Oil filter is doing its job.... FULL of sludge

[abscate]

Let's see what the next oil change looks like, at 120 per day, Dave is due up soon!

[mrbrian200]

Assuming the air filter/intake piping is ok I personally suspect oil beak down.

Is it possible Mobile had a bad batch get out?

[JimBee]

There are only 2 ways for particulates to get into the engine, either through the air box (with filter removed) or into the oil filler. It's quite the miracle if oil is still getting topside and through the lifters. I would probably use a 5w-20 full synthetic (for max lube to the degree oil is getting through fine galleys) with at least half of a can of Seafoam, maybe even a full can, just run the engine at idle for a few minutes, not even long enough to warm it up, dump it and repeat. That wouldn't get it all out but would improve circulation for the next round of the same.

[F250]

Another outstanding oil system cleaner is Kreen, by Kano Labs.

[oragex]

I would probably use a 5w-20 full synthetic (for max lube to the degree oil is getting through fine galley

I've read about a different brand owner who used 5W-20 oil in his 2005 or so vehicle who wasn't specified for the W-20 oil grade. He got his engine ruined after a few months with low oil pressure and worn rod bearings. I would never use a W-20 grade in a car for which the manufacturer doesn't mention it takes 5W-20 oil.

[Bricks_and_boxcars]

I've seen my own car do this but in a much more benign way. It's caused by (my theory) sitting around. The car needed REALLY frequent oil changes after I bought it and drove it semi hard for about a year after. The oil turned dark in about a thousand miles.
In your case it looks like a hard dust and oil combo that in your area collected around and in the vehicle's filters and ducts. It's a case of gradual build up from sitting. Mine sat for decades in New Jersey, in a garage. It's a 1990 Volvo 764 T. I noticed the last few oil changes' used oil becoming less and less grungy and particle filled. If it was me I would do a chem analysis on that stuff. It looks very particulate filled.
You should notice a gradual change in the consistency of your oil over time. Frequent oil changes are the way to go to remove these deposits. Don't use oil flushes as they can ruin the engine as small deposits rapidly fractionate and end up in galleries, potentially clogging them and to a previous point, clog them and destroy the oil pump and other items due to lack of lubrication. You'll have to judge it carefully.
Be safe out there.
-BNB

[mrbrian200]

After switching to syn if this were old buildup dropping out I would expect this mostly in the first 0-10k. But all at once 30,000 out just doesn't click with me. Yes you need to send a sample for analysis. Contact Mobil, explain the oil change history of the vehicle since you bought it, they may want to take a sample of that to examine as well. 1-800-AskMobil (1-800-275-6624).

[Georgeandkira]

No one mentioned a)sabotage, b) "prank", c) plain evil deed.
I'm surprised sludge-gooey, shiny sludge was even mentioned.
What was trapped by the filter is gritty dirt and all that dirt got there somehow.
Perhaps some kid dumped some sand/dirt into your engine.
Did you get into a fight with your GF? If you went on and on about your car (ignoring her, perhaps) she may have taken a shot at your "other GF" by pouring potting soil into your car's oil fill.

I think it would pay to drop your pan and check. Think cold Winter start-up with your oil pickup 85% clogged.

[precopster]

Black goo! Search it!!

[jonesg]

Drove it 120 miles round trip to work. The one thing I noticed was some oil splatter on the cover. With the old oil cap it just drizzled into the head. This was a bit more pressurized. It's not an OEM cap but fits tight. Like a $8 Amazon one

So I'm just a parts replacer, not exactly a mechanic... adding everything up I'm thinking with a better seal maybe the pressure knocked something loose and that's what clogged up the filter? Meh I don't know, I'm monitoring the oil level before driving and I'll flush everything out this weekend.

Oh and abscate, I have matt's set up on my Amazon. I'll start throwing him a bone here and there; I buy enough stuff to support a 3rd world country

I would get a volvo oil cap, junkyard part, it looks like its plain weeping oil and its getting blown back to the firewall.
It can injest dust through that same ill fitting cap under vacuum.