What could cause the engine oil turned to sludge in an 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?

Asked by ntblujay Jan 06, 2016 at 02:14 PM about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

Question type: General

I change the oil in my Grand Prix GTP regularly.  When I took the oil plug out no oil came out of my car.  Then I took the Oil Filter off and I could not see the threads on the oil filter and there was a sludge all over the top of it.  I left the oil plug out all night to drain and all that came out was the same sludge that was on the oil filter.

5 Answers

Something does not add up. If you change the oil every 3-4,000 miles then there is no way the oil could turn to sludge and not drain out. Your engine would be seized up or have a major rod knock. What does the sludge look like?

I have attached another picture that shows how thick the sludge is. It comes out in globs.

225

I would check the head gasket, it might be bad, This is probably a good place to check as the 3800 are known to have bad head gaskets, This means that coolant is mixing with your oil causing the slug like oil, I would start with the head gasket and move on from there since most oil problems with slug involve head gasket problems

1 people found this helpful.
18,245

I sort of agree with the coolant in the oil theory except the sludge should really be a milky color, not black. It looks more like oil that has never been changed, but I'm assuming that is not the case. Is there anything else it may have been contaminated with? Is the car running OK otherwise?

That sludge looks like 200,000 miles with no oil changes. Did someone put several quarts of tar in your engine?

Your Answer:

Grand Prix

Looking for a Used Grand Prix in your area?

CarGurus has 2 nationwide Grand Prix listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    munron
    Reputation
    8,130
  • #2
    james sparrow
    Reputation
    7,480
  • #3
    Dorian Hendricks
    Reputation
    6,000
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Pontiac GTO
4 listings
Used Ford Mustang
37 Great Deals out of 1,639 listings starting at $8,800
Used Chevrolet Impala
7 Great Deals out of 133 listings starting at $4,888
Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo
5 listings starting at $9,800
Used Pontiac G6
3 Great Deals out of 18 listings starting at $3,995
Used Chevrolet Corvette
31 Great Deals out of 738 listings starting at $10,989
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
214 Great Deals out of 8,009 listings starting at $1,500
Used Buick LaCrosse
5 Great Deals out of 29 listings starting at $6,995
Used Buick Regal
27 listings starting at $6,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.