Flushing the engine

[Khare]

It's not about protecting it's about flushing, it's in the name 

I wouldn't use the ATF method myself, but some people swear by it, others don't.

[AudiA8Quattro]

It's not about protecting it's about flushing, it's in the name

 

I wouldn't use the ATF method myself, but some people swear by it, others don't.

Each to their own.
An engine can run for quite a while without oil at all, if its not under load.
Once under load, the problems really start. I wouldn't be happy.

[Khare]

I think when it says run for 1000kms (about 600 miles) it means in normal driving conditions, I wouldn't dream of redlining it with ATF in the sump 

I do always use an engine flush though, usually wynn's oil flush which is 15 minutes on fast idle I think. Can't remember as the last time I did an oil change I was in a rush and didn't get to flush it.

[thebassman]

+1, I always use it on a change.

[AudiA8Quattro]

I think when it says run for 1000kms (about 600 miles) it means in normal driving conditions, I wouldn't dream of redlining it with ATF in the sump 

I do always use an engine flush though, usually wynn's oil flush which is 15 minutes on fast idle I think. Can't remember as the last time I did an oil change I was in a rush and didn't get to flush it.

Even if you aren't redlining it, you are still putting the engine under load.

+1 to wynn's flush, much better.

[Wayne]

May vary with product, some you have to run at fast idle for 15 minutes, some just at idle for 5 minutes, some you add 100 miles before you are due the oil change.

I wouldn't use anything that says to drive the car with the flusher in.

Actually, the method of draining 500ml of oil and refilling it with 500ml of ATF involves driving it for a week or so before doing the oil change.

Yes and its not a method i would use.
ATF or flusher will not protect your engine.
Its up to you.

+1 sound advice.

[fozziie]

so the general opinion is that wynns stuff for 15 mins on a fast idle yeah??

[AudiA8Quattro]

Yes

[Paul86S2]

ATF is an oil and usually a very high quality oil, whether the viscosity is entirely suitable for running in an engine is another matter. It is its cleaning properties that make people advise it as an engine flush. But I would rather run that around my engine than a can of "engine cleaner" which probably has no lubricating properties.
Do you want to start softening and dislodging years of hardened crud in your engine and then let it circulate it round with the potential for it to lodge in your oil ways or similar and potentially cause you more problems.
Or is the "engine cleaner" stuff just a marketing ploy to make you part with some more of your hard earned cash.
Hasn't normal semi synth oil got cleaners in it anyway?

Paul

[AudiA8Quattro]

ATF is an oil and usually a very high quality oil, whether the viscosity is entirely suitable for running in an engine is another matter. It is its cleaning properties that make people advise it as an engine flush. But I would rather run that around my engine than a can of "engine cleaner" which probably has no lubricating properties.
Do you want to start softening and dislodging years of hardened crud in your engine and then let it circulate it round with the potential for it to lodge in your oil ways or similar and potentially cause you more problems.
Or is the "engine cleaner" stuff just a marketing ploy to make you part with some more of your hard earned cash.
Hasn't normal semi synth oil got cleaners in it anyway?

Paul

ATF is an lubricating oil made for gearboxes, which although need lubricating, do not run at anywhere near the temperatures of an internal combustion engine.
I don't have a problem with using ATF or any other engine 'flush', however long term i think it could be potentially damaging to run any engine under load with anything but engine oil.
Running the car at idle or fast idle is no problem, damage will not occur.
I agree with your general point about flushing agents, if oil changes are done regularly then it isn't really necessary.