Take care of your engine

[Garage 808]

The symptoms of a sludged up engine could vary, but generally speaking you will experience poor performance and poor idling. Reason being that the Vanos units don't open and close correctly, because it works on oil pressure. If the oil is thick and sludged, it can't flow through the units (and entire engine) properly. We've taken solid chunks of oil out before...

The best is to prevent sludging by regular servicing using good quality oil. If however the damage is done, you could start by using a good engine flush with your service. And then do another oil service and flush 5000KM after that. You'll have to monitor it to see if there's improvement. It's possible that you might have to shorten the service intervals to 10 000KM after that, depending on the severity of the sludging.

Worst case scenario: cylinder head will have to be removed, sent for cleaning (acid bath), remove sump and clean oil pump & pick up (or replace if too badly sludged).

As far as paying someone to service your car: firstly, make sure it is booked specifically for an oil change. (A customer thought the agents did an oil service before the car went out of Motorplan, but actually they just replaced a microfilter - he has condition-based services. See our post on Different types of Services). It's a tricky situation, as trust goes a long way. You are entitled to see the old parts that come out the car. However they can still pull something out the dirt bin and you wouldn't know the difference. If the car is still in Motorplan, we suggest you book a Formula 1 service, so you can wait for the car - and also see if they actually replace the oil and filter. Usually the customer lounge is situated close to the F1 bays.

Hope this helps.

 

[Philip Foglar]

I am all for mid interval services! Or for that matter at least once a year which in my case is roughly 10k km anyway!

 

[Photokid]

From my understanding, the service intervals/urgency is calculated by your driving style and not a specific KM range like in the past. So if you drive like a granny it would take longer for your next service. If you drive would a lead foot then that service is gonna come quick. :thumbs:

Then my foot must be on the road as I drive because I had my car serviced in dec, now have 2000 until next. I did not even cover 7000

Perhaps it's not a service for the same item. Such as oil then, and now brakes. It should show on the service section of the OBC.





I've also read that once sludge is built up, it's advisable not to use an engine flush as this may cause the loosened dirt to be trapped in the oil or engine and cause more damage than before. How true is this?

 

[Pfw28]

What's the best way to clear sludge from ur car.

There are many threads on this issue on the forum, I personally use the p/fin flush method. Drain the oil, warm, fill with paraffine, start and idle for 3 - 5 min (DO NOT REV), drain and leave to drip out. Refill with new oil, change the filter, done. Quick and simple. :thumbs:

 

[Iceman007]

:thumbs:
It helps allot to change the oil inbetween normal services. when I sold my E46 i Had all the proof of these services and when the guy came to look at the car he said he will decide and then I gave him the file with all the invoices of all the inbetween oil services and he bought the car straight away. Diff and gearbox oils were also changed every 80k :thumbs:

 

[Nic_s]

I service both my E30 318 and E34 540 roughly once a year. In the last 3 years of owning the 540, I've only added about 12 000km to the clock. I think the 318 only did about 6000 km last year.

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Keep the tips coming :thumbs:

Greatly appreciated.

 

[Garage 808]

:thumbs:
It helps allot to change the oil inbetween normal services. when I sold my E46 i Had all the proof of these services and when the guy came to look at the car he said he will decide and then I gave him the file with all the invoices of all the inbetween oil services and he bought the car straight away. Diff and gearbox oils were also changed every 80k :thumbs:

That's really great! The new owner is very blessed. :bravo:

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From my understanding, the service intervals/urgency is calculated by your driving style and not a specific KM range like in the past. So if you drive like a granny it would take longer for your next service. If you drive would a lead foot then that service is gonna come quick. :thumbs:

Then my foot must be on the road as I drive because I had my car serviced in dec, now have 2000 until next. I did not even cover 7000

Perhaps it's not a service for the same item. Such as oil then, and now brakes. It should show on the service section of the OBC.





I've also read that once sludge is built up, it's advisable not to use an engine flush as this may cause the loosened dirt to be trapped in the oil or engine and cause more damage than before. How true is this?

When the engine is already sludged, the damage is basically already done. By doing a flush, one is trying to undo the damage. It really depends on how severe it is. That's why it might be necessary to do another flush in 5000km, or worst case, remove everything and have it chemically cleaned. It is of course possible for pieces to come loose and get lodged somewhere, but it should drain with the old oil.

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What's the best way to clear sludge from ur car.

There are many threads on this issue on the forum, I personally use the p/fin flush method. Drain the oil, warm, fill with paraffine, start and idle for 3 - 5 min (DO NOT REV), drain and leave to drip out. Refill with new oil, change the filter, done. Quick and simple. :thumbs:

Eventhough we've heard of people doing this (and various other methods), it's not recommended. To run the engine purely on paraffin (even for a few minutes, is risky. Paraffin in itself is great for cleaning, but is not a lubricant. It really is better to use a paraffin-based flush. One might have to be a bit more patient with the "un-doing" of the damage, but the risk is greatly reduced.

But of course, to each his own. :=):

 

[muhammedmanjoo]

I have an E36 M3 and a Toyota Tazz both get oil changes every 5000km and a paraffin flush as well