VZ timing chain - engine sludge

[Tro]

So over the weekend I pulled off the timing cover, to fix a leak

Found sludge as per previous posts here(not quite as bad however), cars getting old I guess!
I did notice the tappet cover valves blocked

Now I don't want to rebuild or have the car off the road at all, its the family wagon!
We are looking at upgrading anyways, but I don't know when! (obviously sooner now..)

The timing chain on the passengers side cam - was a little loose on the opposite side to the tensioner
Any advice here, assuming this isn't normal...

Now I don't see any point replacing this without replacing all 3, and I also don't see the point in doing this if I don't clean all the sludge out properly
I also would feel guilty selling it like this, however it does run very good
I have had the car 6 years and oil change every xmas - less than 5000km (most driving in my work car)

Thoughts???

Tro

 

[greenacc]

Bugger! By the sound of it in guessing it gets used for a lot of short trips which is likely the problem.
I would clean off the visible sludge while you've got access to it and unblock everything. It's going to get worse if you don't, but be careful you don't leave little bits of sludge behind or they will block up other things.
And do a few more oil changes next year and take it for a few long runs.
Which oil do you use?

 

[alloytec sludge]

So over the weekend I pulled off the timing cover, to fix a leak

Found sludge as per previous posts here(not quite as bad however), cars getting old I guess!
I did notice the tappet cover valves blocked

Now I don't want to rebuild or have the car off the road at all, its the family wagon!
We are looking at upgrading anyways, but I don't know when! (obviously sooner now..)

The timing chain on the passengers side cam - was a little loose on the opposite side to the tensioner
Any advice here, assuming this isn't normal...

Now I don't see any point replacing this without replacing all 3, and I also don't see the point in doing this if I don't clean all the sludge out properly
I also would feel guilty selling it like this, however it does run very good
I have had the car 6 years and oil change every xmas - less than 5000km (most driving in my work car)

Thoughts???

Tro

be very careful of what you loosen because it will end up in the sump and block the strainer screen to the oil pump then its all over

 

[gossie]

I'm interested in knowing the oil you have been using also please.

 

[Tro]

Bugger! By the sound of it in guessing it gets used for a lot of short trips which is likely the problem.
I would clean off the visible sludge while you've got access to it and unblock everything. It's going to get worse if you don't, but be careful you don't leave little bits of sludge behind or they will block up other things.
And do a few more oil changes next year and take it for a few long runs.
Which oil do you use?

We do the odd long run, but mostly short runs as you pointed out
I did use an old vacuum and reduced the hose down to about 14mm, poked away and cleaned what I could

Its all up and running now, about to put a litre of diesel in it and do a flush
Then a few days with some penrite oil and change again to Castrol 5-30 full synthetic (with filter changes also as I go)
In the past I have used shell 10-40, so trying something different

If I keep the car ill do more regular changes, but I don't have the time to drive long distances very often!

Tro

 

[gossie]

Why the Hell 10-40?????????? Read ya books PLEASE. Why why why????????

 

[greenacc]

The 10W40 would be OK for long trips when it's nice and hot but for short trips probably a bit thick.
I'm guessing it was a semi syn 10W40 too?

 

[Tro]

Why the Hell 10-40?????????? Read ya books PLEASE. Why why why????????

I got the advice to use that oil from this forum some years ago

The sludge is not bad like others have experienced, I don't think its a bad oil
I am guessing the blocked breather played its part... possibly the chicken or egg debate?!

Tro

 

[Tro]

The 10W40 would be OK for long trips when it's nice and hot but for short trips probably a bit thick.
I'm guessing it was a semi syn 10W40 too?

Full Synthetic oil

Tro