Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'94 Dodge Dakota, Crankcase Sludge
Q:
I have
a '94 Dodge Dakota truck 6 cylinder, 4 wheel drive. I change the oil every
3,000 miles but I have trouble with SLUDGE in the oil pan. This problem
caused me drop the pan and clean it out twice already. What can I do to
keep this sludge from building-up?
-
Derrick F.
A:
Any
chance that you're a short trip driver? Short driving trips are really
rough on the engine oil. I'm a great example of the problems related to
short trip driving. I live just 5 miles from work, my vehicle's engine
hardly warms up before I'm shutting it off. This type of driving is tough
on oil. I change the oil in my vehicle every 2 months and if you do the
math it is easy to figure that I have not driven 3000 miles. My wife on
the other hand has no sludge problems with her vehicle. The only rest
the oil gets is when she's home for the night. No problem with running
the mileage out on an oil change for her vehicle. I would suggest good
quality oil and base your oil change intervals on time and not mileage
if you're having a sludge problem.
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