to flush or not to flush ?

brens-s80 · Mar 23rd, 2006, 13:43

Hi all,

Just wondering I'am about to change the Oil on my 240 and was wondering what is the general concensus regarding using Oil flushing products on the B200F Engine.

The oil in the car is very dirty and I'am torn between the slow process of replacing the oil and filter and then running it for a few days and then repeat the procedure to clean out the crud and possibly have to do it a 3rd time ( very expensive). Or using an Oil flush running the car and then only replace the oil and filter once.

whats your views/advice

regards
brendan

Erling · Mar 23rd, 2006, 13:52

I think I would have got two 4 litre cans of cheap oil and two filters, do a change, drive for a few days, and drain the oil. If the oil still looks dirty, repeat the process.

The redblock motors are not very choosy regarding oils, but if you use the car mainly for shorter trips (like me), changing at 3,000 miles intervals could be wise. Volvo (=Mann) filters are highly recommended.

blues60 · Mar 23rd, 2006, 14:05

Could you not just empty the old oil and re fill it with a cheaper oil, leaving the old filter on and then run it for a few gentle miles and then do the full oil and filter change. Unless the engine is really cruddy the old filter will pick up the remainder of the gunge and then you can start fresh with the new filter and quality oil. I really depends when the oil was changed last. It's a complete false economy to skimp on oil. I tend to change oil on my cars every 6000 to ensure the turbo is fed nice clean oil and oilways do not get furred up.
Personally I am rather wary or the flushing products available and wonder if they can affect the engine adversely.

Mike_Brace · Mar 23rd, 2006, 15:36

On engines like this my procedure is as follows:
1)With hot engine drop the oil and replace sump plug.
2)Fill engine with diesel (red if you can get it) instead of oil and and start and leave ticking over for 10-15 mins (Do not rev engine) The diesel cleans well and also lubricates adequately for this purpose.
3)Change filter and refill with a 15/40 turbo diesel oil. This has plenty of detergents and will clean engine further.
4) 3-6000 miles later perform another oil and filter change, continue using the turbo diesel oil.
I've rescued many a dirty engine this way.

Mike

Andrew (UK) · Mar 23rd, 2006, 21:39

I have heard of third hand horror stories about flushing. ie use a flushing agent and then change the oil. Next thing you know is the engine seizes because an important oil galley is blocked due to some crud being dislodged by the flush. This may well be only an urban myth but I think I'll save my money and just put good quality oil in.

Mar 23rd, 2006, 13:43	#1
brens-s80 VOC Member Last Online: Jun 17th, 2022 11:33 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: naas View Photos By: brens-s80	to flush or not to flush ? Hi all, Just wondering I'am about to change the Oil on my 240 and was wondering what is the general concensus regarding using Oil flushing products on the B200F Engine. The oil in the car is very dirty and I'am torn between the slow process of replacing the oil and filter and then running it for a few days and then repeat the procedure to clean out the crud and possibly have to do it a 3rd time ( very expensive). Or using an Oil flush running the car and then only replace the oil and filter once. whats your views/advice regards brendan

Mar 23rd, 2006, 13:52	#2
Erling VOC member Last Online: May 8th, 2007 20:15 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Stavanger	I think I would have got two 4 litre cans of cheap oil and two filters, do a change, drive for a few days, and drain the oil. If the oil still looks dirty, repeat the process. The redblock motors are not very choosy regarding oils, but if you use the car mainly for shorter trips (like me), changing at 3,000 miles intervals could be wise. Volvo (=Mann) filters are highly recommended. __________________ The older I get, the better I used to be.

Mar 23rd, 2006, 14:05	#3
blues60 My car is blue Last Online: Nov 8th, 2007 19:34 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sussex	Could you not just empty the old oil and re fill it with a cheaper oil, leaving the old filter on and then run it for a few gentle miles and then do the full oil and filter change. Unless the engine is really cruddy the old filter will pick up the remainder of the gunge and then you can start fresh with the new filter and quality oil. I really depends when the oil was changed last. It's a complete false economy to skimp on oil. I tend to change oil on my cars every 6000 to ensure the turbo is fed nice clean oil and oilways do not get furred up. Personally I am rather wary or the flushing products available and wonder if they can affect the engine adversely. __________________ Ford Focus C-Max 2.0 TDCi Ghia.

Mar 23rd, 2006, 15:36	#4
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	On engines like this my procedure is as follows: 1)With hot engine drop the oil and replace sump plug. 2)Fill engine with diesel (red if you can get it) instead of oil and and start and leave ticking over for 10-15 mins (Do not rev engine) The diesel cleans well and also lubricates adequately for this purpose. 3)Change filter and refill with a 15/40 turbo diesel oil. This has plenty of detergents and will clean engine further. 4) 3-6000 miles later perform another oil and filter change, continue using the turbo diesel oil. I've rescued many a dirty engine this way. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Mar 23rd, 2006, 21:39	#5
Andrew (UK) VOC Member Last Online: Dec 3rd, 2021 08:39 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Sutton, near Ely	I have heard of third hand horror stories about flushing. ie use a flushing agent and then change the oil. Next thing you know is the engine seizes because an important oil galley is blocked due to some crud being dislodged by the flush. This may well be only an urban myth but I think I'll save my money and just put good quality oil in.

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