Engine Flush

[AlexGSi2000]

First of all - Happy Christmas & New Year!

Just wondering what your thoughts are on engine flush.

Basically - when I went out the other day to the car (I had driven it only 5 hours prior), I started it, after a second or two the top end became really "tappety" for a second or two - then disappeared.

Its a 1.8 20V T engine on 101k miles - I change the oil & filter every 5/6k and use Fuchs Titan Supersyn 5-40 from yourself.

I know the engine became tappety for a second or two due to the oil not getting round quick enough (it was -3c at the time)

But it made me wonder if I had any blocked oil jets / or if they could do with a clean.
I used engine flush in the engine when it was on 75k.

Just wanted to know what you think of them, as I have heard very mixed views.

Many thanks!
Alex.

[oilman]

Hi Alex

Hope you had a good Christmas.

I don't advise flushing the engine and flushing can be harmful. What can happen is the flush can loosen harmless deposits in the engine, but then not remove them. Your new oil goes in and after it gets warm and is flowing nicely, the bits which are loosened come off into the oil, so you end up with hard bits floating around in your oil - the last thing you want. If you really want to flush the oil system, the best thing you can do is drain out the oil that is in there, put in some basic oil and run the car for a little while (a hour or something like that) so the oil gets nice and warm. After running it, drain out the basic oil and put in the correct oil.

Cheers

Tim

[seatcupramad23]

Hi Alex

Hope you had a good Christmas.

I don't advise flushing the engine and flushing can be harmful. What can happen is the flush can loosen harmless deposits in the engine, but then not remove them. Your new oil goes in and after it gets warm and is flowing nicely, the bits which are loosened come off into the oil, so you end up with hard bits floating around in your oil - the last thing you want. If you really want to flush the oil system, the best thing you can do is drain out the oil that is in there, put in some basic oil and run the car for a little while (a hour or something like that) so the oil gets nice and warm. After running it, drain out the basic oil and put in the correct oil.

Cheers

Tim

wasn't aware off that, had the same issue with tappety engine , aa nationwide did a english flush and oil and filter change and cured it, i've heard you shouldn'y flush diesel engines for whatever reason but not petrol engines but i learn something new every day on here :)

[oilman]

Engine flushes can do the job and it all works out well, but it doesn't always work, so it's a case of weighing up the results vs the risk.

Cheers

Tim