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Engine Oil Flush


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My car has been serviced soon and the garage is suggesting an engine oil flush before the oil change. I seem to remember reading that flushing isn't really recommended on older cars, since it can do more harm than good. My car hasn't done huge mileage, it's only on 60,000 miles, but it is nearly 10 years old.

I am changing from whatever oil is in the car (semi-synth ? I don't know) to fully synthetic. Am I right in thinking that I should pass on the flush ?

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I thought that the argument was that an engine flush might get rid of deposits which are actually helping the engine out, and losing those could cause problems. But I might well be mis-remembering or misunderstanding.

I wonder if the garage has suggested this because it's a 100,000 mile service, though my car has only done 60K (which they don't realise).

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I thought that the argument was that an engine flush might get rid of deposits which are actually helping the engine out, and losing those could cause problems. But I might well be mis-remembering or misunderstanding.

I was under this impression as well. I thought it was only important to do an engine flush if your head gasket or something else has failed and your oil had emulsified.

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Rather than use engine flush, I would suggest getting a fairly cheapish oil (but must be of the correct grade/spec)

and just draining the current oil, replacing with the new oil and then going for a drive, then running down to the garage. It will clean out nigh on as much as the flush, but there is no chance of any engine flush traces being left

inside the engine to contaminate the clean new premium oil.

On the other hand I may well be talking complete codswallop but thanks to Kenmac for the tip :) as I do think

there is some sound reasoning behind it. Don't forget the oil can be budget such as a supermarket own brand,

but it must be of the correct grade/spec.

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Rather than use engine flush, I would suggest getting a fairly cheapish oil (but must be of the correct grade/spec)

and just draining the current oil, replacing with the new oil and then going for a drive, then running down to the garage. It will clean out nigh on as much as the flush, but there is no chance of any engine flush traces being left

inside the engine to contaminate the clean new premium oil.

On the other hand I may well be talking complete codswallop but thanks to Kenmac for the tip :) as I do think

there is some sound reasoning behind it. Don't forget the oil can be budget such as a supermarket own brand,

but it must be of the correct grade/spec.

i agree with above flush with cheap oil. engine flush is ok if you know for a fact your engine is 100% and to be honest toyota and lexus engines tend to run clean(hardly any carbon)so no need for engine flushes.

i had a bad one using a flush........i used a flush on my escort soft top now ran amazing no smoke on start up or when giving it the beans before using the flush.

after the flush it became smokey on start up and giving it the beans and also started burning oil.

all due to the carbon that was filling in all the wee cracks in the valve stem oil seals being removed by the flush and letting oil through.

so yes a flush can be good for your engine but it can also be bad for the engine!!

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when should you flush your engine?

if you are going to flush your engine it sould be done when doin the service ie.....pour the flush in run your car for 15mins switch off then drain the oil change the filter and fill back up with oil.

flush done.

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Thanks all, that confirms my suspicion about steering clear of an engine flush.

My last oil change wasn't ages ago and the oil isn't in a horrible state, so I don't have any reason to suspect that it needs a flush. I'll just go for the regular oil (and filter, of course) change.

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Thanks all, that confirms my suspicion about steering clear of an engine flush.

My last oil change wasn't ages ago and the oil isn't in a horrible state, so I don't have any reason to suspect that it needs a flush. I'll just go for the regular oil (and filter, of course) change.

if you change your oil regular you shouldnt need to flush it people.as the carbon doesnt have time to build up.

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I once read somewhere that most of the crap in the oil ends up in the sump and then can cause clogging of the oil strainer.

It was suggested to remove the sump pan and clean it out along with the strainer.

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