Can Pulling of VC and Cleaning it Grenade Engine

[HangerHarley]

Just wondering. I have heard tales of BITOGers pulling VCs and cleaning up Nastiness, even on engines they thought were Clean, and the engine Failed some time later. Havent heard of the same in Pulling an Oil Pan and wiping layer of Sludge off of it, however with VC area there is at least one poster that wishes they have left it alone.

Likewise, even on Oil Pan, my mechanic says "It is better to leave it alone unless it needs it."

Thoughts?

 

[Captain_Klink]

glue on an oil pan heater like Katz , then heat it on a regular basis, for four hours before starting your engine, and your oil pan will remarkably clean up.

 

[bullwinkle]

I would rather use a proven cleaner such as Auto RX, follow the instructions including the rinse phase, or even use a high detergent synthetic, such as Pennzoil Platinum or Ultra. I had a neglected Civic years ago that I basically did an in-frame rebuild on the engine, including rings, rod bearings, & head rebuild-the oil pan was so nasty that I actually sent it out to have it dip-cleaned, the junk just wouldn't come off!

 

[StevieC]

If an engine failed after cleaning gunk out from under a VC then it was going to happen anyways IMO.

I have torn down lots of engines and repaired things like Head Gaskets and bottom ends and have always cleaned out any gunk that was in there in the process with nothing but positive results.

If the valve cover has lots of gunk there is a good chance that the oil pan and pickup tube/screen is gunked up as well and the engine is somewhat starving for oil.

I wouldn't hesitate to drop the oil pan based on what I saw in the valve cover to make sure both areas were clean.

 

[rslifkin]

Or, at a minimum, if stuff was nasty up top, I'd put in some cheap oil with a good filter, dump in a pint of B12 or other heavy solvent, let it idle for 5 mins, dump the oil, change the filter, put in some more cheap oil with another good filter, drive it for an hour or so, and change the oil and filter again.

That should dissolve most junk out of the pickup screen at least.

 

[StevieC]

I would do that after your clean out what you can manually as releasing too much junk into the oil can clog up the oil system especially in newer systems with smaller oil passages.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
I would do that after your clean out what you can manually as releasing too much junk into the oil can clog up the oil system especially in newer systems with smaller oil passages.


+1

I ask because i have my car im going to be restoring and the engine is giving me too high for comfort Oil pressure readings and its either a failed Sender unit, or actual High Oil Pressure and the engine equivalent of High Cholestorol.

Now im all for the Oil Flush (I wouldnt use a Cheap Oil though, id use PP to help, a thinner grade if there IS Sludge all over in places we cant see, with MMO and SeaFoam during its hour drive, after a nice 5 minute Idling with a Motor Flush and heating up of that Oil Pan beforehand on a new filter, after putting a cleaned-up VC back on) and this should get Pressures back to Normal.

All this goes in my Knowledge Arsenal.

Now why dont some like Engine Flushes, like the Gunk bottle?

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
Now why dont some like Engine Flushes, like the Gunk bottle?

Because it's a solvent - basically just kerosene. Too harsh, too fast.

Personally I'd go the HDEO + MMO route. Get a 5 liter jug of Rotella T5, a liter of MMO & go to town. You're better off changing the filter & oil early & often with this combo than using seafoam, Berryman's B12 or a solvent flush.

 

[Quest]

It's really up to the service guy to decide/determine how bad the situation is, and then go from there.

In my case, if there's enough nasties on the top end (valve train, etc.) then one can be certain that other nooks and crannies are in questionable-state as well. I wouldn't hesitate to pull it apart and do proper cleaning/dunking/hot tanking to rid of the junk, instead of insisting/relying on the use of engine oil + stoddard solvent to dissolve the clumps/blocks/clogs within. The risk is far too great to ruin the bearings and the rest of the valuable components inside.

Q.

 

[wolfc70]

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I would do that after your clean out what you can manually as releasing too much junk into the oil can clog up the oil system especially in newer systems with smaller oil passages.


+1

I ask because i have my car im going to be restoring and the engine is giving me too high for comfort Oil pressure readings and its either a failed Sender unit, or actual High Oil Pressure and the engine equivalent of High Cholestorol.

Now im all for the Oil Flush (I wouldnt use a Cheap Oil though, id use PP to help, a thinner grade if there IS Sludge all over in places we cant see, with MMO and SeaFoam during its hour drive, after a nice 5 minute Idling with a Motor Flush and heating up of that Oil Pan beforehand on a new filter, after putting a cleaned-up VC back on) and this should get Pressures back to Normal.

All this goes in my Knowledge Arsenal.

Now why dont some like Engine Flushes, like the Gunk bottle?


I have pulled many a valve cover off to usually fix a leaking gasket. I have never hesitated to clean up while it is off.

Most engine flushes are harsh solvents, while it might immediately clean up a partially plugged up oil pick up screen, it can also dislodge larger chunks and cause other issues. Either tear the engine down and manually clean it, or use mild chemicals mixed with oil to slowly remove any build up.

Before you do anything drastic, hook up a known good mechanical oil pressure gauge. This way you know exactly what is going on. Most electronic sending units just give you an idea of what is going on. Never take a stock gauge as an absolute exact reading.

 

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley
Now im all for the Oil Flush (I wouldnt use a Cheap Oil though, id use PP to help,


Why would you use an expensive oil just to dump it 5 minutes later? In that short of time the oil is doing nothing as far as cleaning goes. That is why you use a cheap dino for a flush or better yet just use the oil oil that is already in their that you will be dumping anyways.