"....Fail and Burn..." That sounds ominous, painful and expensive.
I'm gonna do it this way from now on.
On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 2:15 PM, Bernd D. Ratsch <bernd@dodgetrucks.org> wrote:
>
> We normally remove the valve covers, remove the oil pan, and clean up as
> much as we can (using a shop vac to catch most of it). Then, drain the oil
> and fill with 50/50 oil/diesel (or Oil/ATF). Run it for no more than 10
> minutes at low idle, drain the system, and refill with 5w20 and a new
> filter.
>
> It's not a guarantee but it does help out cleaning up the sludge. Once it's
> in the cam journals...it's just a matter of time before they fail and burn
> up the cam or shear the cam gear dowl pin.
>
> - Bernd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phillip Batson [mailto:pbatson68@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 1:59 PM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: Re: DML: 4.7 sludge fix
>
>
> My question would be, isn't there something a mechanic can do to make sure
> that sludge is cleaned out of an engine/oil journals?
> I've used synthetic the whole time, and have over 100k on mine. Maybe it
> would be worth it to have the mechanic drop the oil pan and check for sludge
> next time I have it in.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Michael Maskalans <dml@tepidcola.com>
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 5:07:13 PM
> Subject: DML: 4.7 sludge fix
>
>
> Thought this might be worth some discussion on The List....
>
> <http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=695250>
> >
> > Amazing save on sludged up 4.7 engine with no oil pressure and 170k
> >
> > My buddies 2002 Durango SLT 4.7 liter engine with 170,000 on the clock
> > lost pressure. Valve lifters were beginning to knock, and everyone
> > thought the engine was a gone-er. He was obsessive about 3k oil
> > changes with decent quality oil at the dealer, so this engine was not
> > neglected.
> > The pan was dropped 3 months ago for an oil pump change (done by a
> > mechanic friend of his despite not being necessary at the time - long
> > story), and it had sludge in it despite oil changes. It was cleaned
> > but that means the engine musta' been full of crap at that time.
> >
> > Then I decided to try an old trick. I had him add a quart of gunk oil
> > cleanser, the kind you use during oil changes. (Years ago I woulda'
> > used
> > auto tranny fluid). Ran the engine 5 minutes, drained oil, let engine
> > sit 40 minutes to cool, reapplied cheapo oil and another can of gunk
> > oil cleaner and another 5 minutes. Then drained and inserted new
> > Mobil1 oil filter and Mobil1 5w-30 oil.
> >
> > Pressure came back to normal!!! Valve lifter tapping went away!!!
> > Engine is quieter than my 2003 Durango 4.7 with 47k on the clock.
> >
> > We were both so happy we drove for a victory lap, got snacks, beers,
> > and celebrated.
> >
> > Now, does that mean the oil journals are totally clean...I doubt it.
> > Are they 20% blocked or 80% blocked with sludge?...I don't know. Doom
> > could be around the corner, but for this hour we live on! A $3k engine
> > swap is on hold! I wouldn't trust it to go coast to coast, but if it
> > survives the next thousand miles I will say it is as safe as its gonna
> > be.
> >
> > Maybe this Gunk oil treatment might help others. I hope so because
> > 170,000 miles is the usual sludge point for these sludge making
> > engines.
> > I see lotsa' posts about the 4.7 liter dying at 170,000.
> >
> > I'm not usually on this BB, but I do know cars and I do lots of
> > wrenching. This site has helped me with a couple of things, so I
> > wanted to give something back, even if it is small.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > T
>
>
>
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