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  #1  
Old 09-26-2007, 08:23 PM
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Unhappy Engine Oil gets dirty real fast.

Hey guys
i'm trying to find out what i should do if my enginwe iol is getting dark fast. It turns pitch dark in a month. Sould i take the pan out and clean it ? Is this serious?

What shoud i do? Any ideas?

max
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  #2  
Old 09-26-2007, 09:39 PM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
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How many miles?
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Old 09-26-2007, 10:00 PM
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I have seen that with other cars that were purchased and come to find out, the oil had not been changed very often and all of the sludge would get stirred up from the bottom of the pan which made it dirty very quickly. I would drop the pan and find out what it looks like. If it is dirty, you can clean it and see how much gunk is in it. The oil should not get dirty that fast. Let us know what you find.
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  #4  
Old 09-27-2007, 02:35 PM
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I'd also try an engine oil cleaner at your next oil change. They sell them at most parts stores for around $5 a can. You dump the stuff in before the oil change, idle the engine for a few minutes, then do an oil change.
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  #5  
Old 09-27-2007, 03:30 PM
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I would definitely pull the pan and wipe all the sludge out of it. I've never had the oil pan off my SVX, so I don't know how difficult a task you are looking at, but it's the only way to get all of the sludge out of the pan. I also agree with Earl about sludge being caused by not changing the oil in a timely manner. An oil cleaner would also help to clean areas you can't get to.
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Old 09-27-2007, 03:33 PM
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I've heard really good things about 'seafoam.' My friend just used a bottle he picked up at Napa. I think he used half of the bottle in his gas tank for the injectors then put half into the crankcase. After driving a couple of days he changed the oil and noticed a lot of junk coming out. It worked really well for him. Take it for what it's worth.
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Old 09-27-2007, 03:50 PM
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I have heard lots of good stuff about Seafoam as well.
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  #8  
Old 09-27-2007, 06:49 PM
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Have also used some paint thinner ... (no b.s.)

with good success on the ticking turbo subes ( they get sludged up and the lifters are a ticking nightmare)
Add it before you change the oil and let it idle high for about 5 min.

You won't believe the s*** that comes out and the oil is as thin as water ...

cleaned out both SVXi recently before adding mobil 1 synthetic.
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  #9  
Old 09-27-2007, 08:19 PM
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Smile 110,000

The car has 110,000 miles. I think the guy who had it didnt use the car much or change the oil. I'm gonna try taking out the pan and also some of the oil cleaner this weekend if possible. Will let you know about the results.

By the way is sea foarm a injector cleaner or a oil cleaner.

Thanks alot for your advice.
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  #10  
Old 09-27-2007, 09:41 PM
914helo 914helo is offline
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You can supposedly use Seafoam in gas, oil, or even vacuum lines to clean up some carbon buildup. I've never personally needed it on my car but have known people that think it's great.
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  #11  
Old 09-27-2007, 10:03 PM
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I have used seafoam and will say like the others. Good stuff. It does oil, gas and intake. Use it with knowledge though. Hydro-lock is not good.
And, I would not drop the oil pan if it isn't leaking. Just use a crankcase cleaner before going to extremes. Dealing w/ an PO's neglect can suck. good luck.
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  #12  
Old 09-27-2007, 11:45 PM
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I agree. Don't drop the pan unless you really need to. Try the cleaners first and hopefully it will take care of it.
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1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831
1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680
1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229
1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car)
1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913
1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164
1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176
1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215
1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525
1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624
1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961
1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855
1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872
1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097
2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951
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  #13  
Old 09-28-2007, 08:55 AM
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some cleaners tell you that if it is really bad you still need to drop the pan after using the product.

i use about 1/2 to a full quart of oil to flush out an engine if I suspect gunk after a treatment. I let the drain plug out and pour the oil in and let it push out stuff that didn't make it out the first time. oil is cheap...engines aren't
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  #14  
Old 09-28-2007, 09:11 AM
STORMINORMAN STORMINORMAN is offline
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Lightbulb Try the Search functio for "Auto-Rx"

It really works! Cleaning out the pan 1st is a very good idea: while you are at it, be sure to properly service the transmission! The chances are that if the previous owner neglected the oil he probably neglected the transmission, also...

Cheers!
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  #15  
Old 09-28-2007, 09:28 AM
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I have a great desire to drop my oil pan... I want to clean the gunk out of it, as i'm sure it's never been done. Why would i want to not do this? I change oil regularly, yet my oil is black as tar after about 20 miles of running.
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