Does that used car you're thinking of buying have a sludge problem? You'd better read this!

For people buying a used car, there is a very important but rarely checked factor to consider that goes beyond kicking the tires: original sin.

Some best-selling models appear to have an increased risk of serious mechanical problems, particularly if scheduled oil changes were not made during the vehicle's formative years. The threat is the buildup of sludge -- gooey tarlike deposits -- that reduces or shuts off oil circulation and can mean thousands of dollars to repair or replace an engine that has seized.
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DiamondJim - 3/10/2007 9:44:08 PM

+1 Boost

is there a video of this somewhere so we can do it ourselves?

DiamondJim - 3/11/2007 7:29:36 PM

+1 Boost

this project sounds like fun and i am currently doing my own oil changes because i think it's fun, but doing this diesel thing scares me honestly. if you're on the east coast i wouldn't mind you showing me in person.

i switched to synthetic last fall, the 0-w30 German Castrol, the one that says "Made in Germany" on the back and only sold at Autozone. right before i did the change, i put half a can of Seafoam in the oil and drove for about 500 miles, then i drained oil, and since i already assumed it was flushed because of the Seafoam, i simply poured in the new TRUE synthetic oil, and OMG the car FLEW down the highway! don't konw if that had the same effect, but i hope it did.

DiamondJim - 3/14/2007 3:38:23 PM

+1 Boost

thanks for the help, i think im just gonna use the seafoam then a few hundred miles before i do an oil change since im already using a true synthetic. that german castrol is one fantastic oil!

2JZSoarer - 3/10/2007 12:34:28 AM

+1 Boost

Must be the oil companies,and not the automakers!!!