JD 3320 Engine Sludge ?

[pokerboy57]

Folks,

I purchased a used JD3320 (2005 vintage) 2 years ago it had ~ 500 hrs on it. I change the oil ever 50 hrs or twice a year which ever comes first. I have no idea if the engine has sludge in it. It seems to work great. What symptoms would I experience if there was a sludge build up ? Second question is : I use Shell Rotella ? oil What do you think of changing to a synthetic like Amzoil or Mobil One ?

Thanks,
Ray

 

[Ken]

Folks,

I purchased a used JD3320 (2005 vintage) 2 years ago it had ~ 500 hrs on it. I change the oil ever 50 hrs or twice a year which ever comes first. I have no idea if the engine has sludge in it. It seems to work great. What symptoms would I experience if there was a sludge build up ? Second question is : I use Shell Rotella ? oil What do you think of changing to a synthetic like Amzoil or Mobil One ?

Thanks,
Ray

Sludge is caused by leaving the oil cap off allowing moisture into the pan and mix with oil. or worn rings .allowing compression to flush fuel into the pan.
500 hours on engine I would doubt any sludge has built up. and Rotella oil would carry the sludge when changing so again where did the sludge idea develop.?
ken

 

[Tx Jim]

Sludge is caused by leaving the oil cap off allowing moisture into the pan and mix with oil. or worn rings ..?ken

I've never heard the theory leaving oil cap off causes SLUDGE. Sludge can form from operators not changing the oil & filter at the recommended intervals.

 

[Gator6x4]

You did not say what Rotella you are using. Why not stay with Rotella and use the Rotella T6 if this is not what you are currently using.

http://www-static.shell.com/static/...ts_services/lubricants/rotella/rotella_t6.pdf

 

[pokerboy57]

I have no idea whether or not there is sludge in the engine and have no idea what the symptoms are..... I do use Rotella T6 but have only perform 4 oil changes on the tractor. I put sludge in the same catagory as dirty fuel injectors. I worry about it but I'm never really sure whether I have the problem of not. The 3320 just seems to work (and work and work). So I wanted to at least understand if I had a problem. I started using fuel injector cleaner but again I have no idea whether I have any kind of problem there or not.

For now I'll stick to changing the oil ever 6 months or 50 hours and continue to use Rotella T6.

 

[kuboman]

Sludge will occur with many short runs when the engine never really warms up and also if the thermostat is stuck open. Otherwise with your oil change interval you will never develop sludge with a working thermostat.