Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-23-2004, 10:18 AM
MB, love..hate..love..
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB Canada
Posts: 1,173
Does engine oil flush additive destroy seals?

Copy of email sent today to Pennzoil:
"Sirs:
I purchased a container of your engine flush at WalMart last night. At the checkout, a guy commented that he put the exact same stuff in his Ford Bronco, and it 'ate every seal on the engine', 'had oil coming out of everywhere', etc. Alarmed, I searched the internet for any information on your product, and came up empty-handed (Google, 'Pennzoil engine flush'). It would seem that this is a very risky product to use, and I'm going to return it tonight. I thought that you should know that there are many other products out there that are endorsed by the manufacturer as well as the public, and that you might consider beefing up support for this stuff if it really works as the container states. After all, if Pennzoil doesn't actively support this product, what does that say to me?"
- I searched this forum for information on the effect of flush-additives on seals, and found very little. It seems that it is possible, but why? Is the corrosiveness that eats gum and varnish the culprit, also eating seals? Or does this happen only if you leave it in the engine too long, or have bad seals in the first place? Or could the extra volume increase oil pressure enough to push oil out through the seal?

__________________
1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-23-2004, 10:46 AM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,855
It makes sense to me. How does the product know to target the deposits and not the seals? Chemically, there's not a whole lot of difference between deposits and seals. If you soften one, you'll probably soften the other. Plus, some of the deposits can sometimes act as a seal. It's walking a thin line when you use mechanic-in-a-bottle products, and knowing how to use them without getting too aggressive with the product.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-23-2004, 11:19 AM
sdanville's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 315
want a cleaner engine ?

the safest way, according to
"Auto talk" is to put only 500 miles on your oil then change it. Do this a couple times.



regular oil has enough cleaner to do the job-
__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.
Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-23-2004, 11:43 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: South Eastern, MA
Posts: 1,743
You might also consider using a high end synthetic, as I understand they have additives which help clean the engine and keep it clean. Hope I didn't open up a can of worms with that suggestion.
__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-23-2004, 03:11 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,160
Quote:
Originally posted by placo1
Hope I didn't open up a can of worms with that suggestion.
placo1

You opened it, now eat them !!!!!
Fearfactor ?
__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-23-2004, 04:14 PM
Mike Murrell's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,580
Reminds me of a shampoo commercial I saw some years back. Forget the name of the product.

Their claim was that certain ingredients only went to certain areas of the scalp. Huh???

Kinda like blowin' Hoover Dam and sayin' only certain homes down stream will get flooded.
__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-25-2004, 08:45 PM
MB, love..hate..love..
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB Canada
Posts: 1,173
In the interests of being fair....

Pennzoil actually responded:

"Thank you for your e-mail inquiry. Pennzoil Concentrated Engine Flush will not have any adverse effect on engine seals and components. Our engine flush is oil based - not solvent or Kerosene base and is compatible with all engine oils.
Feel free to contact our Technical Services Group at 800-458-4998 if you have any further requests or questions."

Maybe the seals that leak after using this product were only sealing with a build-up of gunk that the flush dissolves?

__________________
1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page