Sludge is a thick, gel-like dark substance that forms when motor oil gets old and loses its properties. It can be damaging to your engine and other parts of your vehicle. Here is some basic information about engine sludge and how you can deal with it in Ham Lake.

Engine Sludge Is a Serious Problem

Engine sludge might seem like a harmless situation. Your engine is dirty, so what? Sludge might turn into a severe problem that can end up costing you hundreds of dollars on repairs. Engine sludge, after all, might be the reason why your current oil isn’t able to properly lubricate all the moving parts of your car’s engine. Before you take care of the problem, you need to understand what exactly sludge is, how it’s formed, and how it can affect your motor. Only then can you move to the best solution: a synthetic oil change. Join All Service Oil in learning some more about this nasty gunk that might be hurting your engine.

What Is Sludge and What Causes It?

Sludge is a greasy dark gunk that results from the combination of oxidized oil and other pollutants. Engine sludge forms as the oil breaks down and loses its viscosity and lubricating abilities. The formation of sludge is generally caused by inadequate servicing, missed oil change intervals, low quality or inappropriate oils, or excessive engine idling. But even something as simple as moisture in the oil can promote the creation of sludge. Usually, sludge formation is more common in engines that use conventional oil, which is why you need to change it with more frequency. Synthetic oil is your best companion if you’re looking for an oil that will lubricate and protect your engine for more extended periods. Learn about synthetic oils and how they can help your engine by visiting AMSOIL’s online store or by calling All Service Oil at (763) 257-3130.

Sludge: Warning Signals

Sludge, like any other car-related problem, comes with its warning signs. The most obvious sign is the visual one when you open the hood. Needless to say, if you see thick sludge smeared all over your engine, you’ve got a problem. If you notice your oil pressure is low or if the oil light in your dashboard flashes intermittently, sludge might be the reason. Sometimes sludge gets so thick that it blocks certain passages. For instance, if you’re trying to drain your oil and the process goes by slower than usual, or the oil is simply not draining at all, it’s likely that there’s sludge blocking the oil’s path. Sludge takes precious space that clean oil should occupy. If your engine is no longer accepting its usual amount of oil after an oil change, sludge is probably taking up some space. It’s essential that you follow your regular oil change intervals to prevent any of these symptoms from starting and potentially develop into serious problems

Synthetic Oil Changes and Other Possible Solutions to Handle Your Sludge Situation

Now that you’ve established that sludge and other buildup are residing in your engine, you need to act fast to change that. What you need to do, for starters, is get a better quality oil in the correct viscosity to meet your engine’s lubrication needs. You’ll find these qualities and more in AMSOIL Synthetic Oil. Synthetic oil is formulated to handle harsh temperature changes in your engine, lubricate for extended periods, and overall improve your motor’s performance. You can learn more about the many reasons why you should switch to synthetic oil here. A synthetic oil change will help you prevent sludge from forming and, in case it already exists, scrub off most of the gunk and send it back into the oil filter. It’s essential that you change the oil filter every time you change your oil or run the risk of polluting your new lubricant.  You must follow the manufacturer’s instruction concerning service requirements and specific lubrication needs. In some cases, where the amount of engine sludge is abundant a chemical flush could be a good idea. All you need to do is mix in some of AMSOIL’s Engine and Transmission Flush into your old oil, turn on your engine, and let it sit idle for around ten minutes. The warm engine will allow the chemical to melt off most of the sludge and send it back into the oil. Once that process is complete,  you can continue with your regular synthetic oil change. If the flush is not enough to get rid of your build up problem, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic so they can perform a deep cleaning. Of course, the best way to get rid of sludge is by stopping it from happening in the first place. To achieve this, you need to respect your oil change intervals and regularly service your vehicle. Change your oil even if your car hasn’t reached the nominated distance according to your oil change intervals. AMSOIL’s  XL 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil is the way to go if you’re looking for longer oil change intervals since it can last up to 10,0000 miles. Once you clean your engine and change your oil, you have a fresh start to keep your motor in shape.

A Clean, Eco-Friendly Engine With a Synthetic Oil Change in Ham Lake

A clean, sludge-free engine does not only perform better, but it also makes your car much friendlier to the environment. Get everything you need for your AMSOIL Synthetic Oil change in Ham Lake by calling All Service Oil at (763) 257-3130 to get some recommendations and place your order. Don’t forget that regular maintenance, changing your oil and replacing your oil filter will prolong your engine’s life, improve its performance, and reduce your vehicle’s carbon footprint.