Internal engine parts sludge removal? What works?

CalG · Aug 6, 2019

I'm looking into a high time gas engine, (generator usage)

It appears that regular oil changes might have been a novel concept for some of the many previous owners. (I don't own this one, and won't!

But the pan is off, everything below the crank shaft, and above the block deck is caked with sploogie to rock hard sludge.

I've tried a few things, hot water and detergent works as well as kero- diesel- or gasoline.

Elbow grease seems to be the only reliable solvent, but I don't have time for that.

Parts are off the block or will be, They just need to be cleaned up.

New Ideas?

chim · Aug 7, 2019

Steam Jenny?

Texasmark · Aug 7, 2019

I bought a 30 year old tractor and changed the oil and filter. Put the tractor to work for a few hours over several days and one day checked the dipstick. The new oil was black. Drained the oil and sure enough had about a quarter inch of sludge in the pan. Another oil filter change and this time dumped a 16 oz can of Sea Foam into the crankcase and ran it good and hot (white-red line intersection about 190F, not overheated) for half an hour or so at ¾ throttle sort of thing.

Upon draining a really black gooey mess, I put my finger back in the drain hole and the pan was almost completely clean. Did the oil filter thing again and this time it's staying relatively clean.

AWSubie · Aug 7, 2019

A hand held steam cleaner will do the job inexpensively ($40). But u may have to fill it several times. Have a can of WD-40 or similar to follow up with to avoid flash rust.

Grumpycat · Aug 7, 2019

I'll be a blasphemer and ask if the sludge is that hard to remove then what is it hurting other than the fact you know it is there? The only problem is if it breaks off and plugs an oil passage.

Does the engine have an oil filter? Thats not a perfect solution but it should help with hard sludge breaking off.

So-called "diesel" motor oils such as Rotella-T, Delo, Delvac, are equally rated for use in gasoline engines as with diesel. But has significantly more detergent properties than a typical gasoline-only motor oil. Use one of those knowing the oil will drain black as it slowly peels off some of the sludge, but not really harming anything.