Advice: do motor flush products work?

Jul 27th, 2003, 01:59 PM

I just picked up a 1990 Sentra recently, and the oil pain was cracked.. After sealing it and refilling oil, the oil is already filthy after less than 20 miles of driving. No knocking, but I am fairly worried about the state of grime inside (170k miles).

Has anyone here had experiences with these "motor flush" oil additives to dissolve out deposits while idling, then drainign five minutes after adding?

I've heard these solvents may do more harm by killing lubrication than leaving grimy oil and dirt deposits lodged in... I'm open to suggestions to clean this motor out, I *need* it clean before I consider using my small g turbo on the car (the reason i bought the car).

What products work better? Which are dangerous?

BeEleven · Jul 27th, 2003, 10:42 PM

You did change the filter right?? When you dropped the pan did you de-gunk it? Oil is mainly contained in the bottom of the crankcase, so if that's clean and you change the oil and filter every 3K miles, the problem should eventually go away.

sentrastud · Jul 27th, 2003, 11:13 PM

Some might work alright, look for good brands such as Penzoil, etc. Stay away for anythign that says "AS SEEN ON TV"... they dont work.

-Nick

blownb310 · Jul 28th, 2003, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeEleven
You did change the filter right?? When you dropped the pan did you de-gunk it?

***** I think he said he patched the leaky oil pan. So he never had it off. IMO you should have replaced the oil pan [I'm guessing it has a pinhole in it, right over the exhaust pipe, from rust- am I right?]. In any case, oil pan replacement is easy on a B12 and like BeEleven said, you will have cleaned out most of the engine's sludge while at it.
As far as oil flush products. I can't really say. I only used stuff like that when I was a teenager. Nowadays, it makes more sense to drop the pan and clean it out thoroughly. You'd be surprised at how clean the oil stays afterwards.

LittlebittaContact · Jul 29th, 2003, 04:26 PM

Based on your first question, If you change your oil like your supposed to, i dont see why you would need anything like that, over time oil changes will clean the engine.

Jul 29th, 2003, 09:11 PM

Well, I didn't take off the oil pan as I haven't found a cheap replacement yet... And yes, that rust spot was near the exhaust, but the previous owner obviously scraped/hit something which prompted the leaking.

The rust is bad around the interior of the engine bay, i"m honestly worried the pan bolts won't come off. Damn salty winters. I'll have to try as I don't want sludge going into the turbo oil...

thanks