I have a 2009 KW T660 with a Cat C15 and a Eaton 10 auto i got it with 23000 miles on it. Before i got it, i watched my company change out the oil. I had put about 18000 miles on it and the oil was turning into mud on the dipstick. I had the oil change once i got up to 43000 miles. I am not sure the brand of oil my company put into this when i first got the truck they were using fleetguard filters. When i had my oil changed i put Delvac into it and cat filters. After a couple of days i have got the same sludge building up again. Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this or has anyone had this type of problem in the past? I would like to get this problem resolved even if i have to take it in to KW. Thanks in advance
Engine Sludge
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by bjones0923, Dec 30, 2008.
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I would have the oil sampled asap. I'm guessing the sludge is probably soot. Once you have the results, it will point you in a better direction. You may have to run a shorter drain interval (5-6000 miles) to clean out the engine if your company ran the wrong oil in it.
Just my opinion, but I would check out synthetics. I run Schaffers and have excellent results with protection, fuel mpg increase (about .2), and you can get free oil samples with extended drain intervals. -
Ditto on Schaeffer's. This is a very high quality oil and it has a very good price for a great quality synthetic. You will have to locate a dealer that will have Schaeffer ship it to you direct. Usually will have to order $300 or more of the products to get free shipping. When you consider the cost of the product, the quality, and the free shipping, you will be very hard pressed to find any other synthetic you can buy at a better price. In fact, the price is not much more than buying the regular oils off the shelf at any truck stop. Of course we are talking Schaeffer bulk price compared to a single gallon purchase at a truck stop. As with any synthetic, you will experience easier starting and usually a little better fuel economy. Don't expect unrealistic improvements, but .2 mpg or better improvement is not uncommon.
The quality rating of Schaeffer is very high. Do a google on "Bob Is The Oil Guy" and check out the site and forums. There is some very knowledgable people on that site, and they have a very good regard for Schaeffer products. There is also a Schaeffer sponser on the site that will get you any product delivered at a good price.
You will not experience any "sludge problem" with Schaeffer oil, and with oil analysis confirmation, you will probably be able to extend your drains. I would recommend you install a good bypass oil filter to really get the full benefit and cost effectiveness of using a synthetic. Then you can really extend your drains and actually save more money using the synthetic than using a standard oil.
The off the shelf oils are good. Not implying that those who don't run a synthetic are stupid. But, as with most things, you get what you pay for. Even the so-called cheap oil at Walmart will work, but, done right, a synthetic will more than be cost effective and provide the best protection. After all, we are talking about a very expensive engine in a class 8 truck..... not a cheap throw away engine in a passenger car.
Most "sludge" appearance is a soot buildup in the oil. Nothing can be done about the soot except keeping it to a minimum by using a bypass filter setup. The emissions standards are to blame, now you have to counter the effect by getting it out of the oil as much as possible. A typical engine will have a soot level in the oil at 20,000 miles of about 2-3%. With a bypass filter, the soot level rarely rises above 1% and often will stay around .5% and that is even with 40,000 or more on the oil. All that is needed is to change out the bypass filter on schedule and sample the oil. The oil analysis will let you know when the oil needs changed. Be sure to use a good Oil Analysis lab, not one of the sample machines like are used at Speedco and other places. WearCheck is a very good lab and the sample prices are very good.Last edited: Jan 3, 2009
playamwj12 Thanks this. -
My own opinion.....its expensive but well worth it....
motorkote is the best of the best -
If you get by a Speedco, run it in there and ask them to do the oil analysis. It will only take a few minutes and it doesn't cost that much, $20 or so. Well worth it, especially with all of this global warming we are experiencing. Better to catch something bad going on in a warm building than on the side of the road.
Mike -
And it doesn't sound like an oil "brand" problem. Maybe the wrong viscosity, but it sounds like the OP is smarter than that. Maybe something to do with the particulate crap on these new trucks. I would want to see what is floating around in that oil that would make it sludge. Like PT said, it sounds like soot, and allot of it.
Mike -
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It sounds like there is something going on in that engine. Like I stated above, I would not want to be stuck on the side of the road when I could have done a simple test that is readily available out here. Even it it is not the very "best" place to test it. As crawling under a truck to get an oil sample is not my idea of fun. Especially in this weather.
Mike -
Think that is why I said it will "work in a pinch". Just outlining the various issues with relying on the quick lube machines for longer periods of time.
Oh Well...... each of us must live within our own comfort level. -
Mike
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