Oil question for Fred... RE sludge cleanup.

[elwesso]

I went to autozone today to pick up some oil (10w30 dino is too think for winter, and I have an oil light on for about 5-7 sec on really cold startup, and a bit of valve clatter).... I got a case of valvoline durablend 5w30 when I get done with my cleaning, which is probably what I will run for a few changes....

Anyway, while was there i saw a case of the Exxon oil (in a red bottle) and I could get 2 cases (12qt) for $12... Tremendous price, as my durablend cost $17/6qt...... but I ask will this be fine for my cleanings (im gonna do 2, run for like 300 miles, use ATF right before the change, then run durablend for a while)

Also, I have a gallon of cheapo conventional ATF... is this fine to use for cleaning purposes.....? I know the consensus is to use mobil 1, but ive heard other places that conventional is fine to use....

I read about seafoam also... Is that too harsh for my application??

[Q45tech]

If you have no [under 3 psi oil pressure] for 5-7 seconds you have serious problems! My Q never shows the oil presure light for even 1 second after an oil change. EVER

It was 17F the other morning at crank [car had sat for 14 hours] with only 200 mile oil.......no problems

You may have some serious bearing wear as sludging doesn't lower oil pressure..[measure youroil pressure and graph it vs temperature every minute]........maybe a pan pickup screen problem.

I would pull the oil pan and find out.

We have now seen 4 93-96 Q with oil problems at 120k..........somebody was bad in the past.

[elwesso]

Oh boy... I have a feeling the damage has already been done, so all of this effort is ultimately futile.... I will be able to get a used takeout engine/transmission dirt cheap (I have the hookups) that has 91k on it, so I may just wait until then... Funny how it still runs VERY strong and burns no oil and NO smoke.... Am I wrong in my thinking??

[maxnix]

I will be able to get a used takeout engine/transmission dirt cheap (I have the hookups) that has 91k on it, so I may just wait until then....... Am I wrong in my thinking??

Might want to look this gift horse in the mouth very carefully.

[elwesso]

Fred and others.... Do you think an enviroltron engine flush would be a bad idea on my car??? Too much sludge?

[maxnix]

No such thing as too much sludge for envirolution process. May require multiple passes while hooked up, but it can cut the sludge.

Standard is two passes of 15 gallons of solution each pass.

Call Tom at Envirolution as posted previously for more details and answers to your questions.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[elwesso]

How much should I expect to pay for this process....?

Also, is the Blistein machine just as good...?? Id like to have options so i can find either thats closest to me......

[PalmerWMD]

Yes Brian is the right the envirolution process is not tooharsh.As ATF is would use the MOBIL1 ATF as engine is harsher environment than transmission so ATF in long term itself would get decomposed, choosing syn ATF maes the ATF safer.

Exxon Oil is good oil.

Since you have managed heavy stuff with car before oil pan removal is likely not out of your range.

Fred...

[PalmerWMD]

PS Envirolution MotorVAc and any similair process are generally equal.

Fred...

[elwesso]

Really, you think I could drop the pan easy enough???? IF thats the case, I might not be so hesitant to try a kerosene based flush.....

[Q45tech]

Always monitor the oil pressure while using any flush.WITH A GAUGE not the idiot light. The bearings you save, etc.

[Q451990]

The pan drop requires an engine hoist, removing the cross member support (garage jack lift point) etc... Without a lift I wouldn't try it!

I think I'd try the envirolution flush and see what happens. That's probably your best bet - and the one that'll get you good results if anything will.

The problem with harsh flushes is that you're not talking just one pan drop. I still remember Q45Tech's tales of that 96Q that they added a "trap door" to the oil pan to clean out the sludge every 100 miles or so. Even with all of the resources at T3 they eventually sent the car off to auction.

Heath

[elwesso]

I'll definitely look into an engine flush..... I'll call around to different places...

Dont most toyota dealerships have them?? I have a <farily> large one near my house, its hooked together with a cadillac dealer....

[elwesso]

Also, do I need to do any sort of cleaning before I do the engine flush, IE cleaning the passenger side valve cover, or I am gonna be COMPLETELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT safe by doing this in the current state!!!!

edit: I heard that Jiffy Lube does the bilstein engine flush, true/not true???

[texasoil]

I can recomend using the STP engine flush product. It really does work as advertised and is safe to use following the directions on the bottle. The old wives tale about using ATF to flush the engine does have a grain of truth, but the STP product is MUCH better both in cost, safety, and effectiveness.

[PalmerWMD]

We have some very good anecdotal evidence of some real eefective ATF cleaning sessions.

Rubin's S14 was noticabley cleaner on inspection before and after.

I advise memberrs to stay away from all flushes that advertise 5 minute cleaning action unless your engine is reasonably sludge free to begin with as repeated oil pan removals in quick succession are just not practical on Q45.

Fred...