100% removal of flushed engine oil

DieselFan · 15th February 2009, 14:01

I just had an engine oil flush done during my last service on Swift DDIS. Even after draining the last drop of oil and replacing the oil filter I understand that about 150-200 ml of oil is trapped in the engine. I think this is harmful for the engine and might lead to sludge formation on the long run.

In this forum some have suggested passing compressed air through the oil dip stick port to remove oil trapped in the engine. On mentioning the same with the service engineer at MASS he did inform me that it will cause harm to engine's delicate parts.

I am opening this thread to start a discussion on how to safely remove the last drop of old oil before refilling the same with the new one.

K a s h · 15th February 2009, 14:50

How about filling in fresh oil and then running the engine for 5 mins and then flushing it out ? At least some amount of the old oil would have gone.

15th February 2009, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselFan

I think this is harmful for the engine and might lead to sludge formation on the long run.

Be serious.

If you are hyperparanoid, you could use some of the engine flush products (diesel) at your own risk. Even those products will not give '100%' removal; to get 100% out you will have to pretty much open the engine and wash parts with water+soap solution.

Pour new oil of appropriate weight and drive. There are many other things to worry about in life rather than few drops of old oil. Nothing bad will happen to your car. Honest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by K a s h

How about filling in fresh oil and then running the engine for 5 mins and then flushing it out ? At least some amount of the old oil would have gone.

And what should one do with engine oil that has been used for 5 minutes?!

Do people do this frequently?

I wish there was a second hand market where people could sell oil that has been used for 5 minutes. I would love to buy the entire stock.

SS-Traveller · 15th February 2009, 15:08

The detergents/solvents that engine flush is made up of, are also present in small amounts in regular engine oil. A small residue of engine flush therefore won't harm the engine, IMHO it might even be beneficial. Of course, in the long run, frequent flushing of engines and the resultant benefit vs. harm is itself a matter of huge debate.

K a s h · 15th February 2009, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSyn

And what should one do with engine oil that has been used for 5 minutes?!

Do people do this frequently?

I wish there was a second hand market where people could sell oil that has been used for 5 minutes. I would love to buy the entire stock.

Whoa buddy... Now we know what to do with that oil ... dont we?

GTO · 16th February 2009, 11:27

@ Super Syn : Excellent post. I couldn't agree more, especially with this statement

Quote:

There are many other things to worry about in life rather than few drops of old oil. Nothing bad will happen to your car. Honest.

RedMM340 · 16th February 2009, 12:24

When I do an oil change, I let all the oil drain out and then pour about 500ml of fresh motor oil into the crankcase and allow this to completely drain out prior to re-installing the drain plug & new filter.

I actually read this in an old Mercedes service manual as a recommended practice.

sgiitk · 16th February 2009, 14:30

No point in getting paranoid about the 150-200ml residue. If you change oil regularly I would not even bother about flushing (well may be once every 50,000km). Also, all diesels oils have enough of detergents to clean the engine (this is what is the primary differentiation between diesel and petrol oils).

So I would say, forget the flushing provided you are changing oil at the recommended interval and using good quality oil (correct Cx rating).

Jaggu · 16th February 2009, 14:56

You can always get some "flushing oil" and idle the engine for couple of minutes and then drain and replace the oil and oil filter. This is one way to reduce the effect of residue.

gd1418 · 16th February 2009, 17:07

Godd quality high grade oils like Mobil Delvac, Chevron Delo etc., have high detergent contents that themselves act as good flushing agents.

When the oil is replaced timely, i.e. after 5-6K kms, such exercise as mentioned in previous post is not necessary. Take the vehicle to the garage when the engine has run for about 15 kms and is hot. Remove the drain plug, oil filter and open the engine oil lid. Let the oild drain for 1/2 hour. Replace with fresh oil and filter, go home and have good night's sleep.

SirAlec · 16th February 2009, 22:48

actually every MASS has a engine oil flushing machine, but no body bothers to use it.

Everywhere even in my fren's MASS the mechanic says 'bhaiya! kaun jodega, jab apne ap nikal hi jata hai'.

enzo10 · 19th February 2009, 15:33

My fear is whether they are draining the used oil completely before putting in new oil. What if they drain only 2 liters and top-up with new oil and charge for 5 liters of engine oil. especially in diesel engine the oil becoms black very soon. wont know the difference only.

DieselFan · 19th February 2009, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzo10

My fear is whether they are draining the used oil completely before putting in new oil. What if they drain only 2 liters and top-up with new oil and charge for 5 liters of engine oil. especially in diesel engine the oil becoms black very soon. wont know the difference only.

You either need to trust the MASS or stand in front of your car when the oil is changed.

Atlblkz06 · 19th February 2009, 20:10

This is definitely borderline paranoia lol.

Absolutely nothing will give you 100% removal of all oil. Besides - oil is not sludge. Sludge accumulates only when you let oil stay in there for too long and it mixes with the impurities to form a paste. Change the oil regularly and you will be fine. This has been proven time and again with people who have over 200k miles on their car without any special treatment.

15th February 2009, 14:01	#1
DieselFan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,584 Thanked: 259 Times	100% removal of flushed engine oil I just had an engine oil flush done during my last service on Swift DDIS. Even after draining the last drop of oil and replacing the oil filter I understand that about 150-200 ml of oil is trapped in the engine. I think this is harmful for the engine and might lead to sludge formation on the long run. In this forum some have suggested passing compressed air through the oil dip stick port to remove oil trapped in the engine. On mentioning the same with the service engineer at MASS he did inform me that it will cause harm to engine's delicate parts. I am opening this thread to start a discussion on how to safely remove the last drop of old oil before refilling the same with the new one.
	() Thanks

15th February 2009, 14:50	#2
K a s h BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 155 Thanked: 120 Times View My Garage	How about filling in fresh oil and then running the engine for 5 mins and then flushing it out ? At least some amount of the old oil would have gone.
	() Thanks

15th February 2009, 15:08	#4
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,162 Thanked: 27,120 Times View My Garage	The detergents/solvents that engine flush is made up of, are also present in small amounts in regular engine oil. A small residue of engine flush therefore won't harm the engine, IMHO it might even be beneficial. Of course, in the long run, frequent flushing of engines and the resultant benefit vs. harm is itself a matter of huge debate.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 12:24	#7
RedMM340 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the move Posts: 457 Thanked: 34 Times	When I do an oil change, I let all the oil drain out and then pour about 500ml of fresh motor oil into the crankcase and allow this to completely drain out prior to re-installing the drain plug & new filter. I actually read this in an old Mercedes service manual as a recommended practice.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 14:30	#8
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	No point in getting paranoid about the 150-200ml residue. If you change oil regularly I would not even bother about flushing (well may be once every 50,000km). Also, all diesels oils have enough of detergents to clean the engine (this is what is the primary differentiation between diesel and petrol oils). So I would say, forget the flushing provided you are changing oil at the recommended interval and using good quality oil (correct Cx rating).
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 14:56	#9
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,212 Thanked: 15,892 Times	You can always get some "flushing oil" and idle the engine for couple of minutes and then drain and replace the oil and oil filter. This is one way to reduce the effect of residue.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 17:07	#10
gd1418 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,578 Thanked: 728 Times View My Garage	Godd quality high grade oils like Mobil Delvac, Chevron Delo etc., have high detergent contents that themselves act as good flushing agents. When the oil is replaced timely, i.e. after 5-6K kms, such exercise as mentioned in previous post is not necessary. Take the vehicle to the garage when the engine has run for about 15 kms and is hot. Remove the drain plug, oil filter and open the engine oil lid. Let the oild drain for 1/2 hour. Replace with fresh oil and filter, go home and have good night's sleep.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 22:48	#11
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	actually every MASS has a engine oil flushing machine, but no body bothers to use it. Everywhere even in my fren's MASS the mechanic says 'bhaiya! kaun jodega, jab apne ap nikal hi jata hai'.
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 15:33	#12
enzo10 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 61 Thanked: 24 Times	My fear is whether they are draining the used oil completely before putting in new oil. What if they drain only 2 liters and top-up with new oil and charge for 5 liters of engine oil. especially in diesel engine the oil becoms black very soon. wont know the difference only.
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 20:10	#14
Atlblkz06 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 164 Thanked: 20 Times	This is definitely borderline paranoia lol. Absolutely nothing will give you 100% removal of all oil. Besides - oil is not sludge. Sludge accumulates only when you let oil stay in there for too long and it mixes with the impurities to form a paste. Change the oil regularly and you will be fine. This has been proven time and again with people who have over 200k miles on their car without any special treatment.
	() Thanks