Look at my Explorer's engine

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Apr 23, 2008 | 03:30 PM

#41

SodaLuvr

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Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Walnut Creek, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by iTimmy

There is experience you get in the field that you can't learn/see in a classroom. Oil formulas are constantly changing to meet new standards, so the Pennzoil of 5 years ago, is not the same as the Pennzoil of today. Very early in my days at the shop we had the classic example of a little old lady come in and she had a leaky valve cover, her husband always told her to get leaks fixed so she did. Upon removing the valve cover there appeared to be a film on the underside of the valve cover and we peeled off a 1/2" film that had the imprint of the valve cover embedded in it. It was translucent, like vaseline in color but more jelly like. She used only Pennzoil in the car and very seldom left town. Yes, this was almost 14 years ago now, but back then the "Pennzoil myths" as you call them, were not myths. When you see something like that in real life it tends to leave a foul impression on a brand of oil.

Honestly, I'm sure there was some truth to the Pennzoil sludge stories at some point, but I think it's still a bit unfair to state that every vehicle that used Pennzoil will be equally vulnerable to developing such a sludge condition. Even in the example you mentioned, without oil analysis, it's difficult to say if the oil was truly the cause of the problem.

Apr 23, 2008 | 03:41 PM

#42

spdy0001

Thread Starter

I now drive an accord....

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 4,800

Likes: 2

From: Etters, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaviNJCLs

Now I know who to hit up for help.

let me know

Apr 23, 2008 | 04:25 PM

#43

CL-Slick

Chillin' in my trailer

iTrader: (7)

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 8,343

Likes: 4

From: Mobile, Alabama

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdy0001

You can't judge engine condition by how much smoke a seafoam treatment generates

Ive seen people run a nearly new car with seafoam and it filled the block with smoke.

I never would have guessed that. Would it be bad to seafoam a new car then. My friend has a '07 Mustang GT and wanted to know if he should seafoam it.

Apr 23, 2008 | 04:29 PM

#44

TS_eXpeed

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 23,451

Likes: 54

.

Good thing you got that cleaned up! Might have caused some problems later down the road.

Apr 25, 2008 | 03:05 PM

#45

dallison

registered pw

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 38,859

Likes: 366

From: south central pa

damn, looks much nicer

Apr 25, 2008 | 03:18 PM

#46

spdy0001

Thread Starter

I now drive an accord....

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 4,800

Likes: 2

From: Etters, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL-Slick

Would it be bad to seafoam a new car then.

Probably not, but why would you want to....

Personally im not convinced seafoam does anything

Apr 27, 2008 | 12:01 PM

#47

CorvettePoor

Racer

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 341

Likes: 0

From: Witness Protection Program Somewhere, USA

Typical ford product....

Apr 27, 2008 | 10:05 PM

#48

spdy0001

Thread Starter

I now drive an accord....

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 4,800

Likes: 2

From: Etters, PA

Well bad news

Apparently too much of that sludge fell into the oil pan during the removal. We tried all this weekend to flush the oil, but it won't build oil pressure. I even tried replacing the oil pressure switch and still no reading. Last night I let it soak with about 7 quarts of kerosene in the engine. This morning drained it and all kinds of crap came out, but still no luck. At this point with buying a house this week and other things I don't have the time to work on it anymore. Its getting towed to a local shop this week to have them drop the oil pan. Gotta love fords design that the engine must be raised to remove the oil pan

Soo this wasn't a cheap fix after all, but you never know whats gonna happen till it does. At least its not my DD

Apr 28, 2008 | 11:37 AM

#49

bigman

'Big Daddy Diggler'

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 11,016

Likes: 4

From: Yonkers NY

sometimes older cars are better left alone.

Apr 28, 2008 | 12:11 PM

#50

spdy0001

Thread Starter

I now drive an accord....

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 4,800

Likes: 2

From: Etters, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigman

sometimes older cars are better left alone.

its cheaper to put a few hundred dollars into repairs every couple years then make payments

Got a few estimates today and it looks like its gonna be cheaper to just get a junkyard engine

$400 for one with 84K miles and a warranty.

Flame suit is on so you guys can say what you want, but some times repairs don't always go the best way

Apr 28, 2008 | 02:47 PM

#51

LuvMyTSX

Senior Moderator

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 14,667

Likes: 13

From: NY

Ugh, after all that work. Well, good luck with it.

Apr 28, 2008 | 04:24 PM

#52

mrmako

Someday, an RS6 Avant+

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 4,801

Likes: 1,289

From: Japan

That sucks.....For the effort to result in throwing another block in the thing.

Oh well, you said it was only a beater and not your DD.

Apr 28, 2008 | 06:56 PM

#53

SodaLuvr

Moderator

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 3,966

Likes: 13

From: Walnut Creek, CA

I just installed Auto-RX in a 04 Civic that probably has the same amount of sludge. (Two years and 14k+ without an oil service)

Let's hope that I won't run into the same issue that you did.

Apr 29, 2008 | 07:05 AM

#54

spdy0001

Thread Starter

I now drive an accord....

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 4,800

Likes: 2

From: Etters, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by SodaLuvr

I just installed Auto-RX in a 04 Civic that probably has the same amount of sludge. (Two years and 14k+ without an oil service)

Let's hope that I won't run into the same issue that you did.

If it isn't broke don't fix it

The only reason I tore into my engine was it had a leaky intake gasket. If you car is running fine don't touch it. Any "sludge" that may be removed with your Auto-Rx will have to go somewhere and most likely like my engine it got trapped by the oil screen. However it could be worse and all the crap could get stuck in tiny passages through out the engine.

You would have been better off changing the oil frequently with a good synthetic oil until it had time to clean it out safely.

Apr 29, 2008 | 12:14 PM

#55

SodaLuvr

Moderator

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 3,966

Likes: 13

From: Walnut Creek, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdy0001

If it isn't broke don't fix it

It's not my car, so no way am I going to do any manual cleaning.

Auto-RX said to the sludge will be liquified and will be picked up by the filter. They advised doing a filter change after 1250 miles, I think I'll definitely heed that recommendation.