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[Big_Roger]

Hi All,
I have seen several comments in the last few days on the merits / hazzards of using oil flush.
They have generally been along the lines that using it can cause more problems than it solves. Just what problems have people found it causes, as you now have me worried!!

I have never used any flush before in 40 years, never had to, until I bought my Omega. I have never ever seen any engine with such filthy sludge and muck supposed to be oil. Don't know when it was last changed !
As reading on the bottle of flush, it was the answer to virtually every problem I gave it a go. It must have shifted something, as new oil is still nice and clean after 1000 miles.
Unless that is someone knows different ? What may I have done ?

Roger

[tunnie]

i was told never to use engine flush unless you engine has serious problems.

Nothing beats regualar changes of oil, if its really black, i suggest lots of oil changes, 1 every 500 miles for 2k.

Its just £8 for 5L of Vx Semi Syth.

[tunnie]

make sure the breathers are clean too, to really make it clear again, clean the breathers after every change with loads of carb cleaner.  

[Kevin Wood]

The theory is that it can dislodge muck from places in the engine where it was doing no harm and it then clogs oilways.

TBH, all oil entering the oilways is filtered so I doubt you have done any harm, especially on a relatively new engine.

Kevin

[Chopsdad]

Vx flushed my wife's Meriva last year to clean out mayo deposits.

It runs ok but does have a history of heartache.  I think the rule of thumb is that if you've done it once and it's ok, you can do it again if needed but Tunnie's advice of regular oil changes will do the trick.

[Big_Roger]

Thanks for the info folks, I have always been a regular oil change man, so I don't suppose I shall ever need to try flushing again, but thanks for the re assurance.

Roger

[Kevin Wood]

I suspect VX's 20k service intervals didn't help the condition of your oil. Even if it's followed to the letter that's much too long for oil to be in an engine. Keep the oil changes regular and it'll be a lot cleaner.

Kevin

[andyc]

Vauxhall's say than any engine AFTER 2004 should not be flushed. For 20 thou services use vauxhall's 5w30 super sythetic long life oil or if you change at 10 thou then 10w40 semi is ok. But anything from 2005 0nwards always use 5w30.

We used to do engine flushes on all engines but don't do it now

cheers
andy

[Craig_R]

Agree With Not Flushing I have been told it can lossen crap and block up stuff and make it worse, Saying that i had mine flushed when the oil pump knacked up.

What i would like to know is when you changing the oil every 500 miles for 2k do you change the oil filter every time also ?

[tunnie]

Agree With Not Flushing I have been told it can lossen crap and block up stuff and make it worse, Saying that i had mine flushed when the oil pump knacked up.

What i would like to know is when you changing the oil every 500 miles for 2k do you change the oil filter every time also ?

Yep!

That often holds a lot of the crud.... and at the end of the day its a doddle on 4pots and they cost £1 for a Vx oil filter!

[TheBoy]

Vauxhall's say than any engine AFTER 2004 should not be flushed. For 20 thou services use vauxhall's 5w30 super sythetic long life oil or if you change at 10 thou then 10w40 semi is ok. But anything from 2005 0nwards always use 5w30.

We used to do engine flushes on all engines but don't do it now

cheers
andy

i know thats the official line, but thats to apease fleet mgrs.  every 4 - 5k with semi is far better for engine....

[theowletman]

Tunnie is spot on, with a trade club card the oil is only £8 and a genuine filter £1.11p. A tenner to do an oil change every 2 or 3 weeks won't hurt the pocket, also make sure the car has a good motorway run to properly warm up and disperse the oil, short cold runs kill oil.