Is there anything to unclog oil? Options

[MeMoe]

I'm just wondering if there is any additive you can add that can clean the oil and unclog pipes.

I read in one of the threads that the celicas from 96 had a problem with oil clogging - any more info on that?

Thanks =)

[MeMoe]

Since there were no replies I assume you guys don't know, so I'll just share what I found with you.

I found this oil additive:
www.Auto-RX.com

I don't know anything about it yet, and if it is good, hope there is something like that in Aus.

There is also this site all bout oil:
www.bobistheoilguy.com

I'll be reading abit more there too.

Thanks again

[bccentaur3]

Theres something called engine flush. Clogging only occurs when you get sludge build up. If you neglect your car enough to get sludge, might as well start biking.

[UniqueGT4]

Amsoil can help clean up

[95CelicaST]

Seafoam. Have fun!

[MeMoe]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try find a related one in Australia.

Also found this which may be interesting.

In a related case, Toyota settled a class-action engine-sludge suit in 2007 that covered an estimated 2.5-million Toyota and Lexus vehicles made between 1997 and 2002. In that case, Toyota agreed to repair sludged engines for up to eight years from the time of purchase. While Toyota staunchly maintained that any such "oil-gel" problems are attributable to owners' abuse or poor maintenance habits it did set up a mechanism to reimburse complainants. The language of the settlement appears to include reimbursement to those people who may have already paid to have their sludge damage repaired.

Vehicles affected include:
Model year(s) Make/Model
1997-1999 Toyota Celica 4-cyl.
1997-2001 Toyota Camry 4-cyl.
1997-2002 Toyota Camry and Avalon V6
2001-2002 Toyota Highlander V6
1998-2002 Toyota Sienna V6
1999-2001 Toyota Solara 4-cyl.
1999-2002 Toyota Solara V6
1997-2002 Lexus ES300
1999-2002 Lexus RX300

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/ti...rview/index.htm

[presure2]

as long as you change your oil on a regular basis, you wont have a sludge problem.

[mkernz22]

not to hijack, but I have a '97 engine from my parts car. It's been sitting for about 3 months now and who knows how long it was sitting before I got it because it has Rejected since 2006. You think I should get an engine flush on that before or after I swap it in?

[presure2]

not to hijack, but I have a '97 engine from my parts car. It's been sitting for about 3 months now and who knows how long it was sitting before I got it because it has Rejected since 2006. You think I should get an engine flush on that before or after I swap it in?

pull the valve cover and have a look.

[bccentaur3]

yeah, Manny post the pic of the head on your 5s. iirc that was as clean as a whistle.

[presure2]

yeah, Manny post the pic of the head on your 5s. iirc that was as clean as a whistle.

yup.
art changed the oil regularly with mobil1, and i did as well, and never had even the slightest buildup of sludge

this is my 98 head, after ~100k miles. (50k of which were turbo'd, but that really dont matter for the purpose of this thread)

[MeMoe]

yeah, Manny post the pic of the head on your 5s. iirc that was as clean as a whistle.

yup.
art changed the oil regularly with mobil1, and i did as well, and never had even the slightest buildup of sludge

this is my 98 head, after ~100k miles. (50k of which were turbo'd, but that really dont matter for the purpose of this thread)

Wow looks really clean.
So that's just from using mobil1 oil?
If the engine already had dirt/sludge in it, does the mobil oil also clean it?

[bccentaur3]

You're misunderstanding the point here. Changing your oil regularly at a 3000 mile interval will PREVENT sludge build up. Changing it with a FULL-SYNTHETHIC oil will help out even more, MOBIL 1 for example, a full-synthethic which does a good job cleaning the engine. Now if sludge were already present only was is to do an engine flush.

[Hanyo]

you can run a quarter of dexron automatic transmission fluid through your engine right before an oil change.

This will break up any sludge.

However I strongly do not recommend using an engine flush on a gunked up engine. When you poor aggressive cleaning agents into your oil, you run the chance of dislodging a large piece of sludge that can clog a lifter/oil passage and the sludge can work its way into bearing tolerance and lastly completely clog an oil filter.

What I do recommend is to gradually clean your engine out with frequent engine oil changes. So far the best oil to use to clean your engine is Pennzoil Ultra.

also using synthetic oil and regular oil changes will keep your engine as clean as the day it was made.

[MeMoe]

Wow ATF in the engine, first time I hear of that, but Ill give it a try, I got litres of that lying around. I guess you have to do an oil change immediately after.

I've been using Shell helix oil, I guess its not synthetic, but I change it regurlarly.

Thanks again for the advice, Ill make sure after my next oil change I just use fully synthetic.

[hatchy_gt-s]

Wow ATF in the engine, first time I hear of that, but Ill give it a try, I got litres of that lying around. I guess you have to do an oil change immediately after.

I've been using Shell helix oil, I guess its not synthetic, but I change it regurlarly.

Thanks again for the advice, Ill make sure after my next oil change I just use fully synthetic.

ATF is a natural cleaning agent,(Why its used in trans.) but also still carries the same oiling characteristics as motor oil.

[zoik]

once i heard some time ago, of people using diesel instead of oil to clean oil circuit in car.
Dont ask if it works or not, i dont have the slightest idea and wouldn't try it myself

[Spider77]

I heard that running some kerosene through your engine will clean it up as well, or maybe some acetone (heard that too)....dont know cause Ive never really wanted to attempt this, but maybe one day when I have a spare engine and some fire extinguishers laying around I will....just for fun.

[Hanyo]

once i heard some time ago, of people using diesel instead of oil to clean oil circuit in car.
Dont ask if it works or not, i dont have the slightest idea and wouldn't try it myself

I heard that running some kerosene through your engine will clean it up as well, or maybe some acetone (heard that too)....dont know cause Ive never really wanted to attempt this, but maybe one day when I have a spare engine and some fire extinguishers laying around I will....just for fun.

be careful of using acetone or diesel fuel to clean out your engine. In concept it works but you run a high chance of doing more damage then good.

Diesel+ kerosene + acetone all can break down oil. They are great degreasers; however they will break down oil in a molecular level removing its lubrication properties. Its similar to pouring dish soap into your engine.

If you poor in a quart of ATF it will help clean your engine without running the risk of breaking down the oil. ATF has a viscosity of 5w. So when your flushing your engine its best not to run the engine for a long time or under a load.

As a mechanic I strongly discourage flushing engines. Synthetic oils have all the detergents needed to keep an engine clean. Why run the risk of thinning down your oil and causing extra wear. Changing your oil every 3k miles when its hot is the best engine flush you can do.