2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible GTC
Engine Sludge Quiz!

The below pictures are taken of two sets of exhaust valvetrain components from the left-hand bank of Chrysler 2.7L V-6 engines. One set came from a 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with 39600 miles on it. The other set came from another 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with 16000 miles on it. Care to guess which set came from what engine?

Two Sets Of Left-Hand Cylinder Bank Exhaust Valvetrain Components - A (left) and B (right)

Set A Close-Up

Set B Close-Up

Set B, Cylinder 4 Exhaust Aft Valve Lash Adjuster

Set A, Comparison with Brand New Valve Lash Adjuster

Set B, Comparison with Brand New Valve Lash Adjuster

If you guessed that set B came from the car with 39600 miles on it,... YOU WOULD BE WRONG!

Set A came from my car, which had 39600 miles on it at the time these pictures were taken. Even though both engines suffered from the effects of aluminum flash, my engine did a far sight better than the other engine. This is why I use only synthetic oil in my engine. This is why I always change the oil and oil filter every 3000 miles. My engine was still usable even after the worst of the aluminum flash had gone through, yet I had no sludge buildup. The superior high-temperature performance of the synthetic oil, along with the presence of fresh oil, prevented sludge buildup in my engine.

Set B came from a junked 2002 Sebring Convertible that was in the process of being parted out. It was found in a junkyard in Massilon, OH, where the engine was being taken apart. Their records stated that the engine only had 16000 miles on it, and I have no reason to believe that a junkyard would lie about the mileage. This is especially true given that the personnel taking the engine apart had no clue what they were looking at until I pointed out the failure of the engine.

That engine was in really bad shape. Sludge had coated all of the internal surfaces. All of the valve lash adjusters on the left-hand bank cylinder head were jammed up. The exhaust valve lash adjusters for #2 and #4 cylinders had collapsed, as their plungers were really easy to push in and pull out. I did not look at the right-hand cylinder bank, but it's a given that that bank was in just as bad shape as the left-hand bank was.