Corvair Forum

Hello all should I be concerned with silver sludge in oil? I'm redoing some stuff to figure out what previous owner did and did not do. So far it's got viton everywhere so that's a great sign but I am seeing this silver stuff and want to make sure it's ok

1966 Corsa


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Could be excess assembly lube? Was it a fresh rebuild? Might be no issue at all if that's the case.

Is it magnetic? Is it a fine powder type of material or can you feel some grit when rubbed between your fingers?

Is it slimy? could be lead deposits from back in the days of leaded gas that never got cleaned out. If it is that not a big deal. I would guess that if it is not magnetic (not steel) and not crazy amounts it is likely of little concern. I have seen large globs of slimy silvery lead deposits in oil pans before.

I used to use silver anti seize lube on all bolts


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The motor was gone thru by previous owner and rings replaced and all that. It is slimy. Not metallic like metal but like a lubricant

Guess I shouldn't be too worried
Thanks!!


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skipvair wrote:I used to use silver anti seize lube on all bolts


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I think that is the answer. I bought anti seize for aluminum and it is aluminum in color. Why there is so much of it I have no idea but I think that's the winning answer. Maybe from when the rocker bolts were replaced who knows.

Nothing to worry about I hope.


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Here is a photo of silver sludge in an oil pan. In this case it was around 1/2" thick and covered with oily goo. It is lead deposits in this engine. I am guessing this oil pan has not been off for a very very long time. Most of the bolts in and around the engine appear to be untouched since new:)

Could it be zinc from the oil?