OK to use strong engine flush cleaner before oil change?

[cary]

Oil turns dark brown or black because it is picking up contaminants. The reason that the synth turned brown quickly was the different additive package cleaned out some junk left behind by the other oil. This can also occur when switching brands of mineral oils, different additive packages.

 

[Gauge]

When I was a teenager I bought an old Ford that had a cranckase filled with black crud buildup. I had (what I thought) was a bright idea to clean it out. I drained the oil, filled the cranckase with straight kerosene, ran it for 5 minutes, then drained it (it was VERY black) and then refilled the cranckase with fresh oil.

2 days later the engine blew up. Threw a rod out the block.

Anything that "breaks down" a lubricant is probably not a good thing to be floating around in your engine.

Switching to synthetic will probably remove all the crud over time anyway and is much better for your engine.

 

[carolina_cruiser]

When I was a teenager I bought an old Ford that had a cranckase filled with black crud buildup. I had (what I thought) was a bright idea to clean it out. I drained the oil, filled the cranckase with straight kerosene, ran it for 5 minutes, then drained it (it was VERY black) and then refilled the cranckase with fresh oil.

I did that with a lawnmower engine once. I've often wondered what it would do to an automobile engine. Thanks to your post, now I know.

BTW, the lawnmower ran fine for years afterward.

 

[DoughNut]

take your oil pan off and clean the crap out. remember if something is meant to clean out oil then it will most likely lose lubrication in wearing area's as you are doing the flush. I 've heard of guys using solvents like varsol. good way to have bear metal on metal during the first little bit on start up.

Way late but why not. “Bare metal”

 

[Heckraiser]

OK, you win the "Random Bump of the Year" award. Bumping a 15 year old thread to make a spelling correction. Kudos to you, sir!

 

[Grandlooser]

 

[brownbear]

Oh my gawd an oldie... saw myself quoted and could not remember even writing that...

 

[lumbee1]

When I was a teenager I bought an old Ford that had a cranckase filled with black crud buildup. I had (what I thought) was a bright idea to clean it out. I drained the oil, filled the cranckase with straight kerosene, ran it for 5 minutes, then drained it (it was VERY black) and then refilled the cranckase with fresh oil.

2 days later the engine blew up. Threw a rod out the block.

Anything that "breaks down" a lubricant is probably not a good thing to be floating around in your engine.

Switching to synthetic will probably remove all the crud over time anyway and is much better for your engine.

Good to know! Thanks Gauge!