oil changes were neglected..
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 11:25 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by brucer
i agree, i also think non synthetic oils were used and timely oil changes were neglected..
I do agree with that too, this was obviously neglected terribly.

Im just speaking from experience of pulling apart 2 small block chevys that had pennzoil in it most of their lives and they were just gunked up beyond hot tanking!
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 02:21 PM
  #36  
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DAMN!!!! that **** is crazy! Heres mine at 90k after i cleaned the heads, i had a piece of cardboard in the lifter valley so it was untouched.
Attached Thumbnails LT1 sludge, suggestions?-img00224.jpg  
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 02:43 PM
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I think the previous owner did not heat the car up enough to melt the sludge off.
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Old Aug 18, 2010 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 99.9percenter
I think the previous owner did not heat the car up enough to melt the sludge off.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 02:57 AM
  #39  
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I didn't get around to pulling anything apart yet, but I did change the oil 2x on monday. For the first change I got it really hot by driving around aggressively and let it drain for an hour or so, then refilled with about 50/50 transmission fluid and some conventional castrol (new filter, of course) and then drove it for about 40 miles and changed it again- it was black as tar both times, but the second time it was not as thick. I refilled it with another mixture of ATF and oil (another new filter) and I'm going to leave it in for a little longer. I do want to pull the valve covers at least and see what that looks like, just need to get around to doing that.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 06:51 AM
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I'm wondering what your oil pan looks like.
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