Author Topic: oil sludge  (Read 2832 times)

Offline Steve fowler

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oil sludge
« on: 04.05. 2016 19:04 »
Is there any way off cleaning out the sludge tube without an engine strip down ?

Offline a10 gf

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #1 on: 04.05. 2016 20:25 »
Drill some big holes through the casings? *smile* In other words, no.

Unless someone believes in sludge-dissolving oils\treatment, which may work to a certain extent but also move things around to clog up other parts of the engine. And it may not be what we call sludge, but petrified stuff that must be scraped out with hard tools, so IMO a strip is highly recommended if reliable history not known. I did it a while after getting my bike, was horrified by what was found in the sludge trap.

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Offline Gavin

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #2 on: 10.05. 2016 14:44 »
As above mate, I was warned to clean the sludge trap after the motor had sat in boxes for 35 years, then been rebuilt. I pulled it of the frame, got the motor stripped and sludge trap checked... Best money I ever spent. Those with the opposite experience share sad tales of exploding motors. And imploding wallets.

Offline Greybeard

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #3 on: 10.05. 2016 15:58 »
...exploding motors. And imploding wallets.
*smile*
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Offline Rocket Racer

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #4 on: 07.06. 2016 05:10 »
Steve,
 sorry mate, but as the previous responses outline the sludge trap is a critical part of the oil filtration for these old engines and if an engine has been laid up its certainly worth tearing it down just to clean it out properly, before any damage is done.
If you aren't keen to pull the motor down you are taking a risk.
Back in the early 80's I killed a couple of triumph twin bottom ends (ok not that big a deal  *shh*) because I didn't know about sludge traps.
And without wanting to change topics, detergents in modern oils can end up taking that sludge through your mains in a nasty way! So if you have an engine that hasnt been apart and has question marks over its last rebuild, stick to old school monogrades that have no detergents
Knowing your big ends arent on the receiving end of crud is worth the effort.
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Offline Tomcat

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #5 on: 07.06. 2016 09:36 »
It's always best to clean out the sludge trap before running an unknown engine. My Super Rocket engine was rebuilt by the PO, they didn't clean out the sludge trap, and it was half full! There will also be other areas in need of attention given the age of our engines and PO's 'repairs'
Cheers Tomcat
1959 Super Rocket, 1990 NX650

Offline Swarfcut

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #6 on: 27.10. 2025 14:53 »
RichardL asked for an opinion on the Sludge Trap...so here are a few thoughts.

 Crank failure due to poor oil flow to the left hand B/E caused by a blocked trap can be relatively minor, or an engine exploding wallet busting disaster. Either way the dilemma remains of trusting to luck or going straight in for a complete strip on any unknown engine.
 Certainly these motors are relatively simple and my guess is that most are not used daily as a primary means of transport, so could be fettled completely without too much inconvenience. Certainly a strip and clean before disaster strikes is cheaper and gives peace of mind.

 But it could be argued if the bike runs OK, leave well alone and use non detergent oils. If it fails meantime, then it has to come apart anyway. But now you've got  the increased cost of any damaged parts and the hassle of finding maybe rods, crank, cases barrel and pistons.

 From experience the lubrication through the  early crank is poor in standard form, an end fed crank is better, big journal cranks are better still, with bigger oilways and improved trapping capacity. So worth doing, also knowing all is well takes away some of the uncertainty of will it make it home?

 So I'd go for a stitch in time.... sooner rather than later, but in the short term encourage the sympathetic running of a new bike as it is also allows other problems to be identified and the whole lot can be done at a convenient time.

 Swarfy

Offline RichardL

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #7 on: 27.10. 2025 16:58 »
Swarfy,

Other than being unable to identify the damage in the photos  *whistle*, your comments on the sludge trap belong at the top of the catalog of good advice. Thanks for stepping in.

Richard.

Offline Swarfcut

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #8 on: 27.10. 2025 22:07 »
Just for Richard.... Poor thread on primary chain case due to a slack chain.... And surface rust on a small journal crank caused by poor storage....Sleep easy.

Swarfy.

Offline RichardL

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #9 on: 28.10. 2025 12:06 »
Ohhh! So that crankcase isn’t normal?  🧐

Offline Swarfcut

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #10 on: 28.10. 2025 14:52 »
It's normal if you trust to luck, crossed fingers and ride like you stole it...... without cleaning that sludge trap every time the motor comes apart. A filter in the return line is a worthwhile addition.

Swarfy.

Offline Worty

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Re: oil sludge
« Reply #11 on: 28.10. 2025 20:21 »
My motor was stripped down and rebuilt twice in 10,000 miles, mainly because the first person couldn't build engines properly (it wasn't me 'cause I have no experience of building engines and didn't do it).  With the engine now running sweetly, and no crud in the traps, I tend to use a variety of oils.  Some are semi-synth detergents, sometimes 20/50, but I do have a modern oil filter fitted. With no sludge in the trap, and with a mixture of modern and traditional oils, there's very little chance of any buildup that could later be dislodged and cause problems.

As with the comments already made, I'd choose to strip the engine down and check it all out.  After all, the history of these bikes is getting longer and longer, and all sorts of horrors can be lost to the sands of time! *eek* *eek*
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