Hi All, I took the car in for a service today and Skoda summoned me in.... there is sludge in the sump, its a right mess, the head too, the oil is like jelly, even though it is Skoda spec.

 

They have quoted me just shy of 3k for tandem pump, clean up, new injectors, and reassemble.... or a new engine, more than the car is worth.The car is an 07 plate with 100k on the clock.... any advice woul dbe greatfully received.

Try an engine oil flush? Sounds like it's on its way out anyway. Got to be worth a try. Worst that can happen is that it just accelerates what already happening.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/ecp/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/car-additives/engine-treatment/?549771811&0&cc5_170&gclid=CjwKEAiAx4anBRDz6JLYjMDxoQYSJAA4loRmcTU8hXL5uEGYcm6XoE8s1jvkV4Vhh6my0X81ciWAERoCofHw_wcB

What type of engine?

If it was me I'd drain a litre of oil then add a litre of petrol.

Let it idle for 5 minutes then hold the revs at 3K for 30 seconds then idle again for 1 minute before switching off.

Leave to settle for 10 minutes and drain the lot checking to see if it flushed the jelly out.

But that's me, don't do it if you aren't comfortable with the idea.

£3k!! What a joke/rip off. Time for a second opinion from a good indy garage.

Tandem pump for my car is £200 and easy to fit. Engine flushing is cheap and easy DIY too.

Bury skoda by any chance? Wouldn't trust them to fit a tax disc! Although it sounds like a big issue, i would suggest taking it somewhere else. Been told that one of the guys at ALS (little downham) knows octavias inside out. might be worth a try?

I can get a recon engine for the same price that soda said. It's underwoods colchester and I have found them quite good so far. They are saying head off etc so injectors tandem pump cam belt kit etc isn't too bad but really... For some sludge?

What type of engine?

If it was me I'd drain a litre of oil then add a litre of petrol.

Let it idle for 5 minutes then hold the revs at 3K for 30 seconds then idle again for 1 minute before switching off.

Leave to settle for 10 minutes and drain the lot checking to see if it flushed the jelly out.

But that's me, don't do it if you aren't comfortable with the idea.

it's the pd lump and the sump is off. No oil in it. The strainer is clogged and the crank looked like a root ball so it does look pretty bad. I am tempted to go for a clean up before making any decisions so sump and rocker cover back on and top up with cheapo oil and petrol and run it for a bit sounds like a good option I guess.

I wouldn't just use petrol and cheap non spec PD oil as being a pd engine you will damage the cams, get some specialist stuff  such as archoil and cheap 505.01 PD oil which contains lubricant to avoid damage, I used some this stuff on my mates car this weekend and it was pretty good stuff considering he hasn't changed his oil for over three years.

 

http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/product.php/883/archoil-ar2820-professional-engine-flush

 

use VAL20 for 20% discount before 20th February

It will be fine with cheap oil of your doing a quick clean, non spec pd oil will only damage cams over time like a year not just in a few minutes

Run the engine but don't drive anywhere, the short duration at low rpm shouldn't cause any camshaft wear issue.

You may want to disconnect the air inlet pipe, thick black, running front to back along top of engine, left side as viewed from under bonnet.

Just in case of turbo runaway from petrol fumes.

Any idea what caused the mess?

Biodiesel, previous owner running it on rapeseed oil?

If the gunge isn't solid you stand a chance of it dissolving but hardened deposits are likely going to be the deal breaker.

In all probability if it's as bad as you say then it may never be right again, the oil filter will be choked and scummy oil will have been bypassed and found it's way throughout the engine/turbo oilways. A potential timebomb.

If it is ever to clean you may find you've spent a small fortune in oil and filters to do the job, not to mention the hassle of taking the used oil to the recycling centre, but then again cheaper than a replacement engine!

What type of engine?

If it was me I'd drain a litre of oil then add a litre of petrol.

Let it idle for 5 minutes then hold the revs at 3K for 30 seconds then idle again for 1 minute before switching off.

Leave to settle for 10 minutes and drain the lot checking to see if it flushed the jelly out.

But that's me, don't do it if you aren't comfortable with the idea.

I'd do similar but drain as much as possible and use diesel (basically a light oil) and only let the engine idle.  or buy the cheapest 5w-30 or 10w-30 502.00 spec and a few filters & do oil changes every 1000km until it runs clean

I suggested petrol for its superior ability to dissolve engine gunk, maybe run the engine for 10 minutes then leave overnight...

I just remembered the PD oil filters are open element types so you could presumably wash the old one out in a jar of petrol and reuse it indefinitely while trying to flush the engine out, a good way to check what's getting pumped around and save money too.

Just ensure it's reasonably clean before reinstalling.

Thanks for the advice guys... its all good. it seems a petrol or diesel mix with oil is a popular choice. might give that a go.

I have taken it from the dealer now and its at a diesel place. Or it will be when they can recover it. they will have a look and if its clean able they will clean it, if not, i think i will bite the bullet and go for a recon lump. 100k miles, although young, is still a fair few miles on the turbo and other bits and pieces. peraps its time to upgrade a few bits.