Speaking of engine sludge...

[Krooser]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MskJaTr2uho

Dexcool and oil?

[1972ho]

Someone put something in the oil to make it gel like that in that shop ,because it never could have run are driven like that.

[RDY4WAR]

I've seen that video a few times. Somebody poured an alcohol or something in the crankcase and caused separation of the oil's VII polymers. Whatever the case, this is not an oil issue on its own.

[Lizardracing]

Cash for Clunkers deal?

[PackardV8]

A Ford pushrod V6 came in, removed from a running car; we couldn't get the rocker covers off. Finally, we pried under and rubber hammered on all sides. When they came off, there was a solid loaf of sludge in the shape of the rocker cover; no sign of there being rockers, pushrods, valve springs in there at all.

A friend in charge of vehicle maintenance at US Steel says ordering the work pickups with AC was the worst thing which ever happened. Since then, the trucks are used as mobile break rooms; left running 24/7. The engines now die years sooner than when they didn't have AC. Even synthetic oil will sludge up under those conditions.

[Krooser]

That is a Chevy Cobalt four cylinder that came in " locked up"....

I have heard of many issues with DexCool leaking into the oiling system and causing havoc... this was a lot of havoc.

If you see many " customer states" videos you will start to believe anything is possible!

[allencr267]

...The engines now die years sooner than when they didn't have AC. Even synthetic oil will sludge up under those conditions.

If the oil change was by hours and not miles....

[RDY4WAR]

A friend in charge of vehicle maintenance at US Steel says ordering the work pickups with AC was the worst thing which ever happened. Since then, the trucks are used as mobile break rooms; left running 24/7. The engines now die years sooner than when they didn't have AC. Even synthetic oil will sludge up under those conditions.

They're either not following a proper maintenance routine with those vehicles or using the wrong oil. Idling shouldn't cause sludge issues so long as you account for it. I know of some fleet gas vehicles that run around the clock in >100*F heat, idling for much of that, and go 15-20k miles between oil changes. Several of those vehicles have >300k miles on them and no sludge issues. They use an oil specific to their needs.

As a note, every hour of idle time is equivalent to 26-32 miles as far as oil life is concerned.

[dannobee]

Someone sabotaged something. I had an Acura towed in with a seized engine, drained the oil, pulled the pan and saw what appeared to be salt in the bottom of the pan. Looked at the oil filler cap and could see some leftover salt on the filler cap o-ring. Notified the owner, who admitted that he just went through an ugly break-up with his girlfriend. Replaced the engine and less than a week later, same thing, salted engine. Called the owner back, who called the cops. Police came down, took pictures of the car, salt in the oil pan, etc. Turns out the ex-girlfriend had an extra key for the car and salted the engine twice. When the cops were interviewing her, she slipped up and admitted that she did it.

[rebelyell]

Cash for Clunkers deal?

kinda sorta ... maybe sodium silicate aka water glass aka instant radiator sealer.????

[Dave Koehler]

Someone needed a mold of the combustion chamber, misread the instructions and kind of, sort of over did it?