Oil system flushing

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Aug 30, 2004 | 09:50 PM

Garland

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Oil system flushing

Is oil system flushing a good idea? And what are the benifits?

Aug 30, 2004 | 10:37 PM

rander101

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From: Virginia

If you change the oil regularly and on schedule I can't see any advantage to oil system flushing.

Aug 30, 2004 | 10:58 PM

Garland

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I have a 93 mitsu diamante that was not taken car of very well before I got it. PCV system and all was so clogged up it blew the main seal out. Need to know just in case the same thing happens with this 80 F100 I just got.

Aug 31, 2004 | 05:03 AM

srercrcr

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I'll have to disagree. When you pull the valve cover, you'll see some degree of varnish for sure, and possibly some sludge (crud). That's the nature of hydrocarbon engines.
The flush is like kerosene. If you had greasy hands and put kerosene on them, the grease would melt away, just like the degreaser products do to the grease on your engine.

Aug 31, 2004 | 08:29 AM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

I stand withthe regular oil changes, I have disassembled many motors that look as clean as the day they were built, just because of regular service. The upper level of the valve covers may get varnish, but that is due to the cooler temps there, and it won't be the case further down, certainly not to the point of plugging. I have used trans oil instead of one of the quarts of engine oil to clean up abused engines, I would be concerned useing anything that destroys oil in a motor, as it destroys lubrication and cushion when it destroys oil. I made that mistake once on an Escort, it was so crudded up, used kerosene in it by the advice of my brother in law, and the engine was junk shortly after. I was still young and learning, but I will never do that again, I don't care how bad the motor is. If it is so bad that a method like that is the only salvation, might as well figure on tearing it down, as that will be coming anyway.

Aug 31, 2004 | 09:04 AM

holland501

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From: houston

I wouldn't recommend a flush on an older engine. Put in a good quality oil and filter and let them do their job. The detergents will slowly and safely disolve any sludge and deposit them in the filter. The process will be slow but you can feel safe that you won't cause any new problems. Good luck.

Aug 31, 2004 | 12:50 PM

db_tanker

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Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Willis, Texas

I have always followed the advice to NOT flush a questionable engine. Just change the oil regular. If you try to flush, then you run the chance of clogging up your pick up screen. Run a good oil, like Castrol or Shell Rotella.

I run Rotella 15-40 in my 302 and Castrol 10-30 in my Mitsu. The Rotella, being diesel oil, has a much higher detergent content than normal gasoline motor oil. IMHO it is worth the extra 2 or 3 bucks at the Jiffy Lube.