Grey sludge in sump and pick up 2018 custom

[Jaythesprayer]

So I have an update on my last post.
I suspected cam belt slip hence the reason of no start on my 2018 custom (37k miles). So today I took the sump off (what a job in itself, stuck on with sealer) anyway no belt deposits at all, but the oil was grey, and the sump was full or grey gloop and pick up was blocked solid with the stuff. Pulled the pick up off and black oil pores out the pump. Would the low oil pressure be the reason for no start, there was codes at all when read. I’ve cleaned out the pump and pick up. Luckily there is enough slack on the belt to slide it off the cog. Any ideas? Shall I just change the oil and filter and cross my fingers. Must be a reason if the sludge, maybe the dreaded oil dilution which makes sense as it was ex council so many short trips having such low miles.

[metalworker0]

You've got the sump off which is part of the wet belt change procedure ...you may as well take the the wetbelt cover off and order the new bits - that is: a new cover, sealent , oil pump belt, cambelt, crankshaft bolt and change the lot . as you are already 50 percent into the job

on observing the latest youtube wetbelt video ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28kFY7HPVUI&t=24s

he also had a pile of debris in the oil strainer ...

if i had got as far as you ..there is no way its going back together without the other things getting renewed.

Note: in the video ...the new belt is white on the teeth side and black on the other side ..white and black make grey = sludge that colour... his old belt was all black ...i don't know whats going on - no one does ..

One of the comments seems to suggest ford are developing a new chain conversion ....

why -- if they say the wet belt is sorted with the new one ?????

all the best.mark

[Jaythesprayer]

You've got the sump off which is part of the wet belt change procedure ...you may as well take the the wetbelt cover off and order the new bits - that is: a new cover, sealent , oil pump belt, cambelt, crankshaft bolt and change the lot . as you are already 50 percent into the job

on observing the latest youtube wetbelt video ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28kFY7HPVUI&t=24s

he also had a pile of debris in the oil strainer ...

if i had got as far as you ..there is no way its going back together without the other things getting renewed.

Note: in the video ...the new belt is white on the teeth side and black on the other side ..white and black make grey = sludge that colour... his old belt was all black ...i don't know whats going on - no one does ..

One of the comments seems to suggest ford are developing a new chain conversion ....

why -- if they say the wet belt is sorted with the new one ?????

all the best.mark

Yeah I know what you are saying and does make sense. I would be more convinced it was the belt if I had actual bits in the sump, but it’s just gloop, no texture to it at all. I’m wondering if it’s bore wash and that’s diesel in the sump, I don’t know if that would show as grey, but yet it doesn’t smell of diesel
I just want to get to the bottom of why it’s not starting
Like I said, there were no codes at all, so if the belt had in fact slipped I’m sure there would be an error code like the cam-crank sync.

[metalworker0]

You'll only be able to tell the real condition of the belt by taking that cover off, if it was me , that cover would be coming off, if i had got as far as you .
Note: Some of these belts have been known to destroy engines before 70,000

you dont know the history of the van , it may have had a problem in the past ...there are posts here talking about an issue with DPF regeneration, where by extra diesel is is pumped into the cylinders with some sort of a system that regenerates via this, rather than a vaporiser ...and the system had a software upgrade to sort it out.

but in the mean time oil changes were done to stay on top of it ..hence no diesel smell .

all the best.mark

[My van hates me]

Excellent advice above. Definitely get that belt done
I know of one van that popped it’s clogs on 32k and one that almost made 50, no doubt they were neglected in terms of service but still, you don’t know the history of the van.
Belt change, start her up, auto trader….. job done

[Jaythesprayer]

Update on this
Pulled the cambelt cover off today, belt was fine and timing was all correct
So while the sump was off I pulled out the first injector, poured a little diesel down there, 5 mins later, drip drip drip
Diesel. I’m gutted to say the least.
Cracked piston I’m guessing. 37k miles wtf

[metalworker0]

Put a compression tester in it and do a test ....but you've washed away most of the oil now, so may not make a very good seal, plus pistons are not a complete seal ..and it will drip even on a new engine.

oh the grey sludge ...has anyone put snake oil in it ..you know the additive ...some contain loads of graphite that may look like grey sludge

BTW ..what was the original complaint about this engine ...on another thread ..that i cant find now ... sorry read so many posts here that things get mixed up in my head.

all the best.mark

[Jaythesprayer]

Put a compression tester in it and do a test ....but you've washed away most of the oil now, so may not make a very good seal, plus pistons are not a complete seal ..and it will drip even on a new engine.

oh the grey sludge ...has anyone put snake oil in it ..you know the additive ...some contain loads of graphite that may look like grey sludge

BTW ..what was the original complaint about this engine ...on another thread ..that i cant find now ... sorry read so many posts here that things get mixed up in my head.

all the best.mark

Hi Mark
Thanks for your reply

Original complaint was not starting
Was just cranking over and had no code’s whatsoever

What I’ve done so far

Rail pressure test all good
Checked Egr and it’s closed
Checked belt and timing all good
Took the brake vacuum pump off and not broken
Checked the cam pulley and shafts. Dabbed paint on to see if pulley was spinning on the shaft, common problem I’ve been told. So all top end appears to be fine. I haven’t taken the camshaft housing off to inspect rockers and valve height though. But seeing as any of the above tests looked ok I can’t see there being a problem in there.
Examined grey oil no metal reflecting with bright light
Compression test yesterday and the only one that gave me the good reading was the one I poured diesel down
310 120 160 195
The low ones had brown on the heater plugs almost like a rust colour, which rubbed off, the first one looked normal

[metalworker0]

check the valve clearances

all the best.mark

[Jaythesprayer]

check the valve clearances

all the best.mark

What would cause this Mark? If timing has not been interrupted
Also what would be the best way of doing that please
Would it be sufficient if I got it to tdc then removed the cam housing, take off rockers and put a straight edge on and see if any are low?

[metalworker0]

sorry, I'm living in the past, forgot that this is a modern engine ,I don't know if this engine has hydraulic followers ..if it has them.it will mean there isn't a procedure for checking or any need to check.

also cant find any parts diagrams to check on this feature.

no strait edge involved if its non hydraulic .you need feeler blades

edit - YOUR engine does have hydraulic lifters ..so no need to check vale clearances


hopefully someone will come along who knows a bit more about this engine ..

all the best.mark

[dumper]

I’d also have a look at the big end and main shells if it been run with low oil pressure

[Jaythesprayer]

Another day another update

So just to refresh as I have a few topics on the go so will get it all in here now

I bought the van 2018 custom with 37k miles damaged at the front
The inlet manifold is as smashed to bits so that was changed along with a new airbox

Scanned the vehicle and no codes
So with a fully charged battery tried to start, just cranked. Would not even start with easy start
Rail pressure spot on
So compression test done and was low on 3 cylinders
Belt cover off, belt was absolutely fine and all timed correctly
Took sump off and full of grey gloup hence this heading
So today I removed the cam box, all looked good, vacuum pump intact
Removed the head and was expecting to see cracked pistons but they were not
Flipped the head over and filled each valve with wd40 and it didn’t leak through
Head gasket also ok as was the block
The two end pistons looked wet, more like water than diesel, now I’m thinking maybe with the initial inlet manifold having a big hole in it maybe water had made its way into the head and down them valves, slight rust on bores but again probably condensation
Here’s a few pics if anyone has any ideas why this is low on compression
Again only 37k miles

[Jaythesprayer]

The only thing I can think of is rings.
With all that crap in the sump whatever it was could have worn the rings out??
Possible??