If your motor has sludge deposits similar or worse than what is pictured above, we would consider this to be heavy sludge.
It is quite obvious that without immediate proactive maintenance on this motor, it is highly likely that it could be headed for catastrophic failure. The whole key is to address the problem before sludge deposits impede the flow of oil in parts of the designed oil flow paths. We have seen much worse accumulations of sludge. Sludge at this level can be treated in two ways. This motor could be cleaned up by running two heavy sludge applications run back to back, then followed up with the maintenance dose level added to each oil change.
Or you could use what we call the Fast Track Method for Severe Sludge.
The Fast Track Application will help you get faster results in dismantling the mass of oxidized oil deposits. The application is as follows:
1) Drain the existing oil and remove the old oil filter.
2)Install a new oil filter.
3)Fill the crankcase with mineral based motor oil, leaving enough space for the Auto-Rx addition that will come later.
4)Warm up the motor for approximately 2 to 3 minutes so as to build a little heat in the motor oil.
5)Add the entire contents of 2 12 fluid ounce bottles of Auto-Rx.
6)Run the motor for an additional 5 minutes or 2 to 3 miles to disperse the Auto-Rx evenly throughout the motor oil.
7)Operate the car or truck as you normally would for 3000 miles with one important exception, step 8.
8)Change out the oil filter only at 1000 to 1200 miles and top off the oil level if needed.
9) After accumulating 3000 miles, drain the oil and replace the filter and refill with fresh oil only.
10)Drive an oil change interval of 3000 miles, with a filter only change at 1500 miles.
Not all sludge is created equal. Some motors have very hard deposits, resembling charcoal, while others can have a softer, gooey black paste appearance. Sludge can form from a variety of reasons and will clean up a different rates based on how it was formed in the first place. A motor in the condition pictured above would warrant a 3 bottle purchase. You have already used up 2 bottles in the first phase of the fast track application. Depending on the cleaning progress achieved at this point, you can use the third bottle to run a standard or basic application for further cleaning, or incrementally use the third bottle in what we call the maintenance dose. The maintenance dose is merely adding 3 fluid ounces or ¼ of a bottles worth with each oil change, to maintain engine oiling system cleanliness.
Please Read:If by chance you get an oil warning light AND the engine is not in obvious distress, change the filter at first opportunity and see if it goes away. If the engine shows signs of distress, stop operating it immediately and change the filter as the first course of corrective action before any other service is performed. This is a standard advisory for all engines. This is more a Lexus-Toyota issue but can happen to any car depending on a number of factors.
Important note about oil choice:Use a conventional or group III mineral oil for all phases of the application. Also, in heavily sludge motors it is an excellent choice to run an oil such as Rotella T, made by Shell. Rotella is actually designed for light diesel applications and as a result has a greater ability to disperse or suspend dissolved oil deposits.
When Finished Cleaning Of Engine. Start Auto-Rx Maintenance Program
-- Edited by dbdeland on Tuesday 24th of May 2011 04:15:09 PM
-- Edited by Frank on Saturday 28th of May 2011 06:18:34 AM
