Post HG Replacement Oil Change - can it be skipped?

[The Critic]

I just finished replacing the headgasket (HG) on my neighbor's 2010 Corolla 1.8. The vehicle was a recent purchase and despite having a documented 5K oil change history for the last decade, I think the headgasket failure caused a moderate amount of sludge to form inside the engine.

I cleaned the valve cover, camshaft housing and lower oil pan in a parts washer so all of those parts are now sparkly clean. However, there is still a decent amount of build up inside the upper oil pan and in other inaccessible areas.

He is trying to spend as little as possible on this car since he isn't sure how long it will be kept for. The engine was refilled with Valvoline Restore and Protect 0W20. Would it be safe to just proceed with a 5K interval going forward, or is it absolutely imperative for the oil to be changed in 500-1000 miles?

 

[AKhan87]

I just finished replacing the headgasket (HG) on my neighbor's 2010 Corolla 1.8. The vehicle was a recent purchase and despite having a documented 5K oil change history for the last decade, I think the headgasket failure caused a moderate amount of sludge to form inside the engine.

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I cleaned the valve cover, camshaft housing and lower oil pan in a parts washer so all of those parts are now sparkly clean. However, there is still a decent amount of build up inside the upper oil pan and in other inaccessible areas.

He is trying to spend as little as possible on this car since he isn't sure how long it will be kept for. The engine was refilled with Valvoline Restore and Protect 0W20. Would it be safe to just proceed with a 5K interval going forward, or is it absolutely imperative for the oil to be changed in 500-1000 miles?

if he is on a budget, VRP at 5k interval even after the HG replacement will do no harm because you have cleaned up majority of it, the engine only hold 0.5-0.7 quarts of motor oil that doesn't come out with the oil change, and since you cleaned up the oil pan by removing it, there is only about 0.5 quart of motor oil left which "maybe" partially contaminated, it will do no harm at that level.

obviously if he had the budget for it, I would do a 500 mile oil change on the cheapest motor oil then continue with a 5k OCI on VRP.

 

[ATex7239]

A shorter run on this first one makes sense to me. But if he’s wanting to keep costs down then I guess letting is ride the full 5K miles is the way to go.

 

[eljefino]

I'd have thrown some cheapo clearance oil in for the first fill, then dumped that after a short interval for the R&P.

Don't compromise for these "as cheap as possible" clients, get it as close to 100% as you can in your custody as they might neglect things in the future.

When I did the HG on my Dodge Spirit 2.5, I gave it probably four OCI's with clearance oil before I was confident I got all the peanut butter out.

 

[OVERKILL]

I'd early change it and inspect the filter "just in case".

 

[The Critic]

I'd have thrown some cheapo clearance oil in for the first fill

Agreed, but I didn’t have any. Cheapest 0W20 at WM was $19 and bulk R&P wasn’t much more.

 

[Chris142]

I’m cheap/ frugal but even I understand the reason for an oil change after doing a head gasket . Dudes worried over $20?

 

[spasm3]

I would change it at @ 1000 miles with a known cleaning oil on board like R&P and existing sludge from coolant. If he does not want to, i'd at least change the filter @1000 miles and top off.

 

[benjamming]

Changing it early is the more frugal way actually in my mind.

 

[chris719]

I mean, that looks less bad than the majority of Kia/Hyundai 4 cylinders driving around out there . If it's not going to be kept you could probably just send it. Still, it would bother me and I'd do a couple short changes.

 

[rondhol]

Head gasket or any water in the oil will cause sludge. It is like chain reaction of oil oxidation that produce radicals in the oil very fast once the antioxidant is depleted.

 

[fdcg27]

For the very minimal cost involved I can't see not doing an early change.
Just good practice and not enough cost for anyone to worry about.
They might end up keeping the car after all.

 

[KEVINK0000]

Yes. if he was too cheap I would pay for a cheap oil change myself. HG replacement always drops junk everywhere, not just coolant.