Removing sludge from a 2.7 liter Dodge engine can protect your vehicle and keep it on the road for many more miles. Dodge's 2.7 liter engine used from the 1998 to 2004 model years can develop internal oil sludge for several reasons. The most common cause is coolant entering the engine from a faulty water pump. Other reasons include sludge clogging narrow oil passages in the engine or a PCV system that does not allow enough gases to escape, causing oil to break down prematurely. Removing sludge and changing your maintenance schedule can prevent long-term problems from arising.
Drain oil and replace oil filter. By draining all oil and replacing the oil filter, you will be able to lower the oil pan without worrying about dropping it or spilling oil. Replacing the oil filter will keep any oil left in the engine from dripping onto the ground.
Drop the oil pan. Once the oil pan bolts are removed, the pan may be lowered to the ground and inspected for sludge. If you have a 2.7 liter V6 from the 1998 to 2004 model years, there is likely some sludge buildup in the pan.
Clean the oil pan. Use a mild detergent like automatic transmission fluid to clean the oil pan. You may need to rub deposits with a shop towel or loosen them.
Replace gasket and fit the oil pan. After cleaning the oil pan, scrape off any remaining gasket left on its edges. Replace the old gasket with a new one or use an RTV liquid gasket around the edges. Line up the oil pan with the engine and reattach it using bolts, making sure that the gasket is properly seated.
Fill the oil with conventional oil. The oil filter was replaced in Step 1, so it need not be replaced again. Fill the engine to the appropriate level as read on the dipstick. Oil capacity varies by model year, so be sure to check your owners manual for the proper fill amount and remember that residual oil left in the engine means that cars rarely take the entire stated oil capacity.
Check the oil filter. After a few days of driving, remove the oil filter and check it for debris. If the filter is clean and no sludge is visible, the sludge has been successfully removed. In this case, skip to Step 8. Otherwise, complete an engine flush.
Complete an engine flush. There are multiple brands of engine flush on the market, and any one will do the job correctly. An engine flush will help clear any remaining sludge deposits in your engine. A flush involves changing your oil filter, adding the flush to the current oil, and idling the engine for 15 to 30 minutes. After this time, drain the oil and flush and remove the oil filter.
Fill with synthetic oil. Most remaining sludge should now be removed from the engine. Complete your service by filling the engine with synthetic oil and using a high quality oil filter. Synthetic oil resists sludge and will prevent sludge buildup from happening again.
