Long read but please help...

Reaching out for help. My '05 S197 4.6L was recently serviced. I started having issues during the onset of the cold weather season. Acceleration to highway speeds was lagging. Only way to mitigate the issue was to let the engine warm up before leaving. It felt like a cylinder wasn't firing so I had the plugs changed. Dealer changed the plugs then said that there were some other issues with the engine. Diagnostics led to the changing the throttle body for the low price of $1,000 and an oil change.

Drove the car from the dealer and she ran great. Made it 35 minutes on highway just fine. Made it to the 1st red light and went into idle. I thought she was going to stall out on me. Highway speed and acceleration was fine but on two occasions idle was really rough. Drove right back to the dealer and told them the new symptoms. Dealer called on Monday and said you got a sludge buildup and you need a new engine.

Am I really f'ed or is there something else I can do to save my engine?

 

How many miles on engine?

How often is service?

What kind of oil and weight are used?

How far is your normal drive or commute?

 

Taking your car to the dealer for simple maintenance such as changing plugs is one way to throw your money away. $1000 for a TB? Ouch. Did they at least give you a reach around?

You can try running some seafoam through the engine. Maybe run a better quality fuel such as Shell. Don't use Jewel or Costco because it's a lower quality gasoline.

I do know that these engines are designed to recycle oil from the crank case back into the cylinders of the engine through the intake to be burned off. You may want to invest in an oil catch can (or separator). Overtime, this recycled oil can definitely sludge up the motor.

Oh, and I would recommend taking your car to a reputable shop and get a second opinion.

 

Definitely second opinion time.

 

Holy cow...they really abused you with the $1,000! It really should be criminal for dealers / auto shops to take advantage of people like that.

 

+1 ^^^

Definitely get a 2nd opinion on this. Ask around for a reputable local shop to take your car to.

 

Where in MD are you located?

 

OP, any update?

 

The dealer raped you. Do not go back.

 

The concern with sludge if indeed you have it will cause performance problems. You may even get Cam Shaft or Crankshaft codes. There is a test for oil pressure on the cams that needs to be done. This will determine if you have excessive wear on the cam journals. For that matter if you pop the valve cover off you might even see if you have a sludge problem.