Dirt in engine oil

Dirt that comes out with the oil is better than dirt that stays in the engine.

Maybe the stuff you're using now has a little more detergent than what you used before? Could also be a change in the fuel, since most of what you see is carbon left over from combustion.

Doesn't look like a problem to me.

 

Yes, more than likely sludge build up, assuming that stuff wasn't suspended in the new oil you put into it. Is that a full synthetic, synthetic blend, or regular oil? Full synthetic oil does a better job of keeping your internals clean. Think of it like plac build-up in your arteries, it'll eventually clog up your engine and damage it. Make sure a new, good quality oil filter is used on every oil change - that's what's going to catch that stuff. Make sure you've got a paper air filter, not that K&N sponge filter that lets in a lot of dirt and debris through.

Good Luck...

Havoline® Fully Synthetic Hybrid SAE 0W-20 1L | Caltex

 

Flush the motor out one of these days or every two years or something they make chemicals you know and you can use various and sundry petrochemicals and just flush a lot of that nastiness out.

 

11 years and only 85,000 miles.
You shouldn't have ANY sludge, at all. Unless you are NOT using synthetic oil.
Which is what the Prius calls for.
If that fancy oil is synthetic, perhaps the detergant is trying to clean out the regular oil.
Are you using a Toyota Oil filter? You should. Do you change each time with the oil?

Maybe someone threw sand in your engine?

 

Take apart your oil filter at next oil change and check between the pleats if the same residu e are there. If so, could be that the air filter path has a crack just enough to dirt to enter engine after the air filter path.

 

Dirt or sludge?
I'd ask how would dirt get into the engine?
Besides vandalism, I would look at your intake track and air filter.
Perhaps a "dirty" gas station and the dirt is from fuel.
Sludge, well, lack of oil changes or wrong oil.

Cutting open an oil filter is a good suggestion from one of our co-members.
Sending an oil sample to Blackstone Labs, or other, may be a valid option to determine.
Good luck.

 

Is my name that offensive?! Muahahahahahah[/QUOTE]

 

Smoke test.

disconnect something convenient on the intake side, temporarily adapt an appropriate hose onto that and supply smoke- from a purpose built machine, a theatrical smoke generator, or a nearby cigarette smoker.

Then look for the smoke coming out anywhere it shouldn't in the path back to the filter box. Have good lights and record video for later review.

I can't say I've noticed that product near me but I'd have no reservations about using it in our car.

If this is your oil shortly before you are getting rid of it, then we are seeing it at its worst.

I don't think you have anything to worry about based on that picture. But keep checking, take more pictures. Takes time to do it right.

 

Synthetic vs conventional oil

You may also want to watch this too.
The Motor Oil Geek - YouTube

 

"OEM or similar paper-type filter."
Stick with OEM.
The fuel is different from the engine oil. The two never meet, except in the cylinder.
So if fuel is getting into the engine oil, you have a serious issue. Which likely you don't.

Make sure you are using ACTUALLY synthetic oil, not a blend, that is NOT synthetic.

If you look at the maintainence book, I believe for your type of driving, adverse/extream conditions
3000 miles is when you should change it.

I actually don't think you have any issues with your oil. Engine oil get dirty.

I have always used 0W-20, the label said, Fully Synthetic. Mobil 1, Liqui Moly, Havoline etc. The maximum duration I ever used any oil was around 8 months, usually around 6 months. Max run was 6,800 kms (~4,300 miles) but usually around 5,500 kms (~3,500 miles) on each interval. But it drives through a slow-moving urban bumper-to-bumper traffic so the engine idles quite a lot.[/QUOTE]

 

A couple of things. When you switch from one brand of oil to another.
The new brand may be better at pulling out different kinds of contaminants.

Also, Before I change my oil, I always get the oil hot by driving on The highway for ten minutes. That way I know All the junk
Is in suspension before dumping the old oil and I'll drain more of it.

SM-A536V ?