Can Engine flush ruin seals?

[Dominik]

My mechanic told me that the flushes like Gunk, STP etc all contain mostle Kerosene and can damage engine seals. He says Diesel fuel may be better trhan those flushes

Any Ideas?
I know there is the AutoRx but I would wanna try something low cost, the engine has been looked after so there should not be potential for flush loosening a big chunk of dirt.
Plus getting AutoRx shipped here cost almost as much as the product itself, so I ain't doing it.
I have used Gunk before but I always use it with fresh 20W-50 or 10W-40 oil - dont want to thin the oil too much - and it comes out black.
Do you see any harm doing this?
Have you guys used flushes in Nissan engines?

 

[nicholas]

I have done 500-600ml's of mineral spirits for 4 quarts of clean 20w-50 oil for 5-10 minutes, once every 1.5-2 years in all the cars I have had, 6-cars..... with no seal problems what so ever.....

I find it is good way to clean the oil passages,

every time the oil always drains black,

most people on this site are partial to auto RX,
bust customs charges from the US are a rip off...

 

[unDummy]

Dirty diesel fuel better then flushes? I doubt it.
At least use kerosene or biodiesel which would be more cost effective then store bought quickee flushes.

No problems with flushes in my Nissan engines.
And, you don't need to use 'fresh oil' with it. Just toss a quart in the COLD engine prior to an oil change and run it for 5-10 minutes.
If the oil is cold, it won't thin out too much and the flush will be complete before it warms up.

 

[Curious Kid]

Good point concerning oil viscosity unDummy. This fact may be a short (probably fruitless) way of testing whether a thicker viscosity may help with engine noises, etc. - listen as the engine goes through warm-up. Of course this observation doesn't account for true operating clearences between parts be it that they have yet to reach such temperatures and under gone thermal expansion.

More "arm chair" theory I guess.

 

[Frank]

Auto-Rx is inexpensive to ship to Canada we ship USPS Global EMS (by pass customs) go to the website
and check order page on shipping to Canada.Auto-Rx is NOT a flush, it is a metal cleaner. Before you put anything in your engine go to www.auto-rx.com and read the FAQ

 

[kevz]

I have tired using a half quart of MMO in my engine about 500 miles/1 week before a oil change. That should clean up some stuff and the oil did appear to be much darker.

I think seafoam would work also...but i think it's stronger than MMO so i would only use 1/3 of a can.

 

[Quest]

Personally, I would not resort to using ATF or mineral spirits (paint thinner) to flush engine, no matter what ratio you propose to me.

I used paint thinner with scrub brush to manually clean cylinder heads for years (engine dismantled of course) and frankly, none of the sealing elastomers used in engine like to see the presence of paint thinners or 10-min flush swelling happens in 30 mins and becomes very obvious in an hour (lip becomes deformed).

That explains the reason why Frank's AutoRx appeals to me: no polymer-swelling solvents to deal with, just oil carrier + ester mixtures.

I know of many mechanics sweared by the use from kerosene (I have 2 gals here for emergency purpose, wanna try?) to paint thinner to 10-min flush. Frankly, I do not trust them (I watch my engine bearings and cylinder walls closely for any mishaps).

 

[Frank]

That explains the reason why Frank's AutoRx appeals to me: no polymer-swelling solvents to deal with, just oil carrier + ester mixtures.

Possibly the best explanation in the least words ever. Thank You

 

[T-Keith]

I tried some GM TEC which contains mineral spirits, Naptha and I believe kerosene to clean a carboned lower intake and it did squat.

-T

 

[Alan]

I used dunk engine flush with no negative effects at all.

 

[daemonite]

i've used gunk on a 161k mile camry 4 cyl...

worked fine for me, ran it for 10 minutes and flushed it out.

 

[Dr. T]

I'm not sure about using it at every oil change as advertised on the bottle as being completely safe, but once or twice should not harm a thing.