Engine Flush

[JoeC]

I know that if you change your engine oil often enough then there should be no need to flush the engine. However, would it cause any issues if it were flushed with a cleaning agent?

 

[Fanum]

Tried it years ago on a MK1 Escort engine, and it became smoky and noisy afterwards.

I was told (although this is as valid as 'my mate down the pub said.....) that an engine flush will break down all the gummy seals, carbon build ups in things like piston rigs and potentially make things all loose and sloppy......or block up oil lines with carbon deposits that were sitting quite happily where they were.


If it ain't broke, don't fix it

 

[JoeC]

... an engine flush will break down all the gummy seals, carbon build ups in things like piston rigs and potentially make things all loose and sloppy

That's my thoughts as well but thought I would ask.

 

[JJH]

I am not a fan BUT if you must just use parriffn but I'd like to see a reason for this flushing. I know the snake oil sales line ( I used to sell Wynns many years ago) but is there a real valid reason to do it? Maby a nitrogen sales person will be along to explain JJH

 

[Steptoe]

If you are going to "flush" your engine don't go spending silly money on special flushing fluids.

Just add a litre of ATF to your engine oil and ride it a couple of times around the block before flushing.

My 23 year old K100 loan bike gets the ATF treatment every oil change.
Mainly to clean out the starter clutch which can be a problem on the K series bikes.

 

[Ugly Cow]

I know that if you change your engine oil often enough then there should be no need to flush the engine. However, would it cause any issues if it were flushed with a cleaning agent?

Just use diesel spec engine oil, in the grade you prefer, it has a higher detergent spec than petrol engine oil. Then change back to petrol spec oil after the usual 6,000 mls. 166,000 miles and no engine problems at all ( that last comment is feckin fatal )

 

[PhaedrusMC]

Yep, resurrecting another old thread...

Got a small bit of water in my oil, did two oil changes very soon after (retaining old filter), ready to do full oil & filter change now.

Curious, I asked a knowledgeable friend if a flush would be appropriate. He reckoned it couldn't hurt, which I'd like to think would be the case, but never being a fan of snake oil, I asked the internet what I should do....

Now I've come to the experts on UKGSer to ask for the real truth.

I've already gone & bought a can of Wynn's (€6, so not bothered if the consensus is to not use it), but before I go ahead, what say ye?

70,000km, runs great, puff of white/grey smoke on maybe 3-4 startups after that couple of oil changes, but none after that. Sight glass is clear and reveals oil that looks like a pint of tea with less than a teaspoon of milk - not completely clear, but not cloudy. More like very slightly opaque. Nice & clean inside the filler cap after that couple of oil changes - no mayonnaise.

I love the idea of removing all deposits & gunk (snake oil anyone?), and all evidence of there ever having been any water in there, but I don't want to do a flush if there'd be no benefit, and certainly not if it would do any harm.

Also, what oil should I use...

 

[ross.]

Yep, resurrecting another old thread...

Got a small bit of water in my oil, did two oil changes very soon after (retaining old filter), ready to do full oil & filter change now.

Curious, I asked a knowledgeable friend if a flush would be appropriate. He reckoned it couldn't hurt, which I'd like to think would be the case, but never being a fan of snake oil, I asked the internet what I should do....

Now I've come to the experts on UKGSer to ask for the real truth.

I've already gone & bought a can of Wynn's (€6, so not bothered if the consensus is to not use it), but before I go ahead, what say ye?

70,000km, runs great, puff of white/grey smoke on maybe 3-4 startups after that couple of oil changes, but none after that. Sight glass is clear and reveals oil that looks like a pint of tea with less than a teaspoon of milk - not completely clear, but not cloudy. More like very slightly opaque. Nice & clean inside the filler cap after that couple of oil changes - no mayonnaise.

I love the idea of removing all deposits & gunk (snake oil anyone?), and all evidence of there ever having been any water in there, but I don't want to do a flush if there'd be no benefit, and certainly not if it would do any harm.

Also, what oil should I use...

my opinion for what its worth. i came off my TT600 in a deep river crossing in wales a few years ago had milky oil so ran a flush through with good result, no more milky oil so for me the flush was a good choice. the bike has run just the same since then with no adverse effects.
As for the my gs i am using a good quality 20/50 in fact its the same oil i use in my vw type 4 engine

 

[PhaedrusMC]

my opinion for what its worth. i came off my TT600 in a deep river crossing in wales a few years ago had milky oil so ran a flush through with good result, no more milky oil so for me the flush was a good choice. the bike has run just the same since then with no adverse effects.
As for the my gs i am using a good quality 20/50 in fact its the same oil i use in my vw type 4 engine

I was joking about the oil. I use 20/50 mineral, and intend to continue doing so.

I think I will do the flush, if only to feel like I cleaned everything out.

 

[ross.]

I was joking about the oil. I use 20/50 mineral, and intend to continue doing so.

I think I will do the flush, if only to feel like I cleaned everything out.

well you say joking about the oil but there a tons of posts on here about oil choice mineral, synthetic some say one is best some say the other does your head in sometimes when your trying to make a choice lol iam on the mineral thats my choice sticking with it

 

[Deleted account 220427001]

engine flush waste of time use good engine oil run it hot youwill be fine

 

[Tractors are go]

I've got some snake oil for sale; special offer, once in a life time, no guarantee implied or given.

 

[theoneandonly]

Just use diesel spec engine oil, in the grade you prefer, it has a higher detergent spec than petrol engine oil. Then change back to petrol spec oil after the usual 6,000 mls. 166,000 miles and no engine problems at all

i've done this on all the cars i have ever brought .

 

[Hay Ewe]

Tried it years ago on a MK1 Escort engine, and it became smoky and noisy afterwards.

I was told (although this is as valid as 'my mate down the pub said.....) that an engine flush will break down all the gummy seals, carbon build ups in things like piston rigs and potentially make things all loose and sloppy......or block up oil lines with carbon deposits that were sitting quite happily where they were.


If it ain't broke, don't fix it

this above

and this below

Just use diesel spec engine oil, in the grade you prefer, it has a higher detergent spec than petrol engine oil.

I have used diesel engine oil in my 1150GS since 2008 and no problems evident yet.
Diesel engine oil is generally also good for higher ambient temperatures - which I have here in Aus - but something you might want to consider if doing a tour of Europe in the northern summer