3.1L V6 engine ticking

[shaneland]

Gas, diesel, kerosene, all come from the same place. Oil is found in the ground and basically boiled. Earthen Oil gives off different substances which are then collected at different temperatures to get what we use. Diesel has allot of lubricating properties. SO I cant see it hurting the engine much.

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

It's only in there a day, so I'm not sure how it could "break down" the oil. Doesn't diesel come from the same base that engine oil does? I also don't believe any bearing damage will result since there is still 4 quarts of oil. But, it is a matter of preference..

It will thin it down too much. Yes, diesel has some lubricating properties, that are good for the upper cylinder but not so much for the bearings.

And yes, diesel comes from the "same substance" that mineral oil used to make motor oil does, but so does gasoline and I'm quite sure that you'll agree with me that it's not a good idea to run an engine with one quart of gasoline in the oil pan. In the end though, it's your engine and your bearings - don't let me persuade you against it.

[shaneland]

so what method would you use?? The trans fluid, or another chemical like motor flush that is found at auto stores??

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by shaneland

so what method would you use?? The trans fluid, or another chemical like motor flush that is found at auto stores??

I use one quart of ATF (Dexron III - Do NOT use Type F as this contains abrasives) in the oil on a sludgy engine for about 400 miles - one full tank of gas.

Change the oil filter before and again after the ATF treatment.

ATF is equivalent to 5w20 motor oil in viscosity. It's obviously not good for the engine over long periods for just that reason, but it beats the 0w0.5 viscosity of diesel.

[shaneland]

but what in it removes all the sludge?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by shaneland

but what in it removes all the sludge?

It has copious amounts of detergents - the same detergents in motor oil but in a much higher percentage.

Do this - next time you have been working on your car, and you have that "dry grease" all over your hands and thick, instead of using your favorite soap (i.e. Fast Orange etc), use some ATF instead. Rub the ATF all over the grease and use a towel to wipe it off. You might be surprised.

And yes, after I've been working underneath the car, I clean up with ATF.

[shaneland]

ok,

I have a silhouette with 255,000 on it and last time I changed the oil I noticed some black deposits on the valve springs and the inside the valve cover. What procedure should I use? What would you do exactly to clean that gunk out?

[corning_d3]

If it's that bad, I pull the top half of the engine and clean it. It gives me a chance to replace failure-prone gaskets.As for the deisel thinning the oil, yeah it may thin it a bit, but my oil pressure gauge doesn't show it. Plus I've got over 200,000 on it now, and did the flush at 100,000..

Let me rephrase. If it's just some spots here and there and no chunks of gunk, I wouldn't worry..

[shaneland]

whats the procedure for trans fluid? 1 quart in oil pan?? How long do I let it in there??

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by shaneland

whats the procedure for trans fluid? 1 quart in oil pan?? How long do I let it in there??

Ugh. Please try to read what I post - the answer to this question is about 4 posts in front of this (post #19).

Corning - the oil PRESSURE isn't the issue, the oil WEDGE on the bearing is. This wedge breaks down with the diesel thinned oil - much more likely to encounter a metal-to-metal contact. This is what I meant by "breakdown of lubricating properties".

[shaneland]

i thought you posted that but last night when I went through the postings I missed it and couldnt find that again...thus posting what I did. Sorry and thanks...I am going to try it.