Sludgy oil filter

Rupes · 03-29-2014, 10:31 AM

Hey guys,

Did my first oil change today. DIY on this site worked flawlessly! I noticed during the change that the oil filter had what appeared to be sludge building up at the base of the filter. Is this normal? Car has 48k miles, and according to the dealership, the last oil change was 8k miles ago. Here's the real kicker though. The car went from 18k miles to 40k before the oil was changed! The car was then miraculously CPO'd after that. Up until this point, I just assumed the previous owner did an oil change himself in between scheduled visits. Now, after seeing this filter, I'm not so sure. How could they even CPO an M3 that went this long between service, should I be concerned?

dparm · 03-29-2014, 11:17 AM

Do you have a photo of the sludge?

Rupes · 03-29-2014, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparm

Do you have a photo of the sludge?

I knew someone was going to ask me that, lol. But no. it looked sticky almost and was very black.

spdy330 · 03-29-2014, 07:10 PM

Just because records showed the last time it was changed it does not rule out that they may have changed it them self or at an Indy shop. I would just clean out the sludge where found and not worry about it if everything seems fine.

W/// · 03-30-2014, 09:41 AM

Keep interval low next time

dparm · 03-30-2014, 07:17 PM

Keep an eye on it for sure. You can pop the filter out in a few thousand miles and check if the sludge is returning. If it is, definitely get it into the dealer ASAP.

TrevorM3 · 03-30-2014, 09:59 PM

so if this sludge were to come back, what does this mean exactly?

dparm · 03-31-2014, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

so if this sludge were to come back, what does this mean exactly?

The oil is getting contaminated with water or coolant, possibly.

03-29-2014, 10:31 AM	#1
Rupes Major 1056 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: F87 M2 (current), E90 330xi (w Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Hey guys, Did my first oil change today. DIY on this site worked flawlessly! I noticed during the change that the oil filter had what appeared to be sludge building up at the base of the filter. Is this normal? Car has 48k miles, and according to the dealership, the last oil change was 8k miles ago. Here's the real kicker though. The car went from 18k miles to 40k before the oil was changed! The car was then miraculously CPO'd after that. Up until this point, I just assumed the previous owner did an oil change himself in between scheduled visits. Now, after seeing this filter, I'm not so sure. How could they even CPO an M3 that went this long between service, should I be concerned?
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03-29-2014, 11:17 AM	#2
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	Do you have a photo of the sludge? __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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03-29-2014, 07:10 PM	#4
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	Just because records showed the last time it was changed it does not rule out that they may have changed it them self or at an Indy shop. I would just clean out the sludge where found and not worry about it if everything seems fine. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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03-30-2014, 09:41 AM	#5
W/// Lieutenant General 7485 Rep 12,307 Posts Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	Keep interval low next time __________________ Current: 16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
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03-30-2014, 07:17 PM	#6
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	Keep an eye on it for sure. You can pop the filter out in a few thousand miles and check if the sludge is returning. If it is, definitely get it into the dealer ASAP. __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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03-30-2014, 09:59 PM	#7
TrevorM3 Banned 3322 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 6.3 AMG Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	so if this sludge were to come back, what does this mean exactly?
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