Help r3v! Engine sludge, see pics, need advice

[brent5631]

I suggest trading it also. My wife's car looked like that before we got married and it started knocking shortly after finding out about it.

[campbellj25]

I'd trade it also before it starts making more noise. We get a lot of BMWs in the shop with buildup like this, and its from short trips as others have stated. It can be cleaned up, but damage is already done and it won't be long before an engine is needed.

[BobombETA]

I suggest trading it also. My wife's car looked like that before we got married and it started knocking shortly after finding out about it.

I'd trade it also before it starts making more noise. We get a lot of BMWs in the shop with buildup like this, and its from short trips as others have stated. It can be cleaned up, but damage is already done and it won't be long before an engine is needed.

Would a dealer pull the valve cover or drop the oil pan for inspection as part of the trade in process? I've only dealt with private party's for car sales.

[QUKBMER]

No they wont,mainly external visual inspection only. The dealer you do the trade-in to, will probably send it to auction to be sold. So don't worry......

[campbellj25]

Would a dealer pull the valve cover or drop the oil pan for inspection as part of the trade in process? I've only dealt with private party's for car sales.

No, they might go as far as twisting off the oil cap and looking down in there, but I highly highly doubt it. They are more concerned about selling you a car than inspecting your trade in. Usually dealers have the cars inspected by techs after they have been traded in just to see if any work is needed to resell the car, or if its too much work they will send it to the auction.

[I8UR911]

Worked for an extremely reputable dealer for years (I know....rare), but I always found it funny that customers never batted an eye lash when trading a car like this. They assume all dealers are scumbags anyway who screw people over so this is their chance to screw the dealer. What if the dealer sells this car to someone else and now that person is stuck with it?

And if anyone thinks the dealer pulls a valve cover on EVERY used car that is traded to "inspect" for stuff like this AFTER the car is traded....you're on crack. Should they break open the trans to so they can "inspect" synchros, etc.

Just saying, think of the next person that could get this, not just yourself (or girlfriend).

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

[BobombETA]

Added better pics for everyone's enjoyment.

Worked for an extremely reputable dealer for years (I know....rare), but I always found it funny that customers never batted an eye lash when trading a car like this. They assume all dealers are scumbags anyway who screw people over so this is their chance to screw the dealer. What if the dealer sells this car to someone else and now that person is stuck with it?

And if anyone thinks the dealer pulls a valve cover on EVERY used car that is traded to "inspect" for stuff like this AFTER the car is traded....you're on crack. Should they break open the trans to so they can "inspect" synchros, etc.

Just saying, think of the next person that could get this, not just yourself (or girlfriend).

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

I understand the moral implications.

[campbellj25]

Worked for an extremely reputable dealer for years (I know....rare), but I always found it funny that customers never batted an eye lash when trading a car like this. They assume all dealers are scumbags anyway who screw people over so this is their chance to screw the dealer. What if the dealer sells this car to someone else and now that person is stuck with it?

And if anyone thinks the dealer pulls a valve cover on EVERY used car that is traded to "inspect" for stuff like this AFTER the car is traded....you're on crack. Should they break open the trans to so they can "inspect" synchros, etc.

Just saying, think of the next person that could get this, not just yourself (or girlfriend).

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

We inspect every single car that gets traded in, but its always after the sale is done. I did have a case though the other day where someone brought in their e46 for a few things, after they got the estimate to repair it they traded it in the same day. At that point sales had the sheet and knew what was wrong with it before hand and used that in their negotiation.

Other than cases like that, its left up to us to find stuff like this, but its never any more than taking off the oil cap, seeing sludge and asking sales if they want to go farther with it or send it to auction. Usually it ends up going, unless they got it for cheap and can make a huge profit they will put some money into it.

I understand how you feel about people trading in cars like this, but its going to happen. It's the dealers job to find the problems and not resell them to the public. Most reputable car dealers won't let this stuff slide, it's normally the mom and pop little places that sell this kind of stuff. They get their inventory from the auction.

[agent]

I agree that it's of questionable moral turpitude to trade it, though what about doing so at the dealer where it was purchased?

[BobombETA]

I agree that it's of questionable moral turpitude to trade it, though what about doing so at the dealer where it was purchased?

They're already aware of the issue. She called them hoping they would do the right thing and fix the car and they basically said "it's not our problem".

[Swanny]

So drain the amount you replace with ATF first? Please explain...

And I believe you could have some sort of misrepresentation suit against the dealer maybe??? The law is a tricky thing but the dealer is probably safe behind the "as is" clause.

Too bad it wasn't noticed within the mandatory warranty period NY put in place. I've actually had lots of luck with things failing and being replaces at dealers expense.

[101]

Tough situation. Used cars are "buyer beware", and the extended warranty companies are looking for any excuse to NOT pay a claim.

ATF is a godsend in cases like this. It works by slowly dissolving the built up sludge. That's why you don't want to do more than 1 quart in the engine at a time - you risk shedding too much sludge and buildup at one time with more than 1 quart of ATF in the crankcase. As JLevie said, you have to be very careful and use lower mileage oil change intervals and maybe even MORE frequent filter changes while you are doing this.

Another trick I have heard about is to drain the oil and fill the engine with diesel fuel and let it sit. I thikn the story then goes to run it just for a few minutes, drain and refill with oil. I personally would NOT do this, but the 1.8L turbo VW crowd has had success saving sludged engines this way. NOTE: IF YOU CONSIDER THIS - FIND INSTRUCTIONS FIRST! Diesel fuel is the equivalent of almost pure solvent.

I havent tried the Marvel Mystery Oil / Seafoam or other treatment routes. Personally, I'd prefer the ATF route.

Ever seen a sludged Auto tranny (assuming the oil cooler in the radiator hasn't failed? Exactly. ATF keeps things wonderfully clean.

Short trips will create buildup or sludge any motor. My Volvo showed some minor buildup at 80K using dino oil changed at 2500 mile intervals since new, and normal operation. Fixed that sucker by switching to a full synthetic oil and 100K miles later the engine looks new inside.

Ex's 330Ci E46 had the start of some buildup on the valve cover after only 60K miles, using only BMW synthetic oil and change intervals every 5,000 miles. Told her she needed to actually drive the car once in a while!

[BlackbirdM3]

Run a few bottles of this through. It works way better than anything else I've tried. http://www.amazon.com/Lubro-Moly-Pro...y+engine+flush

The stuff freed a stuck piston ring in my motor, I tried everything else before it and nothing worked. On a whim I gave it a shot, and it worked. You however have a very gunky mess to work with. Good luck.

Will

[BobombETA]

Thanks all for the responses so far.

I'm heading to the dealer today after work to take a look at it in person. I'm not expecting to see anything different than the pics my gf took though.

If there's anything I should ask them while I'm there, let me know.

Thanks again.

[dnguyen1963]

If you were to keep the car, scrape all the gunk out of your engine with the valve cover off. You can then clean the engine with ATF or Moly engine flush. Luckily, most of the deposit sit where you see them in the pictures.