Another problem

[iceman2]

I have a 1997 3.4L; after painstaking weekends of pulling the heads, replacing the gaskets, and everything else, the van ran fine for about three months - now it's dying after about 10-20 miles; but before it dies the engine starts to rattle. I believe the problem is still more sludge in the oil, perhaps the oil intake is clogged, my buddy thinks there might be permanent damage to the bearings because of the lack of oil flow. Does anyone know how to 'powerflush' the oil system? I've heard some garages can employ a kerosene based solution using some sort of pump? My buddy thinks we need to remove the pan (yak!), but do not want to if possible.

[Headnsouth]

I have read many good things about this product but I have never used it.
http://www.auto-rx.com/
you can read up on this product on a forum Bob is the oil guy
http://theoildrop.server101.com/foru...eads.php?Cat=0
Good luck

[iceman2]

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately I was too late, had to replace the engine, $1700 with new IM gaskets.

[LMP]

Sorry you had to invest this extra money after the efforts....Possibly the heads were warped...and gaskets went haywire again; but I think that was the way to go. I had changed head gasket on late DOdge Omni and it did not last long before it all came back again.....the head has been overheated..I knew...and took a chance. It spent the rest of its life carrying bottles of spare water as the coolant did not intrude the oil pan: it was just "burned"....

[iceman2]

Originally Posted by LMP

Sorry you had to invest this extra money after the efforts....Possibly the heads were warped...and gaskets went haywire again; but I think that was the way to go. I had changed head gasket on late DOdge Omni and it did not last long before it all came back again.....the head has been overheated..I knew...and took a chance. It spent the rest of its life carrying bottles of spare water as the coolant did not intrude the oil pan: it was just "burned"....

Actually, the problem diagnosed was 'oil starvation' caused by the screen being clogged from all of the sudge at the oil intake above the pan. I don't think the engine was damaged, but advised it probably was.

[Headnsouth]

Originally Posted by iceman2

Actually, the problem diagnosed was 'oil starvation' caused by the screen being clogged from all of the sudge at the oil intake above the pan. I don't think the engine was damaged, but advised it probably was.

Sounds like a great time to try Auto-rx. ARX will clean out the sludge in your engine.