Hi, guys im new to the forum. ok i just bought a durango and the has sluge built up on it, my check engine light is on,but the truck run good ,idont know what to do about the sluge, should i have the engine rebuilt???

 

Hows your oil pressure?

My D had a problem like this. I was told it's from a design standpoint with the magnums...but I don't know. I was told that antifreeze would leak into the truck engine.

2 facts about my truck:
1 I was consatnly adding antifreeze
2 I had a sludge problem, and oil pressure problem.

Coincidence...who knows

I added a coolant system sealant (bards I think in a small round tube with red caps) and I went to an oil change place and had them run an engine cleaner through the engine. It removes sludge and buildup and such. you can get it at and auto parts store and do it yourself also. When I took it their, I had ZERO oil pressure. they added it and it instantly broke through and I had oil pressure.

All I know is I don't have sluge and oil pressure problems anymore and I don't add antifreeze anymore. It's been atleast 3-4 years now with no problems.

Might be worth a try for you. Lot less than a new engine too!

 

Do not add crap to your radiator for this there is a tsb onit for the proper fix. Make sure you go with a reputable name if you are going to do an engine oil flush too. There are no regulations to keep these no name companies from selling you skunk **** and calling it an engine oilflush. Pretty much the only time you want to use alumaseal or something else along those lines is in an emergency situation and you want to flush it out really well ASAP. It can clog your radiator up and cause it to cool a lot less efficiently. I'll do a search and see if I can find the TSB on the sludge issue.

 

my engine was making an awful lifter noise that was driving me nuts, so I drained about 1-2 litres of oil out of my motor and put some tranny fluid in it, then I drove it for about 20kms and then drained it right away, the oil was hot a hell and I burnt my hand a lil bit, but it was worth it. and it cleaned out the sludge and my lifter noise is almost gone.

I would try the tranny fluid, that should get rid of most of your sludge.

 

Where did you learn that one Johnny??? AlsoI want a second opinion on this guys, good or bad?

 

Dude that is soooooooo old school. [:'(]This is not advisable.
[sm=icon_rofl.gif]

 

Ive heard the tranny fluid trick a while ago probly like 5-6 years ago when I was doing my apprenticeship(sp?). a mechanic told me that trick for sticky lifters and sludge. my 82 ram 360 was doing that at the time and he told me to dump some tranny fluid in there and drive it for a while..... low a behold, it was gone. I guess tranny fluid is thinner and has a higher detergent in it or somethin like that.. all I know is it works and doesnt dammage the motor.

I used to run about 1/2 litre in every oil change in my old ram and it ran soo much better. I just tried it in my 99 and it worked good. I dont trust most off the shelf stuff as they would probly eat at the seals.



but I would like to know if anyone else has heard or did this too.

 

Yep got your back on this Jonny. My 99 D 5.2, bought used @ 52,000 on or about the86,--- mile mark, I was pulling my 22' Fun Deck boat and BAM, I lost complete oil pressure. First off Mean is right do your home work! I had to talk to three Mechanics before I found a viable and good gut feeling option. An old school mechanic who installed a new oil pump and crank kit. He gave me a 6 month/10,000 mile warranty, but for the six months he did the oil changes. Those oil changes for the six months were every month or 1,000 miles, during that time it was 4 qts oil/ 1 qt Tranny fluid. He said in the old days they would have used kerosene but that is to harsh. The tranny fuild has the cleaner butthelubricant properties. I also use Castrol 20/50, says he has NEVER seen that stuff sludge up. I tried in my 91 S-10 missed one change and it still came clean. My Chevy has 202,000 and its the 4.3. D has now 126,000 miles and still running strong. Oh yeah and that is the last time my dumb a$$purchases an used vehicle before my mech looks at it!

This mechanic I found ran special beverages in the back woods of NC, in his younger days.

 

Whats the black smoke comeing from tthe tail pipe mean?its runing to lean or rich???thanks you guys im going to do the engine flush

 

I'm thinking rich.