Here's what my '99 with 190K looks like with the covers off...





I change the oil and filter every 5K or sooner. Mobile 1 has been used for most of its life. It doesn't look good under there so I'm wondering what I should do next. Do you think I should try to flush the sludge out in some way, or is that too risky?

 

How about putting the covers back on, and keep changing oil as you were? At 190K, if something will stop your Yota, it's not likely to be that sludge. Messing with it, will likely do more harm than good.

 

Just out of curiosity, what kinda of driving do you do? Is your commute to work a short one ??

I've seen engines sludge up like this even with good oil changes because of really short commutes not getting the oil fully heated up.


FOG

 

do not try to clean it up!!! use good oil and replace the thermostat to ensure that it runs at optimal temps!!! removing build up in an engine is a sure fire way to get it to go bad!!!

 

seafoam....

 

This is what I'm leaning towards. I just don't like seeing the sludge.

 

I'm a runner/courier for a law firm and a college student, so short trips in stop and go traffic are the norm. I was still expecting a cleaner engine with short interval synthetic changes though.

Anything I can do to prevent it from getting worse?

 

drive her hard

 

lighter oil would heat up better!!! I do not mean use all lighter oil but rather use a quart of 5weight on the next change!!!

TOO MANY MILES FOR SEAFOAM!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'd put the covers back on, shorten the OCI to 3000 miles, replace the PCV valve, use a good filter and cut it open after every oil change to see how plugged up its getting.

It looks like to me the oil is getting too hot, but I'm no expert.

You didn't mention which M1 you use now, but I just switched away from M1 in my vehicles. Pennzoil Platinum is my current fill in my BMW, and getting ready to try Rotella T6 synthetic in my truck.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see your oil filter look something like this at 3000 miles. Might even want to change it at 1500.

 

x2 that was my first thought as soon as I saw the pics.

 

Looks to me that the sludge is on the decline...

Are you the original owner? The PO might have neglected the truck..

But I wouldn't mess with it too much. If you do, it might become a bigger project than you want.

 

Yeah Mike here had it much worse: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/o...ttacks-167704/

I think it your case just run it with short OCI and keep an eye on the filters and definitely change the PCV valve before you put the covers back on. IMHO the trick is to clean it up slowly, not to try to get it all out quickly where it can clog the small passages, pickup screen, filter, etc...

If you have the energy drop the pan and check out the bottom end and clean up the pickup screen. Keep in mind all that stuff that breaks loose has to try and make its way through the pickup screen.

Borrowing a pic from Mike's thread:

 

Its strange, the left side of this pic looks in decline, but the right side looks like its just getting going.

 

After your done driving around for the day, get up on the highway and drive for 10-15miles to get the engine nice and hot to boil the water out of the oil.

Also try mobile one 5W-40 weight turbo diesel oil, I run it in my 4runner and have used in other vehicles with sludge problems and it worked really good.


FOG

 

I don't understand the water/sludge correlation? Is this something you've experienced FOG?

Might send off a sample for UOA, they will report water in % and you'll know if its a problem.

 

how come you took the cover off to begin with.. just checkin things out or was there a problem you were trying to address? Good luck with gettin it into better shape.

 

This is interesting: http://www.autosafety.org/toyota-bro...repair-program

 

Oil was leaking past the valve covers. I'm in the process of changing the gaskets right now.

Thanks