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.
18,275

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 200 nationwide Grand Prix listings starting at $2,395.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    munron
    Reputation
    8,150
  • #2
    james sparrow
    Reputation
    7,480
  • #3
    Dorian Hendricks
    Reputation
    6,030
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Pontiac Bonneville
55 listings starting at $2,895
Used Chevrolet Impala
283 Great Deals out of 4,099 listings starting at $300
Used Pontiac GTO
9 Great Deals out of 194 listings starting at $7,995
Used Pontiac G6
12 Great Deals out of 325 listings starting at $1,990
Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo
6 Great Deals out of 207 listings starting at $2,500
Used Ford Mustang
931 Great Deals out of 22,687 listings starting at $1,000
Used Toyota Camry
2,083 Great Deals out of 34,440 listings starting at $300
Used Pontiac Grand Am
62 listings
Used Chevrolet Corvette
718 Great Deals out of 12,531 listings starting at $3,200
Used Honda Accord
1,588 Great Deals out of 30,192 listings starting at $450
Used Buick Regal
57 Great Deals out of 746 listings starting at $800

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.