Whats up! i am new here, and in dire straits right now. First off, thanks in advance for any advice. I have an 02 Durango 4.7 2wd with a serious sludge problem. Its not from coolant, its just a black thick carbon sludge buildup in the oil pan. I lost oil pressure completely, tried to add a lil diesel and motor flush, pressue came up to first line then dropped again, drained the oil and some of the nastiness came out. Well, I loosened the mounts, raised the engine as far as I could, dropped the pan, and HOLY S**T there is serious sludge in there - up to 3/8" in some spots. I believe whats happening is the sludge clogs the oil pickup screen, so no flow. The problem i have now is I can't get the oil pan out past the bellhousing bolt flange on the tranny. Do I need to drop the trans to get the pan out? Is there a way to do this without removing the trans?

 

here is the "book" .....
i posted because "structial cover" might be over looked

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Front axle from vehicle
     
     
   • Structural dust cover
   • Engine oil and remove oil filter
   • Oil pan mounting bolts and oil pan
   • Oil pump pickup tube and remove tube and oil pan gasket from engine

To Install:

1. Clean the oil pan gasket mating surface of the bedplate and oil pan.
2. Install or connect the following:
   • Oil pan gasket and pickup tube with new o-ring and mounting bolt and nuts
     1. Torque to: 20 ft. lbs. (28 Nm)
   
   
   • Oil pan and the mounting bolts
     1. Torque to: 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm)
   • Structural dust cover
   • Oil filter
   • Front axle
3. Lower vehicle.
4. Fill engine oil.
5. Start engine check for leaks.

 

the structural cover is removed ( you cant drop the rear oil pan bolts without it ). thanks though.

 

Well, I managed to fandangle the pickup tube and the gasket out, the tube and screen are caked with sludge, in some areas the gasket has over 1/4" of crap on it!

 

from what a few local mechanics around here told me(yes they're personal friends and dont like to screw people), is that castrol will do that to a motor, despite their claims of anti sludge. but either way, i stick with what comes with the 300,000 mile guarantee. Valvoline Synpower Full Synthetic 10W-30. with no additives.

 

Ya man 4.7L usually don't have a sludge issue, I would say that has to be do to the type of oil being used.. I personally use Mobile oil and never had an issue with it, Valvoline is also a great oil. Don't use Quaker state, Havoline or such oils brands, stay away from the jiffy lubes as well.

I hope u get it going and don't have any further damage internal. low oil pressure is BAD for these engines...

 

and not just any pix. Specific pixs to your 4.7 and your D. Don't slip is just any photos, I am looking for actual Durango 4.7l photos. Let's see your D from the side with the pan down, and the pickup screen held up next to your fender for proof. Serous sludge 3/8 an inch thick? Yea, a naysayer here. Indulge me with 10 foolproof evidence photos and I'll paypal you enough cash to pay for your new Mobil1 fillup. How's that for a deal?

IndyD

 

004x41500,

I don't want to dis your mechanic friends, but I must discredit you about your claim Castrol oil possilby sludging an engine. I have been a castrol user for almost 25 years. Ran this stuff on my turbo's for the first 15 years with over 150k miles on it. Never had issues. Now I have been using their syntec version for the entire 70k miles that I have driven on my Durango.

Sluding on a motor only happens from two conditions;

1. Poor mainentance (common here)
2. Mechnical part failure causing sludge. (Not as common as 1.)

As long as I have been a member in this forum, the only symptom that a user has found that may have caused sludging on a 4.7 specifically is a bad gasket/plenum from the main intake manifold that slowly leaks coolant into the oil. Over time, the coolant and oil mix with high temperature will sludge the engine. I remember a user even posted a Chrysler TSB concerning possible intake manifold gasket/plenum failure that can lead to oil sludging on a 4.7 specific engine.

I would recommend looking to check the plenum/gasket once you addressed the sludge in your engine.

 

I agree with KENSAI - castrol as an inferiour oil is BULL ****!!!!
If maintained with quality brand correct weight & API product is unlikely casuse

to add to his suspects of sludge ... not getting eng up to temp- short drives- pcv system.

 

well, cleaned out the crap and it runs perfect - except for the trouble codes p0733 and p0725. 752 is a speed sensor code, but which one, the one on the rear axle or the trans? Oh, and INDY, the pics are a comin. I'll pm you my paypal.