Why Does Engine Oil Sludge Up In A Vehicle?

Does it only occur locally or is it common event?

Sludge is a nightmare for many innocent car buyers. It's also a customer-relations disaster for several automakers, whose handling of the problem speaks loudly to tuned-in consumers. Sludge prone models sold new in 1998-2004 are still on the used car market. There have been class action lawsuit settlements, but no recalls.

As of July 2007, there are still current news reports of used car buyers whose engines froze up just days after what they thought was a bargain.

Sludge is gelled oil, thickened by overheating and contaminant build-up. Sludged oil galleries in the cylinder block or head deprive moving parts of critical lubrication.

Once the oil passages are clogged, the damage is done. Motor failure is just a matter of time. Subsequent proper oil change intervals will not stop the process. This is why a previous owner's service records are so important to used car buyers.

Engine oil gelling is expensive, and can happen over and over in susceptible models.

Average reported mileage at engine failure is 63k miles, with some nearly new engines freezing up with as low as 15,000 miles. Most of these were under warranty, but claims were denied.

A majority of the oil sludging occurred in former rental fleet cars, and lease returns, sold to naive bargain hunters.

Extended oil change intervals had been promoted for several years in the early 1990's.
But strict emissions standards and fuel mileage standards changed engine design. Starting around 1996, problems with extended drain intervals developed.

There was an attempt to bury the story, then manufacturer denial took over.
Almost every car manufacturer refused warranty claims, citing improper maintenance as the reason for sludged engines.

A few people just don't maintain their cars, but they don't all purchase these same failure prone models.

If oil change neglect is the main cause, the sludging should be spread across every engine type and car model.

As the cover-up continued, internet automotive forums lit up with reports of claim denials, stonewalling, and poor customer service by automakers.

Toyota, Saab, Audi, and Volkswagen ultimately stepped up, extending drivetrain warranties on sludging models.

Chrysler refused to extend warranty protection or expedite the claim process.

For vehicles engineered prone to sludge, there really is no solution.

For oil sludge prevention try the following.

Change engine oil at least as often as the "severe service" or "severe climate" interval in the owner's manual.

Replace the PCV valve, basically an oil vapor separator, every 30K miles.

Retain every receipt for each service or repair, making sure the vehicle identification number (VIN) and description of service performed are clearly written.

If your engine has overheated, replace the oil and repair the cooling system immediately.

Car buyers must learn to shop for more than the "best deal" and "low monthly payments." Many of these sludgers were "bargains." They were sold as new cars by fat incentives, easy credit lease contracts, and rental fleet volume deals.

Car buyer beware.

For more on oil sludge, including models affected, click texas-cars-and-dealerships.com/engine-oil-sludge-gel.html Engine Oil Sludge

Reprinted From: www.texas-cars-and-dealerships

Comments By: Lansing Professional Fleet Services Auto Repair

This is a really good article. I wish more people would read this so the consumer can acknowledge the fact that this is going on. I do believe 2 things are responsible for this and I have seen it over and over again in my shop over past 15 years.

Why do engines sludge up in the first place?

First is the obvious extended drain intervals of oil changes. There are only a handful of vehicles that can survive on this model.

Second only a few synthetic oils made can even last 10,000-15,000 miles between oil change intervals. Notice I said synthetic oils. The problem is very few people want to spend the extra money on oil changes, all they want is the cheapest oil change available not realizing the long term damage they are doing to the engine.

Why now?

Todays engines have evolved to the point that most vehicles are running a fine tuned race engine under the hood and unsuspecting  car owners have not been made aware of this. These engines are capable of producing higher horsepower and fuel economy with lower emissions than ever before.  Most of the important intricate parts of the engine have now moved to the top of the engine and have to be lubricated more efficiently. This change in engine design took place in the mid to late 1990's. Which coincides with the rise in complaints that were received.

In closing it is my belief that car manufactures know this and do not want their vehicles lasting beyond 100k miles. There is no money in it for them if your not buying a new vehicle every 5 years. They only offer these extended drive train warranties because they know it makes the consumer feel better because in the consumers mind the vehicle they just purchased is guaranteed for life!

Here is a link to another article I have published on this subject in greater detail.

Engine fluids and vehicle maintenance, what you need to know.

Comments on "Why Does Engine Oil Sludge Up In A Vehicle?"