Re: Engine Flush, cooling system flush

[Ian Lomax <sfalfisto@domain.elided>]

--- Scott Fisher <sfisher71@domain.elided> wrote:
> --- BrianPal10@domain.elided wrote:
> > Today I took my Alfa in for an oil change.  They
> > asked me if I wanted a 
> > "upgraded" oil change, which included running the
> > engine with some treatment 
> > before filling it with new oil.  Since I had never
> > heard of this, I opted 
> > against it.  Just wondering if any of you knew
> what
> > it was about.  Is it 
> > beneficial and/or safe for Alfas?
> 
> Probably no; probably yes.  That is, if you're as
> careful with oil changes as I remember you to be,
> Brian, there's probably no benefit to running the
> oil-system cleaner.  The idea is to remove varnish,
> baked-on gunk, and other unsavory stuff from the
> inside of an engine; it's basically a very light
> motor
> oil with a high detergent compound and (possibly)
> some
> solvents designed to clean the passages inside your
> engine.  Preventing these is better than repairing
> them -- in fact, prevention is better than repair in
> almost any category (as I constantly remind myself
> when I go to the gym -- if I'd kept at this ten
> years
> ago, I wouldn't have to work so hard to get *back*
> into shape...)

Scott and Brian,

I've been staring at the inside of a 2L engine for the
past few weeks, cleaning as I reassemble.  The PO of
this poor engine wasn't very religious about oil
changes, and there was a light varnish on all the
interior surfaces (and a 1/4" of crud on the outside
too).  It took acetone and a rag to remove it where I
could, and wasn't necessarily easy.  I can't imagine a
quick flush with oil does much at all, except clean
out your wallet.

Change your oil regularly boys and girls.  And hit the
gym now and again, or push start your Alfa
occassionaly.  Good for the legs. :-)

Cheers,
Ian "ate too much for lunch again" Lomax
Beautiful 70 degree San Francisco, CA
Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games
http://sports.yahoo.com

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided