The Oldsmobile Connection

[sean000]

Okay I am just about due for an oil change and was wondering a few things. Don't worry... I've already decided to go with synthetic this time around. So it 's not a syn vs. conventional thread. My questions is what do you guys think about engine flushes before putting your new oil in? I know my maintenance schedule mentions nothing about engine flushes, but it is a 25 year old engine . Also, do you know of or have used any good oil additives/stabilizers to help condition seals?

[andrewk]

sean000 wrote: My questions is what do you guys think about engine flushes before putting your new oil in?

The only thing I do with my car is I put a couple cap-fulls of "Seafoam" in my oil a day or two before I change it. I don't know that it cleans much, or does anything at all, as I don't think I have gained or lost anything by doing it. The reason I use it is because its cheap for me, and I use it as injector cleaner/fuel system conditioner, which is probably the best use for the stuff. Seafoam, at least according to the can has a ton of uses, and an oil additive is one of them.

Most engine flush products that work without taking anything apart are usually gimmicks. I wouldn't waste my money on them, IMHO.

Quote: I know my maintenance schedule mentions nothing about engine flushes, but it is a 25 year old engine.

Age shouldn't make much difference unless it was neglected enough to cause problems. If your car is running well and getting decent fuel mileage now, I wouldn't worry about it.

Quote: Also, do you know of or have used any good oil additives/stabilizers to help condition seals?

Conditioning seals is one of those things that if it needs to be done, nothing is going to really cure the problem except replacing the seal. Oil will condition your seals as good as any of the products out there, if the seal is in good shape. Most of these additives have paraffin in them, and that is what "conditions" the seal. What is really happening is a buildup of paraffin that is preventing the seal from leaking. If you use a lot of these additives, you can create some problems too.

If/when you switch to synthetic oil, you probably notice the leaks getting worse. This is because synthetic has a smaller, and more consistent molecular structure than conventional oil and it will weep past a worn seal faster than conventional oil will.

This is not to be confused with the arguement that synthetic oil makes your engine leak, because if the seals are good, it does not.

Sorry for the lengthy reply- hope this helps.

Andrew

[88delta88]

On all my older vehicles, I've always used a 250mL of transmission fluid a couple hundred km's before the oil change.

I amazed by the effects it had by completely turning golden oil BLACK in a short period of time on my 300,000km ford probe. I was recommended the treatment by one of my dad's friends to resolve a noisy lifter problem. The lifter soon after quieted down.

[91parkave]

you are correct on that one 88, a i little trans fluid keeps sludge buildup down, moreso than the other brands sold in store. but for oil, i stick with royal purple and a bosch filter everytime. my oil dosent turn black till about 5000+ miles.

[sean000]

88delta88 wrote: On all my older vehicles, I've always used a 250mL of transmission fluid a couple hundred km's before the oil change.

I amazed by the effects it had by completely turning golden oil BLACK in a short period of time on my 300,000km ford probe. I was recommended the treatment by one of my dad's friends to resolve a noisy lifter problem. The lifter soon after quieted down.

Couldn't this just be the burnt transmission fluid? Anyone else heard of this?

[88 Coupe]

sean000 wrote: ........ engine flushes before putting your new oil in? ........
Waste of time and money. Depending what "cleaner" is used, there is a possibility of damage.

Quote: ........ my maintenance schedule mentions nothing about engine flushes ........
For good reason.

Quote: ........ good oil additives/stabilizers ........
Each oil brand contains a unique "additive package" designed, among other things, to meet various auto manufacturer (and government) specifications, package". Here is a short explanation.

In most cases, everything that is needed, was added before it was packaged. Here is what can happen, if a foreign chemical is added to that package.

The exception is: When flat tappets are used, with high valve spring pressures,.

Norm

[88 Coupe]

sean000 wrote: ........ Couldn't this just be the burnt transmission fluid? ........
No. In order to burn, it would have to find its way into the combustion chamber. If so, it would have gone out the exhaust, in the form of smoke.

ATF (and its additive package) is a hydraulic fluid. It is formulated to work in a clean environment. In that application, it performs very well.

It is not, however, a substitute for an engine oil, in a hydrocarbon/acid/sludge filled crankcase. The red dye turns black, and the additives are rendered useless by the fumes. What is left, is a thinner oil with correspondingly weakened lubricating properties.

Doesn't matter what oil you use. It does matter how often you change it.

Norm

[andrewk]

Good Posts, Norm. I had forgotten about "bob is the oil guy"- Very good reads.

Andrew

[88delta88]

88 Coupe wrote: ....It is not, however, a substitute for an engine oil, in a hydrocarbon/acid/sludge filled crankcase. The red dye turns black, and the additives are rendered useless by the fumes. What is left, is a thinner oil with correspondingly weakened lubricating properties.....

In light of this, was there any positive effects by the treatment, or were they placebo? I've sworn by this treatment since I was prescribed... :lol:

So the additives were changing color, and fouling my engine oil? Not dissolved crap from the sludgy engine?

[88 Coupe]

88delta88 wrote: ........ was there any positive effects by the treatment ........
You saw what I saw.

My information is that, with few exceptions, Aftermarket additives are a waste of time and money. Your sticking lifter might have been one of those exceptions. Then, again, the tick might have gone away with a normal oil change.

Quote: ........ Not dissolved crap ........ sludgy engine?
Two different topics: 1. ATF and/or engine oil, do not dissolve anything. 2. You cannot remove "sludge" without dismantling the engine.Something else to think about: Cleaning solvents are very thin oils with almost no lubricating abilities. Sort of like WD-40.

Norm

[sean000]

Good posts...thanks Norm. That definetly answers my question.

[88 Coupe]

Thanks Guys. Your questions, and follow ups, give me the direction I need.

Norm

[91parkave]

it may be slightly off-topic but im curious what you guys htink about the seafoam mentioned earlier, i run it through the vac lines, but besides the smoke screen does it really have any cleaning abilities?

[andrewk]

91parkave wrote: it may be slightly off-topic but im curious what you guys htink about the seafoam mentioned earlier, i run it through the vac lines, but besides the smoke screen does it really have any cleaning abilities?

My shop uses it as a carburetor dip, and it does a fine job of cleaning the gunk out of small engine carburetors.

We also use it as a fuel stabilizer in all our shop fuel, and I have soaked small engine cylinder heads in it to soften up carbon deposits, all with success.

It is my opinion that it probably doesn't perform well in your oil, at least in the capacity to remove any buildup.

[91parkave]

Yea i use it for the injectors when i have them off the cars, but i,ve never bothered to use it in the oil.