This is the background. Both head gaskets were leaking on my Disco (D1, 99@105K). I figured I would do the work myself, save have some fun, save some dough. Anyway, the project got to be a PITA, aqnd then shoved to theback burnered. I finally took it to a shop. After the guy gets it back togther, he tells me "there was excessive valve noise, so I cut open the oil filter and found sludge and metal shavings. I think a bearing is bad and need to yank the engine and take a look." He wants to look at the botton end now.

He also said the sludge could be blocking the flow of oil throughout the engine.

The engine was pretty gunked up (I am not the original owner), but wonder if this seems likely. Since I have had her, she's gotten mobil 1, and engine flush.

Any similair experiences?

 

You might want to send me your tele number and in the mean time, do not allow that mechanic to do any work.

 

Royal Purple oil and Shell Rotella T 15w40 will get rid of sludge. good luck with the bearing.
Most likely the sludge and metal is from using crappy oil that is not meant to protect a flat tappet engine like the Rover V8. imho.

 

My concern is not the metal, but the fact that the mechanic wants to remove the engine when that is not needed.

 

Disco MiKe:

I sent you an email at your email address. I told the mechanic to not pull the engine, but to look in the oil pan to make sure the pickup is working properly. I told him that before I saw your posts.

Thanks.

 

He can clean the oil pick up screen, thats not a huge deal, just need to remove the oil pan.

 

Metal "shavings" or bits? Does it look like aluminum? It's very easy for a sloppy/lazy mechanic to get bits of metal into your engine while doing your headgaskets.

 

Thanks Disco Mike.

I know it has been a while (I was on vacation, and away from computer), but the Disco came out of the shop shortly after I talked to you. I followed what you said. When I got her home, I did the the ATF flush, and gave her a new bigger Mobil 1 oil filter. She been running well, with no issues. thanks for your help and guidance!

 

Great, so consider doing a 1 can engine flush, using Gunk's 1 quart engine flush treatment, at around 1500 miles to continue the sludge removal process. Use good oil and filters and continue to keep an eye on that metal issue.