Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Engine Oil Power Flush

[Hanscome]

I went to local Dealer today for oil change, filter & lube and they recommended a engine oil power flush service every 30,000 miles. After the oil and oil filter has been removed, they connect a engine oil power flush machine to the oil filter port and a suction line to the oil pan outlet. Using a pulsating action, a specially formulated solution is circulated throughout the engine's lubricating system to dissolve varnish and backwash sludge deposits. The contaminants are extracted with a vacuum line connected to the oil pan drain. I have 82K on my 96 12 valve and always change oil at 3K or 3 months but do quite a bit of stop and go driving. Is this really necessary or is it overkill ?

Hal

 

[DMC]

I wouldn't do that. If you think it is necessary, do an oil change at 1000 miles. That would be a lot cheaper.



If you really want to keep your engine free of contaminated oil, look into a bypass oil filter arrangement. Many of these motors have seen 500k miles and higher on regular oil changes and dino oil.



Save your money to spend on the rest of the stuff that will fall apart long before your motor dies.



Good Luck



Don

 

[JGK]

Hanscome,



I asked the same question a few years ago after first joining TDR. I took the truck in to get a little warranty work done. The dealership suggested the same thing.



No one on the TDR recommended it. Sounds like a cash cow for the dealer and a potential hazzard to your engine.



Do as the other have suggested and save some cash.



-Jay

 

[Hanscome]

Thanks Don and Jay for the reply and advice. I Didn't think it was necessary and glad I didn't pay extra to have it done. Hal

 

[Ralph Wood]

The best thing to flush an engine with is clean oil. Using filters that don't clean oil then draining the oil after it gets dirty, wears and fouls the engine is just as rediculous but it has been going on so long that it is accepted.

I just started converting the Cummins Fleetguard LF-750 to use two rolls of Kleenex Viva papertowels and three rolls of Scott TP. The darned thing holds four gallons of oil. It should take a diesel pickup 30 thousand miles between filter changes with no oil drains. The LF-750 housing is their best filter but you don't see them much except on construction equipment. I was looking at a Fleetguard graph that shows a hugh reduction in wear with the stock LF-750-A element. Thirty percent less wear on upper conn rod bearing shell; 63 % less wear on lower conn rod bearing shell; 49% less wear on upper main bearing shell; 63% less wear on lower conn rod bearing shell; 49% less wear on upper main bearing shell; 64% less wear on lower main bearing shell. This is per SAE 710813 and 790089. No doubt this is on heavy duty diesels. Filters that clean oil have been abandoned on cars and pickups and most other diesel engines. the stock element uses recycled newspapters packed into a steel canister. I am partial to paper towels and TP. You would have to be innovative to install the big LF-750 up under the truck. It is 20" long and 10" wide at the lid clamp.

I was waiting at an oil change place for a safety sticker. They were making money big time on engine and transmission flushes. No wonder they don't recomend filters that clean oil. I guess they figure that filters that clean oil are for people that don't change the oil and flush the engine enough.



Ralph