I have read from different places on google that there are different ways of cleaning out sludge from the engine besides taking it to a shop and doing a complete dismantle and clean. I'm mainly concerned about a DIY option, as money is tight. The car trim is a 2000 EX-V6.

My questions: is there one option better than the other of the options I'll list, if so why? If not, I'll assume my buddy's engine will be toast in the near future. On to the options I've read about.

1) Drain oil, pour diesel into the crank and let it idle, drain the diesel, repeat 2-4 times, replace old oil filter with a new one and add new oil.

2) Same as 1, but using ATF.

3) Add Seafoam (as directed by Seafoam bottle, following the instructions) into the crank, let it idle, drain oil, replace old oil filter with a new one and add new oil.

Thanks in advance.

-Mike

 

first this is posted in the wrong section - this should be in General Tech

second - why do you think there is sludge in your motor that needs to be cleaned out?

Out of all those the only thing I would do is the SeaFoam but I really see no reason for ever needed any of the methods you outlined.

 

My bad, I'm sorry. I've reposted in General Tech. Hopefully a mod will delete this post in this section.

We took off the engine cover and took a look inside and there is sludge.

Reasons I read for using diesel and ATF are that both act as a detergent/cleaner and serve to break down and clean out sludge. Same principle applies for SeaFoam.

 

I know I have heard of the diesel method.

IF it was my car I would just run the car with some high quality detergent oil and change it often for a while.

Drastic measures can cause drastic problems -- IMHO YMMV

 

If you get all the sludge out at once its not necessarily good. Things get clogged in the different little oil valves pumps and lines and clog up. If one section gets clogged then wherever that section is sending oil to in the engine stops getting oil. Causing a failure. The best way is to change oil, with a mild detergent like a high milage one, 3 or 4 times every 500 miles. And the third or fourth time it will come out clean and alive removed with out clogging any lines.

 

Like crispin said... Didn't see that till after, but I agree

 

Great suggestions everybody. We went ahead and put in some Castrol GTX (hopefully the detergents aren't too powerful) and we're changing the oil every 400-600 miles as timing will permit. So far so good. He hasn't noticed any performance increases yet, but we haven't opened up the crank yet either. We plan on opening it up after the 3 change, mainly for the purpose of seeing the contrast.