04 Suburban oil pan, whew

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Sgt Gus

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Holy oil sludge batman! Might not hurt to replace the oil pressure sensor, don't know if your era has the screens on them or not. I would imagine if it did it would be clogged up from that sludge!
Yeah, I thought of that too. I might.
 

Sgt Gus

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This is a good read here, but like I said, this is for 07-14. Not sure about your gen. @Old77 ?


 

Sgt Gus

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That is a good read. Similar solution, seafoam for clean out which you may have seen results, and been running the oil change with the Rislone. Quiet now.
I use high milage stp synthetic and get their extended life filters (10,000) and change every 5-6k.
Been doing awhile, but I know the PO and doubt he used anything good other than cheap.
I didn't realize the oil pressure screen was that big. Definitely looks like worth the curiosity to change it and sensor.
Glad I didn't get into lifters. I can't be rebuilding two engines, lol.
 

Old77

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That is a good read. Similar solution, seafoam for clean out which you may have seen results, and been running the oil change with the Rislone. Quiet now.
I use high milage stp synthetic and get their extended life filters (10,000) and change every 5-6k.
Been doing awhile, but I know the PO and doubt he used anything good other than cheap.
I didn't realize the oil pressure screen was that big. Definitely looks like worth the curiosity to change it and sensor.
Glad I didn't get into lifters. I can't be rebuilding two engines, lol.
Is definitely worth the effort. May not solve all the issues but won't hurt, either.
 

Hunter79764

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Do the screen if you get bored, but I'll second that 20 psi hot idle ain't bad. I had an '01 Suburban with 3xxk miles that did similar. I think I replaced the oring and de-sludged the pan around 250k, and a lifter would tick after about 3000 miles on an oil change. I just used it as a reminder when to change the oil and kept trucking. Eventually I thought I'd get ahead of it and replace the engine with a lower mile pull-out when it had 320 or something, but it was a mistake, the new one had a cracked head or something intermittent that head gasket sealer in a bottle took care of. Ended up selling it for other reasons, but I think that the original engine would have kept going just fine till 400+. don't remember the hot idle psi, but I doubt it was much higher than 20. All that you need is enough to push it everywhere it needs to go in the engine, and rise with RPM, and it looks like you have that. Run it...
 

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So, interesting update. Had a couple start-up growls. She uses the usual quart between changes. At about 5k+, since seafoam, and using 1/4 quart of rislone (added another 1/4 when I added oil) I did oil change.
Oil filter was pretty heavy, looked like quite a bit of gunk.
Start-up and oil pressure looks close to or normal! I haven't replaced oil pressure sensor and screen yet sitting there.
Runs 40 psi, 35ish when hot, and 45-50 @ 2000rpm and above.
 

Sgt Gus

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Well, reached our goal of 350k, but she's done. Transmission fine, engine smokes on startup and went through huge amount of oil in a day. I don't have time to rebuild my daily work truck, so sold it to a mechanic who can and searching for a new used burb.
Celebrating the ride, and looking at issues like trans I may have on a newer used, lol
 

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edgephoto

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It is a shame that you or the previous owner let it sludge up. If you had used a quality oil and changed it regularly it would not have so much sludge. My 1987 has been in my family since 1988 and has well over 200,000 miles on it. Does not smoke and engine only has a slight yellowish film on it, no sludge or crud. We always changed the oil every 3000 and used a Synthetic.
 

Hunter79764

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350k and needs rings or something already? They just don't make them like they used to, huh?

(And sometimes, thank goodness)
 

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Well, reached our goal of 350k, but she's done. Transmission fine, engine smokes on startup and went through huge amount of oil in a day. I don't have time to rebuild my daily work truck, so sold it to a mechanic who can and searching for a new used burb.
Celebrating the ride, and looking at issues like trans I may have on a newer used, lol
Pat her on the butt and send her home.
 

TotalyHucked

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Dang, that's a bummer. But 350k on any engine is awesome, that motor didn't owe anyone a thing. I just went through the rebuilding the daily's engine thing and it took me quite a bit longer than I'd hoped, don't blame ya a bit for selling her off
 

Sgt Gus

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Mechanic friend will rebuild, or do top end. Definitely needs lifters and valve seals, if that's it, he got a deal.
I miss her, she ran smooth!
 

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