Oil sludge possibility?

PNIPPER29

MEMBER
2021 NISSAN VERSA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
61,019 MILES

Hello. I recently just got my oil changed about two weeks ago. When I got it changed the guy said there was no oil that drained from my engine. Even though I know there should have been oil in it. We’ll fast forward to yesterday. I came to an abrupt stop and my oil light flashed. When I got home, I pulled out the dip stick and there was oil on the stick. When I wiped it off and replaced the stick and pulled it back out. A thick gritty material appeared on the side of the stick. My husband checked and we didn’t see any oil on the ground or smell anything, could this be sludge? My light has not come on at all in any other way.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Hi,

Have you checked the oil on a regular basis? If you have, there shouldn't be an issue with this mileage. If, however, this is the first or second oil change, certainly sludge is a possibility.

On the other hand, if no oil came out of the oil pan, the oil light would have been on and the engine would have been knocking, ticking, and making a lot of noise. Was that the case? If that wasn't happening, then there was oil in the engine.

In that case, (there was oil still in the engine) if they drained it and nothing came out, it would be overfull at this point unless they just topped it off.

Is the oil on the stick a golden color or is it dark and dirty? Can you upload a pic of what you are seeing?

The only other thing is if the oil pan drain is blocked by sludge, and it didn't drain.

Let me know.

Joe