I just got a Dodge D-150 318 v8 from a family member. The truck has basically been sitting since they bought it back in '88, only being used once or twice a year for hauling in town loads and the occasional loaner when someones car broke down. It also had a new engine and trans put in it by the dealer when they bought it.
When I got it she ran fine. I changed the oil only to to fine that it was really thick and had sludge in it. After the oil change she developed a ticking (sticking lifter I think). The ticking goes away once the engine starts to warm up. I ran her for about 1000 miles changing the oil again on the 500 and the 1000 and now the oil pressure is dropping every now and then. Usually, the needle stays at half but lately I've noticed it sometimes drops a notch or two below half and then goes to normal when I give her a drink of gas.
Despite these problems the engine runs and sounds as if it rolled off the line yesterday. I know the problems are from the sludge but don't know what or IF there is anything I can do about it short of a new engine. Has anyone been successful at combating a sludged up engine with additives? I see many engine flush additives but I don't know if its hocus-pocus or if they really work. The only thing I've ever put in my engines is oil.
I've also heard of using ATF to flush an engine?
If anyone has any experience in this, help would be appreciated. I just don't want to go pouring unknown chemical concoctions into this engine without a better idea of it. Last thing I want to do is make the problem worse.
coder
07-12-2007, 04:51 PM
Fill it up with synthetic oil of the same weight, then change it after 1000 miles. Then at normal intervals after that, that stuff will clean it out, safely, over a few oil changes. However, if you have leaky seal and the sludge is keeping the oil from coming out, it will start to leak as sludge is removed. I guess that will happen no matter what you use though. Look at it as an opportunity to replace some bad seals.
mopar fan
07-12-2007, 04:59 PM
Check out the engine flush that one of our sponsors sells. Oh, and welcome to DodgeTalk.
Back when I bought my first Dodge van..a '70 model...it had a lifter "tick" that wouldn't go away. I changed the oil and dumped a quart of ATF in. Amazingly within 10-20 miles the "tick" went away. I drained the oil and put in fresh oil and never had a problem again.
Could be a coincidence, but I think the ATF cleaned out the lifters and freed them up.
Speed Dragon
07-13-2007, 09:19 AM
I have heard of running them for about 5 mins w/ a quart or two of kerosene dumped in them.
buck99
07-13-2007, 10:31 AM
If it is a high mileage engine, carbon bulds up in the ring grooves and helps seal the rings. To much flushing can clear out this carbon and cause the engine to start burning oil.
Use caution if it is a high miler.
NeDodgeguy
07-13-2007, 12:14 PM
I don't think he has that problem...
buck99
07-13-2007, 02:19 PM
Yes, probably doesn't apply to Codydale but may to someone else reading this
Mopower79
07-13-2007, 07:10 PM
I have heard of running them for about 5 mins w/ a quart or two of kerosene dumped in them.
I've heard the same thing.... & also with diesel fuel...
I guess it would work :dunno:
charlie1935
07-13-2007, 07:49 PM
I have heard of running them for about 5 mins w/ a quart or two of kerosene dumped in them.
I remember my Dad doing that 60 years ago when oil filters were optional or an after market item for cars. :gr_patrio
bherder
07-13-2007, 11:08 PM
I've run a quart of ATF in a few engines (Old, at idle) for 5-10 minutes right before an oil change before... and it actually HAS cured a 'ticking' lifter before....
For what's it's worth... :)
Parson4
07-14-2007, 12:35 AM
Back in the "Goooood Old Days" when all we could afford was someone elses OLD rig with a million miles on them, we used to pour in a quart of kerosene, and drive them to town for a few cold ones, and back to the ranch (about 30 miles one way) and then drain the oil and put in new, and it really cleaned them out. I don't remember having any problems from doing this, because we didn't have any money to fix them, so if it cost I would have rememberd that I am sure.
Anything that took away from our special drink (Bud w/Ripple back) we always remembered well, and we didn't let nuttin git in the way of our (what we thought were) gooood times....... :D
codydale
07-17-2007, 08:40 PM
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to go with the ATF method this weekend if everything pans out. Everyone I've talked to here in town says that's the way to go but I haven't heard of anyone actually doing it till now.
On a side note does anyone know how much oil the 318 engine holds? I was told at the autozone that it was 5 quarts (they looked it up on the computer) but when I went to change the oil 5 quarts didn't cut it. It wasn't even on the stick. Ended up having to put in almost 6 quarts total. Either there computer was wrong (wouldn't be the first time) or maybe this isn't a 318. Sticker under the hood says it is but I know the engine and transmission were swapped out before. I don't know enough to tell the difference. Its no big deal I guess I just like to know whats under the hood.
bherder
07-17-2007, 11:19 PM
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to go with the ATF method this weekend if everything pans out. Everyone I've talked to here in town says that's the way to go but I haven't heard of anyone actually doing it till now.
;) I've done it quite many times... :D
On a side note does anyone know how much oil the 318 engine holds? I was told at the autozone that it was 5 quarts (they looked it up on the computer) but when I went to change the oil 5 quarts didn't cut it. It wasn't even on the stick.
SHOULD be 5 quarts WITH filter change.... Maybe you have a different oil pan?
Ended up having to put in almost 6 quarts total. Either there computer was wrong (wouldn't be the first time) or maybe this isn't a 318.
318-360 ... Should be the same....
Sticker under the hood says it is but I know the engine and transmission were swapped out before. I don't know enough to tell the difference. Its no big deal I guess I just like to know whats under the hood.
codydale
07-17-2007, 11:58 PM
SHOULD be 5 quarts WITH filter change.... Maybe you have a different oil pan?
Yeah, right after I posted I had that same thought... probably a different oil pan. I've looked for a number on the block before but I couldn't find one. I found a picture online of where it should be but I couldn't find one there. Engine needs a cleaning so its probably covered up. Besides, the swap was done at the dodge house so I would think they would of put another sticker under there if the engine was upgraded.
charlie1935
07-18-2007, 12:05 AM
My 87 318 takes 6 quarts with filter change. :gr_patrio
Speed Dragon
07-18-2007, 09:07 AM
It's 6-7 quarts, can't remember which. I think maybe 6 qts plus the filter. I know it's at least 6 qts, and unless you have an aftermarket Miloden or Moroso pan or something, then you have the same pan as the rest of us.
bherder
07-18-2007, 09:50 AM
Hmmmm ..... They must have started putting in larger pans between mine and his....
Mine is only 5 quarts... Honest!! ;)
charlie1935
07-18-2007, 12:06 PM
Hmmmm ..... They must have started putting in larger pans between mine and his....
Mine is only 5 quarts... Honest!! ;)
Hey Bherder, you ain't got a big dent in the bottom of your pan have you! :thatfunny :gr_patrio
Speed Dragon
07-18-2007, 02:50 PM
Hmmmm ..... They must have started putting in larger pans between mine and his....
Mine is only 5 quarts... Honest!! ;)Heh... maybe your dipstick's too short :D
bherder
07-19-2007, 01:25 AM
Hey Bherder, you ain't got a big dent in the bottom of your pan have you! :thatfunny :gr_patrio
Heh heh heh ..!! No, the only 'big dent' I had was in my door... Since fixed..(Even as much as Rick begged me to keep it orange :D )
bherder
07-19-2007, 01:32 AM
Hey Bherder, you ain't got a big dent in the bottom of your pan have you! :thatfunny :gr_patrio
Heh heh heh ..!! No, the only 'big dent' I had was in my door... Since fixed..(Even as much as Rick begged me to keep it orange :D )
dodged100
07-22-2007, 04:10 PM
I have a 76 D100 w/ 318 it takes 6 quarts. I also have 2 Dodge Avengers bothers lifters tick let me know how that ATF works out for you I may try it.
Thanks
AMP762
07-22-2007, 11:40 PM
My 79 W150 360 uses 6qts,but I always use the long filter.
Speed Dragon
07-23-2007, 12:15 PM
I think it is 6 quarts w/ the filter. I can never remember though.
charlie1935
07-23-2007, 02:18 PM
My 79 W150 360 uses 6qts,but I always use the long filter.
I've used the big filter on my 87 since it was new and the 96 since I got it. According to every thing I've read they have more filtering area and that's gotta be good. :gr_patrio
Charlie
