Cleaning the INSIDE of an older engine.

[HistoricMustang]

Anyone ever tried this method to help clean up the valve train?

Found this solution while doing the surf thing:

The loss of power would make me think that the problem is most likely in the valve train. I guess the first thing I would do is try cleaning the inside of the engine somewhat. To do this, drain the oil and remove the oil filter. Then refill it with oil, replacing one quart of oil with one quart of transmission fluid. Install a new filter and drive it for about 1,000 miles. Then do it again. If you notice an improvement, then you know it's getting clean and things are moving the way they're supposed to again. If not, then you have a mechanical problem.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[Shakin66]

Is it possible to pull in the intake to inspect? If you see problems then you'd be right there to get right to work?

 

[66HertzClone]

That method works pretty well and there is minimal risk to bearings since ATF is prettymuch a 5w15 oil with a different additive package. I'm not sure I would leave it in for 1000 miles, I would be concerned about the effect on the overall viscosity of the oil with the ATF added. Only if it did not include any high speed driving, but a few hundred would seem OK.

 

[danny clemens]

I know a man that put kerosene in his vehicle and let it run a few minutes. This has been more than 20 years ago. He said that it cleaned the whole system out. I'd be afraid that it would clean things up too much and leave the engine without enough lubrication.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

If you're worried about viscosity, I've seen Valvoline racing oil at Autozone available in single weights from 30 to 60. I've used a quart of 60 with 4 quarts of 10w-30 in the summer to keep pressure up. Now I just use 15W-40.

As far as needing to use a high detergent oil(ATF) to clean valvetrain, I would be more concerned about the wear on the engine after being run long enough to warrant getting the sludge out.

 

[iamlance]

I'd be concerned about the loosened sludge clogging the oil pump pickup.

 

[10secgoal]

Yeah, it's all the detergent they use in tranny fuild. I add a little to my radiator for my water pump.

 

[rbohm]

what was recomended to me by an old time mechanic is this;

1: drain oil, replace filter, and refill using 4qt diesel fuel and 1qt of straight 30wt oil.

2: run engine at idle for 20min.

3: drain oil replace filter, and refill with your favorite oil.

he has done it many times with no problems, i have yet to try it.

 

[jerry S]

there is a special product/service available at some oil change places that drains your oil and then injects a very hot cleaning solution/lubricant. They run the motor for 5 mins or so and then drain everything out. Think of it as like a colonic irrigation for your engine. I cannot recall the name but I will search for it and get back to you if I find it.

 

[66moneypit]

BG Engine Flushes are offered to help clean out the engine. From what I have seen they are pretty effective but I haven't checked to see if they are offered on carbed cars. www.bgfindashop.com

Their BG 44K product also works well on cleaning fuel injection cars but I have never tried it in a carbed car. I had trouble passing an emissions test and ran that in the tank and it helped clear up the problem.

 

[jerry S]

found it

http://www.autoprofit.com/flushdemo.htm

 

[glastang]

I use a quart of risolone works great and quiets noisy lifers too.

 

[zookeeper]

I'd be concerned about the loosened sludge clogging the oil pump pickup.

That's a very real problem. When you've got a buildup of sludge in your motor, whether it's under the valve covers, or the lifter vally or wherever, it's not going anywhere so it's not hurting anything. After all, the important parts are the contact points and moving surfaces like rocker arm-to-pushrod, cam and crank bearings and both ends of the rods. They are usually clean, if they weren't the engine would fail or at least knock. But when you start disturbing a glop of old sludge, you can't really be sure where it's going to wind up. My Dad just had a severe problem with that, a small chunk of buildup made it's way into the oil pump of the 289 in his Model A, which stopped the pump, and caused the oil pump drive shaft to twist off. Since the motor was at freeway speeds (2400rpm), and it went unnoticed for until the noise started, the motor welded itself into one solid chunk. Same thing could happen by trying to clean an old, sludged-up motor. I vote for letting sleeping dogs lie and allowing the old motor to live out it's golden years in peace. After all, if the buildup is that bad, I'm guessing it's not a new motor.

 

[mustangdave]

I, too have lost an engine running a "cleaner" through it. The sludge wound up in the oil pump and a few knocks and bangs later, it locked up. That being said, if you are going to try something, the link above looks like a good way to go. It appears it is backflushing the oil pump at the same time it is cleaning the engine and the gunk is being sucked out of the oil pan drain plug hole continuously. I have to wonder though; if a detergent is strong enough to loosen and dissolve that gunk, what kind of damage is it doing to your seals, gaskets, etc...?