Dirty Oil, gunk in engine, etc.

[superba1st]

Hi All,

I've read some posts on this, and one of the points is easy.  Detergent oils
are supposed to look dirty after they've been run for a few hundred miles
because they are collecting engine deposits.  Real gunk in an engine can be
caused from many short trips where the engine does not have time to warm up
adequately and evaporate the condensates that have dripped into the sump.
The condensation mixed with the fuel that inevitably winds up in the sump
will evaporates when the engine is run long enough to do so.

As for additives, Audi recommended Techron at one time .  I remember trying
to pour it in the gas tank carefully because it cost so much.  I also
remember some gas station owners retrieving the bottle and refilling it with
plain gas and reselling it for $5.  It has a silver seal under the cap, but
when the gas station guy does it for you, you have little chance to check
it.

Someone recommended using a good brand of motor oil, such as Castrol, Mobil
1, and changing the oil and filters regularly.  I do mine at 3,000 mile plus
or minus a little, but the owner's manual with my car recommended 7,500
miles.  Far too long, imho.

If your engine is smoking, it's probably the valve stem seals.  If not, you
don't want to know anyway.

My .02 worth.

Cheers!

Jim Jordan