Cleaning valve trains

[Shelly Harris]

Now that I have the valve covers off I'm wondering if I should take the opportunity of cleaning up the small amount of sludge accumulated on the valve train. It's really not much. I can smear it off the metal surfaces and springs with my finger and it's depth is miniscule. Anyway, I was thinking if I sprayed it all down with brake cleaner or some degreaser, maybe use a small soft brush, I could clean it up. I know the cleaner with the junk would flow down into the pan and then go who knows where. So I thought I could block off the oil drain holes and use my shop vac to suck up the cleaners and scum while I apply it. Is this a decent idea or am I off base here. Also is the miniscule amount of sludge worth the worry. My old VW air cooled beetles always had very clean valve trains and I've never been presented with this situation before.

All opinions appreciated....

[Mad Scientist]

It wouldn't hurt to clean them, but I don't know that it would help. I would be concerned about getting cleaner into the oil.

A better plan might be to do a number of frequent oil changes, say every 500 miles. That would tend to clean out the entire engine.

[Don Henschel]

You just changed your oil? Too bad, otherwise you could use a soft brush with some new varsol (solvent) and gently brush the sludge down and let it drain into your crankcase and then out through the drain plug. I wouldnt worry too much about it if you can wipe it off with your fingers. Use a lighter oil and change more often. I only use 5w30 (Ford and other manufactures recommend 5W20 all year since 2001) in all my cars all year including my 50 Merc with a flathead V8 (5w30 has been in it since I rebuilt the engine in 1985 with about 80,000 miles since). My engines are all very clean inside as well (light oil splashes around alot better!)
Now for my other opinion:No, but when I'm here in the winter, I do start it up every two weeks or so and if the streets are clear I'll take it through its gears around the block a few times and then back in the garage. Bad weathr, salt on the streets... no way.
I wouldnt bother with this (this often). Some might disagree with me but your killing your car with kindness. "Sludge in gasoline engines is usually black emulsion of water and other combustion by-products, and oil formed primarily during low-temperature engine operation. Sludge is typically soft, but can polymerize to very hard substance. It plugs oil lines and screens, and accelerates wear of engine parts." Your engine is probably not very hot while doing these winter startups and not running it long enough just causes buildup of moisture in the crankcase. I also run hotter thermostats in mine, usually a minimum of 180 deg. even in my flathead V8. Your VWs ran clean because those aircooled engines run nice and hot (and clean). Other than winter, how does your car get driven, slow, stop and start trips or on the highway. Also how long are your oil change intervals?
P.S. how quiet are your valves running now that you have your valve covers off? Any lifters ticking?