Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone uses engine flushes before oil changes? I usually use a Pennzoil Engine Flush Product. For those that don't know what it is, you simply add it to you're old oil and let the car sit ideling for 10-15 minutes, after which you begin you're oil change and watch the oil come flying out ....usually pretty dark. I've gotton alot of different opinions on it over the last year or so, and wish to know what you guys think about it...

I started using the product after my car's engine felt as if it was being over worked. A mechanic told me to start using it before all my oil changes as it would help flush out any sludge I have built up in my car and help keep it from returning. True Enough after my second engine flush then oil change, my car began to drive like it had turned young again and i actually noticed my fuel economy get noticbly better....

But at the same time some mechanics have told me they would never use the product for various reason, some of which are listed below.

- The product thins the oil out and does not completly drain out during the oil change. It eventually thins out the new oil pre-maturly which prevents the new oil from protecting you're engine during that oil interval. The pre-mature oil break down can last for couple oil changes after the intial flush.

- Another concern a mechanic has brought up with me is the fact this product apparently contains diesel. He told me that I am simply adding diesel to oil and thinning it out and cleaning the engine like a paint cleaner to paint. He told me its never a good idea to add or have traces of a diesel fuel as an additive to oil and let it sit their running for 15 minutes. He told me I am not only cleaning my engine, but the diesel will damage the smaller components inside the engine that the oil is trying to protect and keep lubed....

So what do you guys think of this product? I use it every second oil change, does anyone else use it, and what is the truth about this product? All these companies are pissing me off, they sell a product yet besides simple instructions...offer very little other details.

thanks guys.

A ture "car" person should NEVER need that STUFF! If you change the oil it doesn't need flushed...& as Larry says..."change it HOT & often"

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Well, in some cases when cars have come in absolutely Caked w/ gunk I'll run a quart of Risolene in the crank case for a couple of hundred miles... does a good job getting the cleaning process started.. I'll follow that up w/ Rotella or Delo 15/40 oil changed ever 2500 or so miles.. Over the period of a year w/ average mileage the internals will look markedly better!

Jonathan

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Jonathan Hodgman
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Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
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Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
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I just use DELO 15W40 from Wal-Mart, it has excellent soot dispersion and detergent properties. In fact, I developed a few small oil seeps and started burning oil from the valve seals in my 300E afer a few oil changes with this oil, which tells me it has cleared some solids. Yet it is gentle compared to aggressive engine flushes.

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97 W210 E320
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75 W114 280

Guess you missed the thread a couple weeks ago that linked to
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Mechanics_Tale/Mechanics_Tale_The_Flushing_of_America.S281.A10297.html

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Not to highjack the thread, but need to clear up what seems to me to be a mis-statement in that article. Flint says that brake fluid flushes were dreamed up by Honda, and suggests they are unnecessary. MB has recommended every-2-year flushing for many years now.

I also take issue with his remark about brake fluid being in a sealed environment. What happens when the fluid level in the reservoir drops due to normal wear of brake pads? The compensating air in the reservoir has to come from somewhere. That air will come with moisture, which in turn gets absorbed by the brake fluid.

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Steve
'93 400E