Following

The oil mantra that works for me is "Change it hot and change it often"! 3k miles on todays oil blends may be a bit excessive but it certainly can't hurt (worst case, maybe your oil drain plug gets stripped sooner). 4.5 -5k mile intervals is possible even on dino oil and longer on synthetics. I say this with countless oil analyses on vehicles over my driving experience.... 30+ cars and counting. However, time is another factor you should consider. Even if you haven't done the targeted miles, you should change your oil at least once every 6 months because oil collects moisture when a vehicle is not driven to operating temps frequently. This is another cause of engine sludge. Like they say, drive it like you stole it once in a while (Italian tune up)

Oh

EgunMogaji2:


Sludge is caused when engine oil is left for too long in a vehicle and when the engine oil is allowed to operate in too hot of a condition.

It's not desirable but my automotive experience leads me to believe that it can be left alone successfully.

When I took my vehicle in for an unrelated work they decided to scrape off the sludge. Some of the sludge dislodged and left behind then blocked the oil passages in my engine and caused the engine to knock.

So my advice is to tell your local mechanic to leave your sludge alone and if they decide to want to scrape to off they should partly disassemble the oil system to make sure that any traces of dislodge sludge is removed.

Some swear on imported oil but I try to stick to local oil but change my oil and filter religiously at 3 months or 3,000 miles.

Nice one.

I was preparing the vehicle again for a new week at that time. So I once opened my car engine to 'top' the oil - this is occasioned by my discovery - there is 'dripping' at my parking lot caused by a small leakage in the bottom oil seal. Before I topped the oil, I discovered some black 'frozen engine oil' just below the cover and above the crank (or what looked like the crank).
Is that the sludge?

How can I safely and permanently dislodge it?

Which oil do you think is desirable for my Corolla 2005? Miles is about 230k or thereabouts.

Abbeyme:


Nice one.

I was preparing the vehicle again for a new week at that time. So I once opened my car engine to 'top' the oil - this is occasioned by my discovery - there is 'dripping' at my parking lot caused by a small leakage in the bottom oil seal. Before I topped the oil, I discovered some black 'frozen engine oil' just below the cover and above the crank (or what looked like the crank).
Is that the sludge?

How can I safely and permanently dislodge it?

Which oil do you think is desirable for my Corolla 2005? Miles is about 230k or thereabouts.

1) You have sludge. I would leave it alone. If you’re thinking of removing it then consult a mechanic that’ll be fastidious. I lost an engine because they scraped sludge and didn’t do it correctly.

2) I will defer to seasoned Nigeria mechanics in here to recommend oil. I use oil based on my own proven knowledge and ready to own any mishap.

Good luck.

Mancala:
The oil mantra that works for me is "Change it hot and change it often"! 3k miles on todays oil blends may be a bit excessive but it certainly can't hurt (worst case, maybe your oil drain plug gets stripped sooner). 4.5 -5k mile intervals is possible even on dino oil and longer on synthetics. I say this with countless oil analyses on vehicles over my driving experience.... 30+ cars and counting. However, time is another factor you should consider. Even if you haven't done the targeted miles, you should change your oil at least once every 6 months because oil collects moisture when a vehicle is not driven to operating temps frequently. This is another cause of engine sludge. Like they say, drive it like you stole it once in a while (Italian tune up)

All my vehicles, including my lowly Korope, sees redline on every trip.

Abbeyme:


Nice one.

I was preparing the vehicle again for a new week at that time. So I once opened my car engine to 'top' the oil - this is occasioned by my discovery - there is 'dripping' at my parking lot caused by a small leakage in the bottom oil seal. Before I topped the oil, I discovered some black 'frozen engine oil' just below the cover and above the crank (or what looked like the crank).
Is that the sludge?

How can I safely and permanently dislodge it?

Which oil do you think is desirable for my Corolla 2005? Miles is about 230k or thereabouts.

That’s sludge. Attached is my engine top

EgunMogaji2:


All my vehicles, including my lowly Korope, sees redline on every trip.

Lol, You are indeed a dare devil good sir . Casual driving in Nigeria is akin to playing Donkey Kong, not to talk of red lining the vehicle. You are continuously dodging obstacles like okada, Keke Marwa, pedestrians, cows, goats chickens, the oddball police checkpoint, road safety etc

Abbeyme:


Nice one.

I was preparing the vehicle again for a new week at that time. So I once opened my car engine to 'top' the oil - this is occasioned by my discovery - there is 'dripping' at my parking lot caused by a small leakage in the bottom oil seal. Before I topped the oil, I discovered some black 'frozen engine oil' just below the cover and above the crank (or what looked like the crank).
Is that the sludge?

How can I safely and permanently dislodge it?

Which oil do you think is desirable for my Corolla 2005? Miles is about 230k or thereabouts.

Yikes! This looks like a severe case of carbon build up commonly known as coking. Is this a diesel engine? It is basically oil that has oxidized at high temperatures and crustified to the state of coal. Does your engine frequently overheat? Common causes of this in a gasoline engine include poor timing, too much idling, improper air-fuel ratio, worn out or dirty air filters and excessive ring clearance. At 230k (miles or kilometers)…… i'd suspect ring clearance but start with the easier suspects.

ChiefSweetus:
Hi OP. I use Mobil 1 exclusively 5W-30 on my car. Haven't changed my oil or filter in a year (synthetic). Still below 4000miles so change oil light hasn't illuminated.

Any advise?

I’m newly back to Nigeria after 33 years. I’ll defer advices on locally acceptable methods to local mechanics.

However on my Mini Cooper S in the USA I use Mobil 1 with a K&N oil filter on a 6 months / 5,000 miles rotating. I came up with this after sending my used oil to a lab for analysis.

Good luck.

Bluffly:

You didn't mention to us how to prevent sludge. Saying don't create sludge isn't enough.
-------------
Sludge” is what happens when the engine oil in your vehicle congeals and thickens. As your car's engine is exposed to continuous wear, it begins to break down. This is accelerated by elements like moisture, oxygen, and unwelcome debris that find their way into the oil.
Change your oil regularly at most at 5000km if not full synthetic. If engine is old do engine flush while I'd kind with appropriate chemical mixed with old oil in engine before draining. Do not drive while idling or put load, drain and wash your oil pan and clean your screen filter. At the end change your oil regularly.

I disagree. Saying don’t create sludge should be enough for a grown motoring adult to do research.

fabiano09:

I’m in almost same situation , I dropped my motor so as to do some repair on the beam and motor mounts , but I may have a leak from the oil pan or sump, now is it safe to clean out the oil pan and apply oil seal or just leave it like that? Is it a risky thing because the engine doesn’t really have any problems moving

Cleaning the oil pan shouldn’t be a problem but needs to be done properly. As in a clean environment.

ModHateMe:
nice post op...I honestly can't relate ...I asked God for a bicycle but i know God does not work that way , so i stole a bike and ask for forgiveness

If we had a good transportation system n Nigeria then owning a car is a financial waste really.

EgunMogaji2:


Cleaning the oil pan shouldn’t be a problem but needs to be done properly. As in a clean environment.

ok thanks

ShenTeh:
That 'stopped being a slave to a vehicle' ish got me thinking about my own freedom.

Egunmogaji of CarTalk Section.

Oga where do we stop with all the fluids in the car.

Foreign fuel?
Foreign engine oil?
Foreign brake/clutch fluid?
Foreign coolant?
Foreign windshield washer fluid?
Foreign gear oil?
Foreign grease?

Me, I no do again

EgunMogaji2:


I disagree. Saying don’t create sludge should be enough for a grown motoring adult to do research.

Wrong. Assumption is the mother of all failures. It was assumption that burst the first engine.

benefitzte:


Egbon....welcome sir
Honestly there is this local oil brand that I have been using for sometime now without any issues.
Reasons I went for it was that:
1. I see a lot of heavy duty trucks use the brand I then opted for the ones specified for cars.
2. Brand is manufactured in Kano but easily available in Ibadan, searched for it sometime early last year in some part of Lagos and couldn't find it.

Lesson learnt today is to continue with my local brand(especially on aged engines) but frequent change intervals.

My brother it’s well. It’s an engine not a human heart.

I’ll use local oil with no issues as long as the specs are in line.

chickwhiteowl:
Nice read. Would you care to share the name of your mechanic? My car has been leaking oil for a while now and all efforts to remedy has failed. Thanks

I cannot in good faith recommend a shade tree mechanic. I’m comfortable using him because it’s under somewhat supervision.

If you’re in Lagos or thereabouts please try RadAutoWorks and Gazzuzz.

Bluffly:

Wrong. Assumption is the mother of all failures. It was assumption that burst the first engine.

I stand and own my assumptions. Own yours.

EgunMogaji2:


I stand and own my assumptions. Own yours.

Stubborness blinds.

EgunMogaji2:


Madam, you prefer I should be working myself up about import oil on a pedestrian 18 year old vehicle?

She’ll eat local like me and like it

Yes. But you are made in Nigeria, she is not lol

I specialist on sinotruck engine. DM me

EgunMogaji2:


Sludge is caused when engine oil is left for too long in a vehicle and when the engine oil is allowed to operate in too hot of a condition.

It's not desirable but my automotive experience leads me to believe that it can be left alone successfully.

When I took my vehicle in for an unrelated work they decided to scrape off the sludge. Some of the sludge dislodged and left behind then blocked the oil passages in my engine and caused the engine to knock.

So my advice is to tell your local mechanic to leave your sludge alone and if they decide to want to scrape to off they should partly disassemble the oil system to make sure that any traces of dislodge sludge is removed.

Some swear on imported oil but I try to stick to local oil but change my oil and filter religiously at 3 months or 3,000 miles.

Or just bring it to me for full de-sludge in my beloved cabinet

radautoworks:


Yes. But you are made in Nigeria, she is not lol

The crude oil used in making foreign engine oil is from Escravos and Oloibiri Nigeria. All oil is local

Mancala:

The crude oil used in making foreign engine oil is from Escravos and Oloibiri Nigeria. All oil is local

Not after everything they do too it o. I should know. I get it out of the ground

Egbon...ekale sir. Your mastery, articulation and wisdom sweep me off every time. Keeps me on the lookout for another post by Egunmogji. I know one day I will meet you in person.

radautoworks:


Not after everything they do too it o. I should know. I get it out of the ground

Ahhhhhh, greetings to a fellow oilman! I quit the oilfields in my first incarnation in Nigeria. I managed wireline ops and later worked for the majors. Additives make the difference. Base oil is born and bred in Naija ;

USE SLUDGE REMOVER PERIOD

radautoworks:


Yes. But you are made in Nigeria, she is not lol

Nice one

Bluffly:

Stubborness blinds.

Obviously.

afoife:
Egbon...ekale sir. Your mastery, articulation and wisdom sweep me off every time. Keeps me on the lookout for another post by Egunmogji. I know one day I will meet you in person.

It’ll be my pleasure Sir. Now that my truck is back on the road we have commenced roaming the countryside

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