Sludge

Bill Putney wrote:
> High Sierra wrote:
>
>> Bill Putney wrote:
>>
>>> High Sierra wrote:
>>>
>>>> I wonder what the failure rate is for properly maintained 2.7 litre
>>>> engines?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I doubt if anyone, including DC, knows (but I bet they, from some
>>> statistics, have a better idea than *we* do). 8^)
>>>
>>> I *can* say this: Some changes were made in the '00-'01 time frame
>>> for the specific purpose of reducing sludge buildup and improving the
>>> lubrication system.
>>>
>>> An example: You'll see posts by people on the Chrysler forums
>>> (primarilly www.dodgeintrepid.net) about the rubber elbow that
>>> connects the pipe from the valve cover to the PCV valve routinely
>>> clogging up (not just partially, but totally occluding) with a
>>> mixture of powdery and gummy soot (and the walls of the elbow itself
>>> getting gooey/gummy. Starting in '00 (or '01 - haven't been able to
>>> nail it down for certain), they redesigned the pipe to the PCV valve
>>> to include a little heat exchanger (an existing small coolant hose is
>>> spliced into the two coolant ports of the heat exchanger) to steal
>>> some heat to prevent the blow-by gases from condensing out in the
>>> pipe and clogging it, disabling the PCV system.
>>>
>>> Why did they do that (and other lube system improvements) if there
>>> weren't a (real) problem?
>>>
>>> (BTW - for those with earlier 2.7 engines, you might be interested in
>>> replacing the existing PCV pipe with the redesigned one with the heat
>>> exchanger - it is a drop-in replacement. I did it to mine a few
>>> weeks ago - DC P/N 04663792AH - $20-30. You need to replace the PCV
>>> valve at the same time - I recommend dealer item on that too as I've
>>> seen too much crap in PCV valves in the aftermarket world even from
>>> otherwise reputable companies like Purolator.)
>>>
>>> IMO...
>>>
>>> Bill Putney
>>> (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
>>> adddress with the letter 'x')
>>
>>
>>
>> Well then, I'm glad my Sebrings a 2004.
>>
>> BTW would you consider a check of the PCV system part of a grease,
>> oil, filter job?
>
>
> Sure. But whether it is considered as part of the other maintenance
> items, the important thing is that it does get checked and maintained on
> some regular basis.
>
> BTW - there's not really anything to do in the "grease" category, unless
> you have a separate differential sump like on the LH cars and
> check/periodically change the gear oil (if you want to call that
> "grease". 8^) Only time you would have zerks is if you have certain
> aftermarket suspension parts.
>
> Bill Putney
> (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
> adddress with the letter 'x')

Thanks for the info.

As far as grease fittings, on my Sebring, I was just using 'grease, oil &
filter" as an expression.

Now, my RAM 1500, that's a different story. :-)