internal engine flushing

[Durango]

Hello to all, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!!!! I saw at my mechanic that they offer "Bilstein" engine flushing system and was wondering exactly what this does??? Is this a good thing to do ever so often??? Durango

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: Durango

Hello to all, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!!!! I saw at my mechanic that they offer "Bilstein" engine flushing system and was wondering exactly what this does??? Is this a good thing to do ever so often??? Durango

1) NO, 2. DONT DO IT!!!, 3) I lost an engine this way. FWIW, i once really looked forward to getting a "Bilstein R-2000 Engine Flush." And i eventually did. What happened was that, months later, my engine failed.. in the most remarkable manner. I traced the deterioration back to shortly after the engine flush. It did upset the engine's internal chemistry, moved some sludge around, had some solvents lodge and cause an issue in the wrong spot which led to failure of a cylinder, and from there i had milkshake oil a few times and guess what, it was all because of the flush. True story. Let the oil clean out your engine, and Seafoam it if you must!!!!

 

[Radman]

Engine Flushing is great on a clean engine. Flushing a sludged engine can result in a plugged oil pick up and engine failure. My remedy for a sludged engine is 3K OCI's and extra oil filter changes at 1.5K. Not flashy but after awhile the engine will be cleaner and best of all the lubrication system will still be flowing.

 

[rshaw125]

A slow gentle clean is preferred. Like using PP changed every 5000 miles.

 

[OVERKILL]

Use a good oil changed at a reasonable interval and leave the flushing for the toilet.

 

[45ACP]

+1 the above three posts, it sure caused lube failure in my engine because "The sludge you cant see goes straight to the oil pick up screen," yup. Having lost an engine, i can tell you that these things arent wive's tales.

 

[Lead Shoes]

I did several short OCI's on my honda with PYB and MMO before I used seafoam twice, then amsoil engine flush once, and it still runs. I cut open all of the oil filters, and by the time I did the engine flush there was almost no sludge on the filter.

 

[dparm]

AFAIK no auto manufacturer lists engine flushes as part of the regular maintenance schedule. Or, in other words, no manufacturer deems it necessary. Ever.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Originally Posted By: dparm

AFAIK no auto manufacturer lists engine flushes as part of the regular maintenance schedule. Or, in other words, no manufacturer deems it necessary. Ever.

Just because it has not been listed as part of the maintenance schedule doesn't mean an engine cannot benefit from it, until the creation of DI engines, injector/valve cleaner was never listed as maintenance, and plenty of cars benefit from that.

 

[OldCowboy]

The only thing that will be flushed is your wallet.

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: OldCowboy

The only thing that will be flushed is your wallet.

Especially when you need to buy a new engine. Others here have it right. A SLOW, GENTLE CLEANING, USING HDEO oils like Shell Rotella or similar is the best way to go. DO NOT USE AN ENGINE FLUSH PRODUCT!

 

[Durango]

Hi guys, For now I'll pass cuz I don't know how much the mechanic would charge me if I decided to do. I had htought the Bilstein System would be good but I guess it's 50/50. Durango

 

[Donald]

Durango - did you see the sludge in the engine with the valve cover off? Was there a lot or a little? Crusted or gooey? A clean engine will have staining, but that is not sludge. I am in agreement, forget any flush. Synthetic oil cleans best as it has the best additive package. Auto-Rx or Kreen can also be considered. I think your mechanic just bought an engine flush machine and is now trying to cover the cost. Is the name the same company that makes the best shocks available?