What is oil sludge?

Oil sludge or black sludge is a thick gel in vehicle oil caused by oxidation and/or contamination (oil gelling or thickening, usually at 100 degrees hotness or higher.)

Oil sludge looks a lot more like a burnt porridge but don’t know how to cook it like me. So you must be familiar with the black look of it when it’s burnt. Try eating when it’s cold, delicious right?

That’s right, a burnt porridge is bad can’t eat it, especially when it’s really bad (like the whole porridge burnt with no part of it good). You’d eat it, right? Arrrr!

What causes engine oil to sludge?

Here are the 4 things that causes oil sludge (your porridge to burn)

Engine oil breakdown

Once your engine oil breaks down it speedily reduces the efficiency of the engine work and lubrication ( this is when sludge takes place).

Partially combusted fuel will escape into the crankcase, the oil now donates through the engine. Thus, they will find someplace to settle a as sludge. Which will restrict and block oil flow in the surrounding. Which causes rapid engine wear.

Engine oil and water mixture

The coolant or water in a car should never mix with the engine oil. This is because oil is supposed to lubricate all the moving parts in the engine and the coolant/water is supposed to cool the engine temperature, when it’s running.

When the mixture occurs, it’s important to make swift corrections, because if you don’t, the water and oil mixture will form a thick /congealed cream-like color. (A very thick coffee tea ). How would you love that in your engine? Yes right? Because you get to drink free tea directly made from your car engine every day. Good for you.

PS: this mixture won’t just cause sludge to your engine but also cause your engine not to cool it’s temperature well (because the water to cool it’s temperature, is now a thick coffee).

Late car service/neglect of maintenance

Your car engine service must be done in time. Change the oil .at the appropriate time (5,000) miles – in Nigeria, (10,000) outside Nigeria.

Since the oil acts as a coolant in the engine and smoothes the running of the other components, the maintenance service must be done in time.

When the service is delayed or neglected, there are high chances that sludge will be formed since the oil will not be able to flow freely.

Use of bad synthetic oil

While having your car serviced it is advised to use recommended engine oil, mostly by the manufacturer, your mechanic is also in the position to do so. Mechanics know which oil is good and bad for your car.

For Mercedes Benz cars especially, because of their light-made engines, Mobil 1 is highly recommended. Other types of cars can use them too but most of the time, they use Mobil 1 XHP. ( like Prince Automobile Clinic know is know for always using Mobil 1 oil for servicing their customers).

How would you know when your engine oil is sludged?

Probably the alarming check engine light has come on. And your car doesn’t seem to be responsive like it used to or is supposed to. Your engine may be having an engine sludge. You must make sure to correct this before it becomes an even bigger problem.

PSS: know that all cars, regardless of the model type, make, or year can develop engine sludge (all cars ) .

You can check the engine sludge yourself with these few steps.

Startup your car. Look in the instrument cluster f the check engine light is on or if your change oil light comes on as well.
Open your car hood (bonnet), and open the oil cap. If you see the thick, dark, gel-like substance, you have sludge.

How can you remove engine sludge

If it has been concluded that your car has sludge, then it needs to be removed from your engine quickly. It can cause major problems that can be very expensive to fix.

You can remove this and flush It Yourself at home.

You will just need few things to get it done.

And engine oil flush treatment
New engine oil
Container to collect the dirty oil
New oil filter
The oil filter ( a tool for loosening oil spanner )

Once you have gotten all the listed items ready, you can begin sludge flush. Pretty simple.

1. The first process is to make sure your car is parked on level ground.

2. Open the hood (bonnet) and remove the oil cap.

3. Pour the engine flush treatment into the engine. (In few cases the oil cap may need to be changed).

4. Start the car and let it run idle for 15-20 minutes.

5. Turn the car off and it’s time to drain the oil out. Hopefully, the treatment has had a chance to mix with the sludge so you can flush them out together.

Advanced PSSS: if the engine sludge is much, don’t use the treatment, just drain out the sludged oil out first then Pour engine oil inside the engine and run the engine.

6. Loosen the oil pan and let the oil drain out into the container.

7. Remove the oil filter and let the oil drain from there too.

8. Replace with new oil filter, rub a tiny bit of new oil on the filter rubber.

8. Install the new one. Make sure to turn the filter clockwise to tighten it.

10. Tighten back the oil pan and pour the second new oil. Use a dipstick to check and tighten the oil cap when it’s filled properly.

Conclusion

Using or owning a car requires you to be mindful of its regular maintenance. Part of that regular maintenance includes; regular changing of oil (servicing) it may seem to be a pain but it will help you reduce the risk of damaging your car engine, spending money, and stressing yourself.

Your car engine is the heart of your car; if it isn’t working properly, you can be sure you’re not going anywhere soon. Proper engine maintenance also guarantees that your engine doesn’t overheat while on the road, or cut out at an intersection. An improperly running engine is a huge safety problem when it comes to your car, and the safety of those inside.

While the engine looks like one gigantic car part, it is made up of numerous different components which work together to create and dispense energy throughout your vehicle. At Prince Automobile Clinic, we recommend regular engine maintenance, to avoid future problems, and future cash drains on your car.

1. Keeping it Clean: Your engine does a lot for your car. In fact, without it, your car wouldn’t be getting very far at all, which is why it’s essential to keep your engine clean of clutter, dust, and mud Over time, filters can become blocked, leaves and dirt blow under the hood, and pests find their way into your car. Grease which covers your engine can trap heat, making it impossible for your engine to cool down properly.

Your mechanic will likely use, or recommend a degreaser to carefully clean the exterior of your engine. A vacuum tool may also be used to remove debris and dust from around the casing. Fortunately, the way that your engine is put together keeps most of the clutter that enters your car away from the working components of your engine. However, if you notice any odd noise, smell, or smoke coming from your engine compartment, call your mechanic as soon as possible.

2. Spark Plug Service: To keep dirt and mud out of the combustion chamber, your spark plug should be occasionally cleaned. To do this your mechanic will remove the plug lead, clean the space around it, remove the plug, and use a special cleaner and brush to remove any dirt or dust. This is such a minor job, but it can go a big way to improving the overall performance of your engine.

3. Proper Lubrication: There are several moving parts in an engine, that it’s important to have adequate lubrication constantly. Otherwise, the friction caused by many of these moving pieces will start to rub and grind and cause damage. Sometimes, this damage is irreparable, and will result in the need for replacing one or more parts before your engine will function properly again.

Your mechanic will ensure that your crankshaft, piston rings, and cylinder walls are properly lubricated to prevent friction and damage to your car. It is also a reasonable time for your mechanic to inspect seals in certain parts of the engine to be sure that everything is fitting together the way that it should be for smooth ride.

4. Oil Change: It’s an easy procedure, and yet so many ignore it until it’s too late. Oil change can make all the difference to the performance of your engine, and the overall performance of your car. Over time, your oil can become cloudy, murky, and sticky, and this cannot help your engine get the most from its lubrication system. Your oil should be checked and changed once every 4 to 5 months of 5,000 miles due to the atmosphere in Nigeria to ensure that your car is in tip top shape, and your engine is getting the best from the oil it uses. You are not sure if your oil needs change? Call Prince Automobile Clinic for an oil check today!

If you notice an issue with your engine, the best thing to do is make an appointment with your mechanic. The longer an engine problem goes unfixed, the more damage it will cause. What might have been easy to fix could turn into the need to replace many different parts and pieces.

For more information on engine maintenance, prevention maintenance, or our other auto services, contact us today. At Prince Automobile Clinic, our client’s safety is our priority, which is why we work hard to deliver high-quality service every time we perform a job on your car. Learn more about preventative maintenance and why it’s important through our blog, or book an appointment with one of our certified mechanics at your convenience.

Stellar Mech

Empowering Automotive Dreams, One Gearshift at a Time

Tag Archives: how-to

Don’t let your car engine knock! (Engine oil sludge)