Hi All, my son and I have just changed the engine oil on his '98 Felicia (1.3 LXI), and as we had previously noticed some oil seepage from one of the engine plugs, we checked that out (number 6 in the diagram) - interestingly, there was no seal fitted (metal washer - number 7 in the diagram), which would explain the leak/seepage. However, as you can see from the image, there was a lot of black gunk which had formed a block behind the plug hole (you can see the black gunk on the screw driver - the gunk was very thick, I could push the screw driver blade through it). The actual oil removed from the engine was actually very clear, so I'm a little confused about this.

Any thoughts?

I was thinking perhaps an engine flush, but what do my learned peers think?

Edited 31 January31 Jan by TonyW1967
Update

I have retired from being a mechanic of to many years, however I remember the sludge, black death, that would build up in CVH engines in the Ford cars unless they ran very hot and travelled many miles each day, along with using the very best oil and changing the oil before the suggested service interval

I rebuilt many an engine and was never a great lover of engine flush, although I do understand that it was used to break down the type of carbon/oil deposit you are seeing with your engine

i personally would recomend Valvoline restore and protect or a similar product to gently break down the sludge i would maybe change the oil and filter every two or three thousand miles for the next three oil services

I have no links with Valvoline but wish such a product had been around in the 1980s and 1990s

Hope this helps you

2 minutes ago, satire111 said:

I have retired from being a mechanic of to many years, however I remember the sludge, black death, that would build up in CVH engines in the Ford cars unless they ran very hot and travelled many miles each day, along with using the very best oil and changing the oil before the suggested service interval

I rebuilt many an engine and was never a great lover of engine flush, although I do understand that it was used to break down the type of carbon/oil deposit you are seeing with your engine

i personally would recomend Valvoline restore and protect or a similar product to gently break down the sludge i would maybe change the oil and filter every two or three thousand miles for the next three oil services

I have no links with Valvoline but wish such a product had been around in the 1980s and 1990s

Hope this helps you

Thank you, will look into that.

14 hours ago, satire111 said:

I have retired from being a mechanic of to many years, however I remember the sludge, black death, that would build up in CVH engines in the Ford cars unless they ran very hot and travelled many miles each day, along with using the very best oil and changing the oil before the suggested service interval

I rebuilt many an engine and was never a great lover of engine flush, although I do understand that it was used to break down the type of carbon/oil deposit you are seeing with your engine

i personally would recomend Valvoline restore and protect or a similar product to gently break down the sludge i would maybe change the oil and filter every two or three thousand miles for the next three oil services

I have no links with Valvoline but wish such a product had been around in the 1980s and 1990s

Hope this helps you

I checked, I don't think that oil is available in the EU yet?

I wouldn't worry about a big of sludge in a dead-end like this on an engine of this age.

Fix the leak and keep fresh oil in it going forward.

May be worth checking all breather hoses for blockages, as poor crankcase ventilation tends to increase the likelihood of oil leaks.

Valvoline Restore & Protect

49 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

Valvoline Restore & Protect

I can't find any available in the Czech Republic

There is no ''obligation'' to use this oil, buy an engine-flush product use it with a cheap oil and then put a quality one.

I can't find that Valvoline here in GR too.

We have a topic for Felicia engine oils:

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/129452-felicia-combi-13-what-oil/page/5/