OTC "Engine Flush" for 2000 5.3 w/ only 38k miles

[Islandvic]

2000 Silverado 5.3 2wd with 5.3 & 38500 miles.

Oil changed every year with no more than 6000 miles per OCI.

First two oil changes dino, the rest have been syn.

The 5.3 is now 10 years old. No mechanical problems. Minimal CSK (M1 make it worse when I used it).

Due to the 1 year OCI, short trips, and low miles per year, I am worried that oil could be sludging or "gumming" up in the engine because it is not driven often.


Your thoughts on OTC "oil flush" products. Auto-RX is not a solution because of the need for dino and the need for many miles to be driven to make it work, it would take 2-4 years for the full cleaning cycle!

Your thoughts on OTC flushes from Seafoam, MMO, Gunk, Amsoil etc etc.

I plan on changing the oil this week (Pennzoil Platinum 5-30 w/ ACDelco filter)

Thanks

 

[StevieC]

Honestly with your use of synthetic I'm confident that your engine is clean inside and I wouldn't use anything. Especially not these "Quick" flush products which seem to do more harm than good and can cause damage to seals in some cases because they are so abrupt.

Time isn't the enemy it's over-extended OCI's with products couldn't stand the test of time or a lack of overall vehicle maintenance that causes sludge to form in 99% of the cases.

If you absolutely want to run something, run Pennzoil Platinum or Ultra and substitute a quart of MMO for a quart of oil.

Run that for no more than 4-5K Miles and then dump it.

Use a quality filter like PureOne.

Drive happy!

 

[Johnny]

Go ahead and change with the PP as planned, but do not put anything in it. Your Silverado is probably just fine.

 

[ZZman]

I think you are fine and there is no need.

But If it drives you crazy then do a run with Marvel Mystery oil in it.

 

[Steve S]

Pull off a valve cover and take a peak.

 

[dparm]

I am a huge proponent of "if it ain't broke don't fix it." You've been doing something right during the last 10 years.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Honestly with your use of synthetic I'm confident that your engine is clean inside and I wouldn't use anything. Especially not these "Quick" flush products which seem to do more harm than good and can cause damage to seals in some cases because they are so abrupt.

Time isn't the enemy it's over-extended OCI's with products couldn't stand the test of time or a lack of overall vehicle maintenance that causes sludge to form in 99% of the cases.

If you absolutely want to run something, run Pennzoil Platinum or Ultra and substitute a quart of MMO for a quart of oil.

Run that for no more than 4-5K Miles and then dump it.

Use a quality filter like PureOne.

Drive happy!

I agree for the most part. The wildcard here is since you really can't see what is going on inside the engine w/o opening it up I'd run a qt of MMO for 4-5,000 miles. If anything is going on it will clean it up, if nothing is going on it isn't going to harm anything. My only suggestion would be if you plan on running a full qt and have any reservations about using it, do it during the winter OCI. I've used it at one time or another during all 4 seasons, but tell first time users with any doubt to do it during the colder months. JMO