Engine lube system flush?

[JGK]

Sorry for posting an engine-related question, but it just fit best here.



My truck went in this morning for it's second axle seal replacement, fuel tank sending unit replacement, and they discovered the pinion seal needed replacing - all under the extended warranty



However, they called and said it was due for an engine flush (57K miles). Said they tend to get a build-up of gunk inside and they have the means to flush the system and would do an oil change. Quoted about $150 for the job with oil change. I'm running synthetics, so I declined for now.



Never heard of that discussed here. Anyone else had it done or heard of it?



They wanted to clean out the diff's and replace the lube for about $100 each and I declined that too. But it gives me a reason to get a Mag Hytec!



TIA,

Jay

 

[Bob Wagner]

just another way

to get into your pockets

 

[DennyDay]

Engine Flush? No way

There is no way in hell anyone is going to put a kereo/naptha based solvent in my crankcase. All it will do is wash the cylinder walls and cause un-necessary wear --- Oh, and make bucks for the shop. Tell 'em this ain't your first rodeo, and find somebody else for the hoo-doo game.

Denny

 

[JGK]

Denny,



After I submitted my post, I got to thinking about this. Other than flushing a compatible lubricant through at high pressure, your approach was about the only thing I could think of. And I agree with you entirely! So, how is it you know what this involves?



Also, if this is a bad thing, how does Dodge get away with it? Maybe the resultant (potential) failure doesn't typically show up 'till after the warranty expires.



In any case, after thinking about it, I'll pass.



Jay

 

[Sled Puller]

Crooks!

 

[Ron Bissett]

First its B. S second any build up would be only caused by not changing oil on a regular maint scedual . Any flush can be had by filling with new oil running eng till temp is warm not to hot to handle plug, drain change filter one more time ,thats it and only cost a few dollars more . But I think its a waist of time. Our Rams seem to keep the oil clean without any assistance of any thing more than frequent oil change , your choise , any flushing with any type solvent will cause trouble later on down the line. Ron in Louisville Ky

 

[merryman]

I flush my engine every oil change!!!



I allways change after a trip to town (55 miles one way). When I get home, I pull right into the shop, slide the dump pan under , grab a wrench, some gloves and let er drain----------burns my fingers pretty good, but figure that hot oil comming out after a highway trip has got to do something towards flushing out "gunk" if there is any there.



Vaughn

 

[Doc Tinker]

Whewww - for a minute there, I though merryman changed his oil every time he made a trip to town, took me a minute to understand that he did it after the trip to make the oil hot. I always change my oil when hot too



Doc

 

[David Oxland]

Sure sounds like Bunk. If you take a peek in the rocker cover you'll get an idea of what kind of materials have deposited. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how clean things are looking. Todays oils with detergents and dispersants are meant to keep stuff moving right out the drain hole are doing a good job.

 

[JMoglia]

Howdy all , you know just when I thought i've heard it all something like this comes along , more B-S from the dealers , one thing maybe true ,if it has been serviced by the dealer then it has that crap oil & that additive in it. but if it is dirty enough to need flushing, the first thing I would do is get the finger drain plug from Genos, it is by far the best way to insure that you will change oil regulary it is so easy,and you won't get even one drop on your hand, the second thing I would do is to get some Dello 400 15/40 it is really good. the next thing is to get a few filters,the dealer usually will cut a deal if you buy 3 or more, change the oil and filter [no additive with dello] change again in about 1,000 miles. well thats just my opion. good luck

Joe Moglia

 

[DieselB59]

bull sh**

A former Snap On salesman once tried to sell us an engine flush machine to get all the contaminants from the engine. If you really wish to do so, just pour a quart of fresh oil through the crankcase while the drain plug is out. It will flush anything that remains from the pan. (Or see a mechanic that hasn't recovered from a rough weekend first thing monday morning and he'll do it automatically for you) LOL! Really, there is no need to do either of the above.

 

[dmurdock]

NEVER, EVER FLUSH AN ENGINE

I've personally known of 2 engines (gassers) that had to be torn apart because they were "flushed". Think about it, if your engine is "full o gunk", do you want to loosen it all and have it flowing around the engine, knowing that there is NO WAY that all of it will get out??? The results I've seen from flushing (2 cars mentioned above) are: 5 clogged hyd lifters, 1 clogged pushrod, 1 semi-clogged main bearing oil galley.



If you must flush your engine, remove it from the vehicle, take it apart, clean it piece by piece, then put it together and then back in the truck.



Sorry, but I've seen firsthand what that crap does to an engine, especially a high-mileage one... it's the kiss of death.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

JGK: I don't think this is something "Dodge" is doing, just Sundance. I've seen their pamphlets "highly recommending" this for about 4 years now.

 

[CCBrady]

SHOOT1SAM

I think that Dodge does back this engine flush, and trannny, and cooling. I have seen it offered at the dealers in Oak Harbor and Mt Vernon, Wa. . With all of the high tech filter systems and oils out there, who needs to spend an extra $150+?

 

[JGK]

Wow! I haven't looked at this thread all weekend. Seems like I touched a good subject!



Obviously, my gut hunch was the right one. I do have Geno's one-touch drain valve installed. I don't normally drain when hot, just warm. I'll start doing hot drains and consider it flushed. I figured if this was a standard procedure I would have heard about it long before now, and not just with the Cummins.



Dealers... Ya gotta watch 'em every minute.



Thanks all.

Jay

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

CCBrady: I think the key word is "dealers". Obviously , if this is just a money maker, not something necessary, many dealers might offer this "service". I would be surprised to discover that it was something Dodge-Daimler/Chrysler would endorse or recommend, for precisely the reasons listed by the others above.

 

[DennyDay]

Flushed!

Jay -- Sorry for the slow response, been on the road again - - - To answer your question, I was in Pep Boys, looking for a solvent for another project, (Sunday, everything else closed) and picked up a can and looked at contents, then did a sniff test, 'Nuff said?

If yoy use a good oil, follow the Cummins/Dodge guidelines and change your oil hot, you don't need to worry about a build up of gunk.

Denny

 

[CumminsPuller]

Well isn't this the same type of stuff Amsoil sells/recomends doing when you switch from petroleum to synthetic... ... I know I ran their engine flush through my CTD when i was switching to synthetic.