Concord Auto Repair

You probably have heard of how awful oil sludge can be for your engine. But what exactly is it, and how can it affect your car? Oil sludge is a thick gel that is formed when the engine oil is oxidized and contaminated. It is comprised of partially burnt fuel, metal fragments, and dirt. Oil sludge is then carried by the oil and you can find it sticking on the various parts of the engine. Why Oil Sludge Builds Up Oil sludge will first appear on top of the engine, inside the oil pan, and on the valve cover. The sludge can then block the siphon, and consequently hinder the circulation of oil within the engine. Sludge usually build-up due to several reasons, but driving in heavy traffic repeatedly is one of the main causes. Frequent driving for short distances and long periods of stop-and-go driving can also accelerate the build-up of oil sludge. How Oil Sludge Can Hurt Your Car As mentioned above, oil sludge usually has the effect of hindering the circulation of oil in your engine. Sin ... read more