Flushing the Engine?
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Waco USA
Flushing the Engine?
I have a '71 F100 with a 390. I just changed the valve stem seals because it was smoking a bit on start-up. Under the valve covers there was a little bit of sludge and quite a bit of carbon build-up. There was even an oil drain passage clogged on one side, which I cleared. Before putting it back together I shop vacced the worst of the flaky carbon pieces.
My question is: Has anybody flushed there engine oil system with flushing additive (that five minute stuff)? How did it work for you? Where there any bad side effects? What are the pros and cons of using it?
Thanks,
My question is: Has anybody flushed there engine oil system with flushing additive (that five minute stuff)? How did it work for you? Where there any bad side effects? What are the pros and cons of using it?
Thanks,
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Mount Prospect, IL
Flushing the Engine?
do you have an oil pressure problem currently?
I would be real reluctant to "flush" the system.
My reason for that is I have seen several instances where someone put something in the oil (kerosene, a commercial flush...etc...) and thought they were helping to prolong their engine life, only to see oil leaks develop,(old dry caked oil often forms a seal)
I have also seen instances where someone threw a rod, because basically all the old crud was loosened a bit(but didnt come out right away in the flushing process) and eventually worked out later, disolving into the "fresh oil" and of course gunk is abrasive so you know how the bearings loved that.
IMHO I would not, thats just one mans opinion.
Best of luck
Drew.
I would be real reluctant to "flush" the system.
My reason for that is I have seen several instances where someone put something in the oil (kerosene, a commercial flush...etc...) and thought they were helping to prolong their engine life, only to see oil leaks develop,(old dry caked oil often forms a seal)
I have also seen instances where someone threw a rod, because basically all the old crud was loosened a bit(but didnt come out right away in the flushing process) and eventually worked out later, disolving into the "fresh oil" and of course gunk is abrasive so you know how the bearings loved that.
IMHO I would not, thats just one mans opinion.
Best of luck
Drew.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Flushing the Engine?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Jul-02 AT 10:19 PM (EST)]If you would really like to flush the engine, he best thing to do is remove the pan, clean it, and clean the oil pickup tube screen. While you're at it, change the rod bearings for longer life.
It isn't hard to do, but there are few little details good to know that will help you avoid little headaches.
Drew is right on the money: DON'T use those engine flush treatments!
It isn't hard to do, but there are few little details good to know that will help you avoid little headaches.
Drew is right on the money: DON'T use those engine flush treatments!
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Flushing the Engine?
Yup, flushes are no good. We used a flush once on a '66 F100 with a 240 cu.in. six. Shortly after that the rod bearing noises got unbearable. The front sheetmetal was rotted anyway, so it wasn't worth rebuilding. We turned it into a trailer shortly after that.
