OK to use strong engine flush cleaner before oil change?

[e9999]

what makes me wonder is that you can have a used engine, put some fresh oil in it, and if you drain it within, say 1 month/1000 miles, the oil will still look practically new. So it must not have taken much gunk off, right?
E

 

[carolina_cruiser]

I used Amsoil Engine Flush in my Nissan 4X4 about 10 years ago. As I recall, it didn't seem to have any effect positive or negative. The oil / flush mixture that came out wasn't particularly dirty and the engine didn't run any better or worse after flushing.

As others have indicated, you're likely better off investing in a high quality synthetic oil than in motor flush.

 

[concretejungle]

haha -- nope, just sick of talkin' about oil weights --

*pad*



e

oil is good for an engine.
paddy pad pad....

 

[e9999]

I used Amsoil Engine Flush in my Nissan 4X4 about 10 years ago. As I recall, it didn't seem to have any effect positive or negative. The oil / flush mixture that came out wasn't particularly dirty and the engine didn't run any better or worse after flushing.

As others have indicated, you're likely better off investing in a high quality synthetic oil than in motor flush.

well, I did use one of these engine flushes in a metal can once and the oil that came out after running the engine (a van, not a LC) for a few minutes was pitch black...
E

 

[landtoy80]

Run a good syn oil like RotellaT 5w40. Its for diesel and gas motors. Its made to keep a diesel motor clean. The syn oil is a cleaner too.
The stuff worked like the AutoRX stuff. It cleaned up my motor and stopped the leaks... or did it just move the sludge around and THAT stopped the leaks??? anyhow I am happy with it.

I think Seafoam would be a better way to go over a flush as it will slowly work at cleaning you motor.
I have yet to hear anything bad about using it.

 

[Harridig]

So the question still is after all of this . . .

to flush or not to flush?




I'm getting ready for an oil change, thought about doing something cause you always hear of people doing this to their engines. I have never had any leaks or problems . . . so far so why bother if there is potential for big nasty chunks to clog hoses?

What do I REALLY gain from flushing?

Thanks-

D

 

[landtoy80]

NO FLUSH

I called Rotella and they said when switching to syn oil run the RotellaT sys for a short time (I forgot how long) then drain.
Then you can go extended miles.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I don't like the idea of a flush. There are too many wild cards, such as breaking loose old junk and blocking an oil passage. Afterall, it's running fine now and Toyota specifically says no oil flushes or additives are needed. There is a statement to that effect in all 4 of the Toyota manuals that I have. As an alternative, how about an oil change with one of the heavy duty oils like Delo? The oil itself has much more detergency than regular oil and it would be perfectly safe and appropriate for your engine. If you are really concerned about a "flush", drain the oil after 1500 miles and go back to your regular schedule. I really hate the idea of a solvent (like MMO or Sea Foam) in my oil.

I remember reading a thread by some guy who had an old Nissan sentra w/ varnish all over the dipstick. He ran Delvac 1 in it for a year and said the dipstick was shiny silver again.

 

[cary]

I'm getting ready for an oil change, thought about doing something cause you always hear of people doing this to their engines. I have never had any leaks or problems . . . so far so why bother if there is potential for big nasty chunks to clog hoses?

What do I REALLY gain from flushing?

Thanks-

D

Nothing. Just change the oil and filter and drive on.

 

[BOUNDER]

Well...

Use a good filter and a quality oil following your OWMERS MANUAL- most oils are engineered to do what's good for your motor. Neglect, OTOH, is the wild card so try to know your history.

 

[calamaridog]

Read a bit about this in the past, but not sure there is a clear consensus.

So, is there a potential big negative to running one of these engine flush cleaner? The type that you put in and run for 5 minutes just before changing the oil and filter...
Obviously not as smooth and gentle a cleaning as Seafoam etc permanently in the oil, but not that likely it would hurt much either. Conceivably some bigger chunks of crap could be dislodged, but one would think they would likely be caught in the filter soon to be changed...
Seems like that would be a good opportunity to take advantage of an upcoming oil change...
Any more thought on this?
E

I used SEAFOAM on my fathers fleet (business trucks) of Toyota minis (22re) for years both in the tank, crankcase, and fuel system. I am a firm believer in SEAFOAM and have used it successfully on tons of motors.

You can run 1/2 pint bottle in your crankcase for 50-100 miles before you change your oil and filter. I used to do this every 15,000 miles, which was about once every 3 changes.

I have never had an engine problem associated with my use of SEAFOAM, to my knowledge. All of our Toyotas have run forever.

 

[Pskhaat]

Just run a lighter synthentic oil.

 

[cary]

I used SEAFOAM on my fathers fleet (business trucks) of Toyota minis (22re) for years both in the tank, crankcase, and fuel system. I am a firm believer in SEAFOAM and have used it successfully on tons of motors.

You can run 1/2 pint bottle in your crankcase for 50-100 miles before you change your oil and filter. I used to do this every 15,000 miles, which was about once every 3 changes.

I have never had an engine problem associated with my use of SEAFOAM, to my knowledge. All of our Toyotas have run forever.

Have you ever had an oil related problem in these engines that didn't use seamfoam. Given the 22re is known for going 300K plus with fair to poor maintence, I would call this far from conclusive evidence.

 

[acolella]

Synthetic oil switch FJ80

I have a 95 FJ80 with 72K miles. I am thinking of switching to Amsoil or Mobile 1 syn. I have no leaks, and engine has been maintaned properly w/ pet. oil. Any suggestions on what type and weight of oil I should use considering the mileage? Should I flush/clean motor before the switch? sorry, you guys may have discussed this already but could not find any discussions on this topic.

 

[cary]

sorry, you guys may have discussed this already but could not find any discussions on this topic.

Obviously you didn't look very hard then.

 

[fzj80kidpen]

It just doesn't seem to matter.
I put synthetic in my 96 with 150k and it turned the oil on the dipstick dark brown and seemed to leak from my front crankseal quicker.
Back to dino oil castrol 10-30. Stays clean does not get that dark burnt appearance.
I think I'll try baby oil next

 

[Lockd97]

I have a 95 FJ80 with 72K miles. I am thinking of switching to Amsoil or Mobile 1 syn. I have no leaks, and engine has been maintaned properly w/ pet. oil. Any suggestions on what type and weight of oil I should use considering the mileage? Should I flush/clean motor before the switch? sorry, you guys may have discussed this already but could not find any discussions on this topic.

I switched to Amsoil at 84K (as well as all of the other fluids) and now have 103K with no leaks. I did flush with the Amsoil Engine flush just because I had it. I've done this on my other vehicles through the years and have not had a problem. I guess it comes down to what you believe and what you are comfortable with.

 

[calamaridog]

I have a 95 FJ80 with 72K miles. I am thinking of switching to Amsoil or Mobile 1 syn. I have no leaks, and engine has been maintaned properly w/ pet. oil. Any suggestions on what type and weight of oil I should use considering the mileage? Should I flush/clean motor before the switch? sorry, you guys may have discussed this already but could not find any discussions on this topic.

Like the previous post says, find a product you are comfortable with. I use SEAFOAM engine treatment to clean out the crankcase. Just follow the instructions on the bottle. You add it to the crankcase oil a few hundred miles before you change to syn.

SEAFOAM can be had at NAPA. When they see me coming, they try and hide it because I clean them out Last time, I bought all 30 cans...

 

[reffug]

Obviously you didn't look very hard then.

More like must not have looked at all.

 

[Pskhaat]

Would that not be somewhat indicative that the synthetic (minus the seapage) is in fact working?