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Black Sludge is a gel-like substance that can be found in internal combustion engines. It is caused, for example, by mechanical problems such as a malfunctioning crankcase ventilation. Another common cause is too many short journeys where the engine does not reach operating temperature often enough.

What are the consequences of black sludge?

Black sludge in the engine oil causes the oil to lose its lubricating effect. In addition, the gel-like substance hardens relatively quickly, which can lead to blockages in the oil channels and mechanical problems such as stuck piston rings . Of course, clogging of the oil passages results in much more mechanical damage, as the lubrication is then lost at certain points in the engine.

What can I do to prevent black sludge?

The formation of black sludge should always be avoided. Finally, as described above, the consequences can be serious. There are several things you can do yourself to prevent this from happening. First of all, it is important to always change the oil in good time. Oil loses its lubricating effect over time, also because some form of contamination always occurs. Oil change intervals that are too long are often the cause of problems with the car. We recommend changing the oil every 10,000 kilometers.

In addition, it can be useful to carry out an engine flush 1 in 3 refreshments. You can do this yourself if you are a bit skilled, but you can also request it from your workshop. After all, we recommend the use of an oil additive based on Teflon for the purposes of prevention rather than cure. Such a product creates a Teflon layer inside the engine. This Teflon layer has a two-sided effect. On the one hand, it protects the engine from wear, but on the other hand, it also ensures that pollutants are less likely to stick to the engine. In other words, it prevents pollution and thus the formation of “black sludge”.