Any opinions on what to use for a somewhat gentle engine flush? Bought this volvo from a friend and while they kept up with regular maintenance, I'm suspicious this thing saw conventional 5w30 most of it's life. It's burning a fair amount of oil and a quick peek inside the oil cap shows some crud and varnish. I know people have ruined engines doing too aggressive of a flush, clogging the oil pickup so I wanted to consult the bitog experts first. My first thought was to use about a half a bottle of MMO right before an oil change, drive 10 miles then OCI but maybe there are better products/methods. Maybe just starting to use full syn oils will start the cleanup process? I also considered running some T6 5w40 with a lesser amount of MMO right from the get go for the full duration of the OCI.
What should I use for engine flush?
- Thread starter jayjr1105
- Start date
Sounds like your Volvo is a good Candidate for Valvoline Restore and Protect.
If you're referring to the 2012 XC60 in your signature, you have a "low-tension piston ring engine".
It's too bad they didn't use the right stuff throughout.
If your engine is running OK, many here will advise the "slow and easy" route by suggesting just running an oil known to clean.
I believe a Mobil1 5W-30 fits that bill.
It's too bad they didn't use the right stuff throughout.
If your engine is running OK, many here will advise the "slow and easy" route by suggesting just running an oil known to clean.
I believe a Mobil1 5W-30 fits that bill.
I'm stocked up pretty well on Kirkland Full Syn 5w30 when it was on sale. Any additive that is safer to add for the full duration of an OCI?
If the engine actually needs cleaning, I'd try Rislone Maximum Performance Engine Treatment and follow the directions. Having said that Valvoline Restore and Protect would be my first pick now.
Rislone
Safe flushes would be Amsoil, Gumout Multitune, Lubegard White Bottle, BG EPR or @TiGeo favourite the Liquimoly Engine Flush.
Safer alternatives include the EC30 by @High Performance Lubricants
I would try to do a fuel system cleaner and throttle body cleaning prior about 100 miles prior.
Safer alternatives include the EC30 by @High Performance Lubricants
I would try to do a fuel system cleaner and throttle body cleaning prior about 100 miles prior.
Thanks, so this stuff basically turns regular oil into high mileage oil but with a little more cleaning power?
Does not affect the viscosity
The engine treatment is designed to be compatible with all types of motor oils, and it does not affect the viscosity or performance of the oil.
Rislone Engine Treatment Review | Is Rislone Good Or Bad?
jayjr1105, you do not need to worry about Rislone affecting your Oil Viscosity, as far as cleaning, I have no clue since I have not used the product.
It's good stuff, uses esters to clean. It will slow consumption gradually and for about $7bucks it won't breaker the bank to use for a while. I would also recommend Gumout Multisystem Tune Up and run it for the whole oci. You can also try a piston soak for more immediate results.
And as with a Volvo, make sure pcv system is not plugged up.
I don't want to be that guy but the Rislone Review article appears to be completely AI generated.
Do the glove test to see if it us plugged and go from there.
What is "a fair amount"? Data. Numbers please.
"One quart per 1000 miles" or like that.
HPL engine cleaner or NOTHING and just shorten your OCIs.
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I would clean it with HPL EC. Seriously. I would not use solvent, and I would not go with HPL oil, just yet. Run it for a bit with the EC. If you want to use something like Liquimoly engine flush, sure. But shorten up your intervals, because I suspect there will be some carbon in your engine. The architecture on a 2012 is the same as on mine - it’s a “white block” and they’re prone to carbon build up.
I would also consider replacing the PCV system - how is the oil consumption?
Here is a Volvo block, looking up, oil sump off, after a lifetime of 5,000 mile changes on conventional oil. Not pretty. I cleaned it mechanically, that is, gently removing the carbon by hand, with a bronze brush, and it has been running on HPL. Oil consumption is very low - so, rings are good. This is the XC90, with 249,000 on it now. The oil filter on the last 5,000 mile run had much less carbon trapped than it did on the firs couple of short runs.
Sorry for the crappy iPhone contrast with the flash, but look closely - carbon everywhere. The circled close-up is the PCV passage, you can see that it was nearly plugged.
I would also consider replacing the PCV system - how is the oil consumption?
Here is a Volvo block, looking up, oil sump off, after a lifetime of 5,000 mile changes on conventional oil. Not pretty. I cleaned it mechanically, that is, gently removing the carbon by hand, with a bronze brush, and it has been running on HPL. Oil consumption is very low - so, rings are good. This is the XC90, with 249,000 on it now. The oil filter on the last 5,000 mile run had much less carbon trapped than it did on the firs couple of short runs.
Sorry for the crappy iPhone contrast with the flash, but look closely - carbon everywhere. The circled close-up is the PCV passage, you can see that it was nearly plugged.
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