Oil Flushing - Diesel ATF

[RX8SE3P]

Hi, not sure if anyone here has read about it or tried it but I have heard of a few people with mazda V6 engines putting some diesel oil into their car along with normal oil and idling it for 5-10 mins then dropping the oil out. Also heard another similar story about someone who used ATF as it doesn't act as aggressively with the detergents as diesel and is safer.

Idea is that the detergents in both clean out sludge etc and thin it out so you get a cleaner engine. I've heard plenty of people who say to put 1L (1quart) of ATF or diesel and then the rest just regular oil. Also heard people dump a whole 4L of diesel or ATF in and also heard of people doing both and actually driving the car!

Now I am not agreeing or disagreeing but the people who done it reported the HLA noise completely went away and engine felt better. No one reported trouble.

Has anyone tried it. Does anyone with a half dead K8 who is planning a ZE swap willing to try it to see what happens? If you have done it do you have before and after pics of inside the valve cover?

I am really interested to see some results. I'd love to try it but I have only just put a ZE in about 500kms ago and am sort of concerned that I could wreck something.

EDIT: Btw I have heard that the "engine flush" stuff people buy is usually just kero or diesel anyway.

[Daninski]

If you only added a similar amount to twhat the store sells and don't rev the engine (put it under load) you'll probably be ok. If the HLA's are sludged up flushing would definitely help. I just used the store bought stuff and the ZE I bought ran really well after. No tic ticking.

[mitmaks]

if you buy me a ze or even a de Ill be happy to test it out for you on my k8

[fowljesse]

Yeah, this subject has been discussed ad nauseum.
If you'd like to see results, use the search.

[RX8SE3P]

Yeah, this subject has been discussed ad nauseum.
If you'd like to see results, use the search.

EDIT - I'm removing this post as arguing is not helpful to the thread.

[wytbishop]

It has been well known among mechanics for many years...from the dawn of time really...that ATF is high in detergent and antifoaming additives. This makes it a very good engine cleaner. HD oil has similar detergent properties. I have long been doing my first oil change on junk yard engines with HD 20W50. Even after an hour of engine time that HD oil will come out black as night.

RX8...you kinda flew off the handle there. Hang around here for a few years and you'll understand why he said that.

[fowljesse]

At least you said you like me first
I searched "Oil Flush", and 21 pages came up, including the good info I referred to. Sorry it didn't work for you.
I didn't mean any malice, and as I look back at my post, I can see how you took it that way.

[mitmaks]

I know pro engine builders use diesel oil Rotella for break in. I did hear about flushing engine with ATF. I would search on http://www.hotrodders.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Very informative forum.

[onlytrueromeo]

LOL Mitmaks I found your post quickly!

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atf-oil ... 26434.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RX8SE3P]

Fowljesse, it's alright I don't hold grudges. I thought you were having a go. I used the search function though, none of the results really give much useful info about ATF or Diesel, none had before or after pics, none really had feedback from people who did it. That's why I made the thread. I have not heard of any bad experiences yet of people using diesel of ATF or even Kerosene (kero is usually what flush products are anyways.

On this link, people were using Kerosene in high amounts! http://forums.probetalk.com/showthread.php?t=4052" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But they had good results and no disasters. Apparently the kero is partly a lubricant too so it doesn't harm the engine as you would imagine. Just don't drive it like that though. I am thinking about doing a flush with either ATF, Diesel or Kero 50/50 mix with normal oil but not actually driving the car. I have pics of inside the VC before flushing, would be interested to see the results after. I might have to go out an buy some cheap a-- castrol 20W50. One place was selling cheap recently.

I just changed the oil though so I have to wait a few thousand before bothering - no point in wasting that good oil I just put in.

wytbishop - mind me asking but what is HD oil? I searched google but didn't get a good result - some results said it's high viscosity or something.

[Ryan]

Um. Seafoam?

[hgallegos915]

I used 3 quarts of oil, and 2 quarts of atf when I hydrolocked my engine, to flush it out.


Engine worked well after that. I did the flush twice. It looked like if I had choolate milk in my oil.

[wytbishop]

High Detergent oil is formulated for use in tractor trailer rigs and other big diesel applications and used to be easily available but with the advent of ultra low sulfer diesel fuel and regenerative exhaust, diesels run much cleaner now so it's harder to find.

In the past anything made specifically for diesel engines was high detergent...now, I can't say for sure.

[ninjajim4]

i did the 50/50 kerosene/oil mix on my ZE. worked fine for me, did it years ago, no problems. wasn't magical, but somewhat improved on the lifter tick.. i'll still hear it when it's cold.

[fowljesse]

I didn't read your post properly, and didn't know you were asking for specific information. I feel that if I'm going to constantly tell people to search, I need to admit when I make a mistake, and apologise, and not discredit myself to looking like someone who just cops out.
Sorry