Oil flushing, cons?

chewy012 · Aug 10, 2018

I've read about throwing seafoam, diesel, atf, or other high detergent oils, additives to flush and clean the oil system.

Looking for opinions,

On a high mileage (200k+) vehicle thats never been rebuilt, with modern gaskets (post 1990), is there a risk of washing out gaskets and giving yourself a leak?

I've always avoided putting detergents in my oil pan for fear of causing myself a leak through an old gasket that washed out.

Thoughts?

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85_Ranger4x4 · Aug 10, 2018

At 150k miles the top end of my 5.4 in my 2002 F-150 looked like it was about two weeks old. The aluminum head had been stained slightly but there was no buildup of anything.

It has only seen Motorcraft 5w-20 for the last 10 or so years.

I really don't think there would be anything to flush out. If not for an oozing valve cover I dealt with as I was changing intake gaskets I would have never seen it.

adsm08 · Aug 10, 2018

I agree. You don't risk much unless you are using a really harsh cleaner. If you are using something like VPS oil flush from Valvoline it will work, and worst thing that will happen is you speed up a leak that was going to happen anyway.

If you are really worried about it find a diesel oil that is close to the weight you need and use that for a few oil changes. It is high detergent, non-solvent and will clean stuff up really nice in a gas engine.

chewy012 · Aug 10, 2018

Nice. I'm not overtly worried about it, i've just always been paranoid about using oils with active cleaning agents or cleaning the oil system with something other than clean conventional oil... And now that I have a leak free rig, I'm not trying to shoot myself in the foot haha

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Andy D · Aug 10, 2018

If you change the oil and filter at 5K miles, There won't be anything to clean. Flushes are a hail Mary, last ditch try. Usually in hopes from freeing up a lifter or stuck rings. If the engine isn't using oil or got a lifter tick, save your time and money.

chewy012 · Aug 10, 2018

Andy D said:
If you change the oil and filter at 5K miles, There won't be anything to clean. Flushes are a hail Mary, last ditch try. Usually in hopes from freeing up a lifter or stuck rings. If the engine isn't using oil or got a lifter tick, save your time and money.

Deal! Thats what I like to hear.

I've always heard marvelous things about doing a flush, but i've heard bad things about using detergents.... Always been a personal pucker factor

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adsm08 · Aug 10, 2018

chewy012 said:
Deal! Thats what I like to hear.

I've always heard marvelous things about doing a flush, but i've heard bad things about using detergents.... Always been a personal pucker factor

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Detergents aren't a problem. All your engine oil has them in it.

Solvents are what you need to worry about. They break down the lubricity of oils, and can cause damage to lubricated parts. That's why I don't like putting SeaFoam in oil.

chewy012 · Aug 11, 2018

adsm08 said:
Detergents aren't a problem. All your engine oil has them in it.

Solvents are what you need to worry about. They break down the lubricity of oils, and can cause damage to lubricated parts. That's why I don't like putting SeaFoam in oil.

Yeah that never quite added up. ATF I could make sense, and diesel in a modest blend, but i've never felt much lubricity from seafoam.

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Captain Ledd · Aug 11, 2018

I use it every oil change. Had to replace a valve cover gasket at 180,000 miles on my dad's '05 Saturn Ion years ago, there was hardly any varnish on anything.

alwaysFlOoReD · Aug 11, 2018

Captain Ledd said:
I use it every oil change.

Use what?

chewy012 · Aug 11, 2018

alwaysFlOoReD said:
Use what?

"It"

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alwaysFlOoReD · Aug 11, 2018

chewy012 said:
"It"

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ericbphoto · Aug 11, 2018

alwaysFlOoReD said:

That's what she said.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

Captain Ledd · Aug 13, 2018

alwaysFlOoReD said:
Use what?

Oil flush. What this whole thread is about.

JohnnyO · Aug 13, 2018

A few years ago I got turned on to a gentler cleaner called Auto-RX by the dudes at BobIsTheOilGuy.com. Basically you change your oil and filter with a straight dino oil (not syn or high mileage oils), and add a bottle of Auto-RX. Drive it 3000 miles and change it again with plain dino oil and no additive this time. This is called the "rinse phase". Drive it another 3000 miles and believe me, this time the oil will drain out like tar. I've done it on a few used vehicles I've bought and it really does work. Also conditions the seals. I don't sell the stuff or work for the company or anything like that. I'm just sayin'.

www.auto-rx.com

Oil flushing, cons?

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