Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Well, Steve, we're making a lot of assumptions about what I have or haven't seen in terms of the amount of sludge that can build up in a motor, aren't we? We could compare notes and I bet I've been in more old motors in compromised states than you have. (see? now I'M making assumptions about you without knowing anything about you, either!) If you had read the post a bit more carefully, you would have noted that I referred to a "good running motor", not a junker that had been neglected for decades and might have had the oil pump inlet (or other passages) occluded by sludge.

Sludge (1/2 inch or maybe more) is a fact of life in pre-detergent oil motors. It's not harmful in MOST cases; it's solid and isn't going anywhere. Disturbing it so that it circulates into the bearings, etc IS harmful. Better to leave it undisturbed until the ENTIRE motor can be cleaned during a rebuild, IMO.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

I made no assumptions, you stilll make no sence, how could removeing the pan to clean out sludge be detrimental to the engine? Your taking it off and removing crap, and putting back clean??????

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Naw! Chris, It ain't beginner's luck,
Chief would say, "IT'S SUPER SKILL!":D
Keep on wrenchin' Bill W.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Pried the oil pan off. Foolish me I thought it would come loose just by the weight of it. Used slim putty knife all the way around & separated gasket from pan. Had to beat the baffle out of the oil pan. It was stuck in retaining grooves. Question is: after cleaning the pan can see some beginnings of rust. Is this to be expected? Do I need to do anything to the pan before I put it back together? Attached pix of oil pan.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

The rust doesn't look too bad. Are there any deep pits? I like to sandblast the inside and paint it with PPG DP-90, and top coat it with DCC 9000.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Tom, you would sandblast the inside of an oil pan? Do you go to church every day? I would treat the rust which doesn't look bad with phosphoric acid and not paint at all. Why risk paint flaking off in 20 yrs and clogging a pump?

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, But a detergent Anything, Soap, oil, etc. Means it holds the dirt in suspension. It doesn't mean that it dissolves dirt or grease (sludge).
Terry

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

He may mean the outside.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

No, I do paint the inside just like many industrial and marine engines. Never had a problem doing this and it makes the oil drain better, and keeps the acids from coming in contact with the metal on the oil pan.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

As a rule of thumb, how often should the pan be dropped? I have a 1930 Tudor and dropped the pan to fix an oil leak and found the main tube was missing, the oil leak is fixed, but I read somewhere it should be dropped every so often because there is no filter

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

10-15 years will do it.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Every time you check your main and rod bearings will do!

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

I agree, pay me now or pay me later; sometimes the hard way is the easy way.
Years ago I switched a small fleet of school busses over from non detergent to detergent oil. At every regularly scheduled oil change interval, one more quart detergent and one less quart non detergent. Much more time involved than pulling the pan and side cover off of a model a engine; just my experience.
Chet

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

I like all Yall's answer! Looks like I'm good till the oil leak gets worse :) I started using a 15/40 diesel oil in it lately, she was on 5/30 for awhile, till I found out better. Thank you all for the help :)

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

I agree with what Terry says. A quart of MMO or ATF added with detergent oil at each oil change will clean the sludge a little with each oil change. The only way that I plan to remove an oil pan is with the engine removed and on the engine stand.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

If you can not remove the pan and side cover to do proper maintenance, why not take it to a shop or dealer and have it done for you? You can supply the gaskets if they can't. My Ford dealer will do the job.

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Really!!??

Re: Cleaning oil pan sludge without dropping it- before changing to detergent based o
 

Any good mechanic can do this job.