Complete Oil flush and change

[ilya]

Does anyone know about doing a complete oil system flush? My local alignment/race shop now offers the service, but it's around $80 labor. They supposedly pump all the crap and dirty oil back into the pan somehow and clean out the system before putting the new oil in. Takes about an hour. I was considering it, but wanted to know if anyone has done this. Is it worth it every few oil changes?

Sorry, just realized this belongs in the tech forum.

[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 31 May 2002).]

 

[Zuerst]

Haven't done this in NSX before, but last month I took my truck to a local oil change place, and it did a complete engine oil flush for around $30, can't really feel the power change (the Ranger's only got like 100hp), but milage seems to be improved. But don't know if engine oil flush's same as oil flush...

 

[NSX2F1]

If they referred to the Bilstein flush, yes, it's worth it. I know that Weir Canyon Acura in Anaheim Hills charged me about $79 to do it. They will at the very least clean up your pan, and the system. If your car has a lot of dirts, you'll feel the difference.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

ilya,

"They supposedly pump all the crap and dirty oil back into the pan"???!!

That sounds strange to me. Do you mean they pump it out, then put some flush fluid in there and drain it before refilling with clean oil??

I know most of us are pretty anal about oil changes and most times my oil (3K changes) looks dark, but not like gunk when I change it. So, I am thinking for most of us, our engine internals are pretty clean, more so then our daily beaters, although I change the oil in my 1991 Accord every 3K also!!

Please. Please, Please let's not turn this thread into a debate about oil change intervals, it's not where I am going.

The other thing about this idea, that is not necessarily good, is if you have an older, kind of gunked up engine, and you "flush" it, you may end up with some loose crap in the pan, and you could be creating a problem you never had.

I relate this to folks that have used products to clean their fuel injectors, then end up with a clogged fuel filter, since all the crap came off the inside of the gas tank and ended up in the fuel filter.

I recommend you change your oil often enough that you keep your engine internals relatively clean. No need for the "flush".

Only my humble opinion

LarryB

 

[lemansnsx]

Originally posted by ilya:
Does anyone know about doing a complete oil system flush?

I tend to agree with Larry: that most of us use high quality oils and change them frequently enough that sludge shouldn't be an issue. I've had daily drivers with well over 100K on them with engine internals clean as a whistle. Having said that, I did have a flush done on a daily driver to try to remove *heavy* sludge from the cam box - I don't know what the bottom end looked like but the top was horrible. I don't know what oil had been used or if it had ever been changed... The flush helped - but one treatment was not enough to completely resolve the sludge and sticking rings. I think you need to know whose treatment (machine) is being used and then check out the web for reviews. If it is Bilstein or similar I'd be ok with it. Some of the ones I've seen on the web seem to be nothing but profit-generators for the shops who use them.

Edited to correct stupid typing errors!
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Andrew Henderson
The NSX Model List Page

"We have long acknowledged that enthusiasm for things automotive is a sure
sign of emotional instability if not outright dementia" - Brock Yates

[This message has been edited by lemansnsx (edited 31 May 2002).]

 

[ilya]

Just got back from the shop. It was the Bilstein machine and cost me $80. It had two hoses, one going into the pan and another where the filter screws in. It pumped all the crap out and also runs some sort of cleaner through the motor. After seeing all the extra garbage that came out of there I was glad I did this. I use synthetic only (usually Redline) and change every 3000 miles. Regardless, the oil has always come out quite dirty. After this flush, we checked the level and the oil is so clear you can barely see it.
I can give you guys an update on the color of the oil when I change it in 3000 miles.

[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 31 May 2002).]

 

[Jimbo]

http://www.motorlife.com/

Interesting.

Jim

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1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
Looking for 76-79 Honda Accords

[This message has been edited by Jimbo (edited 31 May 2002).]