I'm replacing the valve cover gasket on my 1990 fj62 and when I took it off the valves are covered in some gross flakey stuff. I want to scrape it off but I am worried about it getting in the oil passages because it looks like oil is just dumped in the valve cover and seeps into the pan through some small passages. Is this how it works? I can't tell because there is so much build up. How would yall recommend cleaning off the whole assembly under there?
Valve cover
- Thread starter Isaiah56
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You're experiencing the infamous high mileage FJ62 sludge. The inside of the lifter side panel on the passenger side is likely coated with a half inch layer of it also along with that side of the engine. Maybe the PCV ventilation routing is plugged too.
The engine now has a lot more sludge than what you can see looking at the rocker assembly.
There is a real danger in dislodging built up sludge as you guessed; pieces of it can then travel inside the engine and clog an oil passageway. Hopefully the oil filter would catch it before being forced under pressure to the engine parts and getting lodged somewhere.
There are a few opinions on what to do about sludge:
1. Do nothing
2. Use an oil or additive that will reduce its build up and change the oil frequently.
3. Remove the side panel and clean that out as well as you can and remover the rocker assembly, disassemble it and clean it thoroughly, then follow step 2.
4. Remove the head and have all the parts cleaned
5. Rebuild the engine.
The engine now has a lot more sludge than what you can see looking at the rocker assembly.
There is a real danger in dislodging built up sludge as you guessed; pieces of it can then travel inside the engine and clog an oil passageway. Hopefully the oil filter would catch it before being forced under pressure to the engine parts and getting lodged somewhere.
There are a few opinions on what to do about sludge:
1. Do nothing
2. Use an oil or additive that will reduce its build up and change the oil frequently.
3. Remove the side panel and clean that out as well as you can and remover the rocker assembly, disassemble it and clean it thoroughly, then follow step 2.
4. Remove the head and have all the parts cleaned
5. Rebuild the engine.
Mine was nice and I used one of the cleaner products that idle a few minutes before an oil change to make sure it was clean.
My friend had to clean and it was a mess, but I think if you do some frequent oil changes it might clean out?
diesel:
my HJ:
Good luck!
My friend had to clean and it was a mess, but I think if you do some frequent oil changes it might clean out?
diesel:
my HJ:
Good luck!
Your lowest-risk bet is to just drive it, and change the oil regularly. I would not add all sorts of miracle engine cleaners to the oil. I swapped a somewhat sludgy 3.0 Camry engine last year, and it ran and sounded great and I decided that any mechanical cleaning of the engine internals would probably just bust loose something that should dissolve slowly. My FJ62 is a bit sludgy, and I noticed that my oil doesn't stay clean-looking as long as it should, which means the engine is slowly getting cleaner inside.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks for the hep guys! We are thinking about plugging up a he we found that we think is where the oil drains into the oil pan and then using an air compressor to blast all the junk off. Is there a high chance of getting stuff clogged up if we do this?
There are at least 12 "holes" that the oil drains back down into the oil pan. Each pushrod hole for starters.
Take the rocker assembly off the head (easy) and carefully disassemble it, making sure you keep all the parts in order (important!).
You can then at least clean that till its as shiny as the one above.
If you don't want to disassemble it, you could at least soak it in solvent.... but the long pipe is hollow and transports oil. I would want to take it apart to make sure the inside of it was clean.
Take the rocker assembly off the head (easy) and carefully disassemble it, making sure you keep all the parts in order (important!).
You can then at least clean that till its as shiny as the one above.
If you don't want to disassemble it, you could at least soak it in solvent.... but the long pipe is hollow and transports oil. I would want to take it apart to make sure the inside of it was clean.