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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2005
13:43:07
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 Subject: Got any tips for flushing the engine?
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I've got a 1999 5.2, 5 speed, 4x4 with 83k miles. I bought it at 70k miles. Looking down the throttle body, I can see a lot of caked on oil from the PCV. I figure the rest of the motor is probably in equally poor shape.
I'm going on about a 2500 mile round trip in the truck next month, I'd like to do this before then in hopes it will increase engine efficiency for the trip.
I am worried however that if the the engine is really gummed up, cleaning it will cause it to burn a lot oil.
As it sits right now, the engine uses about a quart every 5000 miles and gets 15mpg in the city and 18mpg on the highway, so it does do pretty good. But at 18mpg, I'll be spending over 300 dollars in gas on the trip. Every little bit I can get out of it will help.
Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for engine flush?
I'm thinking about this stuff right now...
http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/aef.aspx
I have heard some very good things about Sea Foam too though.
Besides maybe having to change the oil afterwords, are there any drawbacks to using these products?
Thanks in advance for any help.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2005
15:02:40
| RE: Got any tips for flushing the engine?
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Here's the problem with an engine flush. If you have a lot of caked on gunk in the passages, a flush is likely to break that loose and send it floating through the oiling system. Sort of like breaking a clot loose and causing an MI.
I would use a good quality oil, and change it every 2-3K miles for a while. A good oil will have detergents that will dissolve these deposits instead of breaking them loose.
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Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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8/22/2005
17:42:01
| RE: Got any tips for flushing the engine?
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seafoam works well. Check for a blown plenum gasket.
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2005
00:28:12
| RE: Got any tips for flushing the engine?
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FIRST > pull a valve cover and see if the engine really is sluged or carbined up > Most likely the caked oil your seeing in the intake is caused by a leaking plenum gasket > Myself, I would just do the plenum gasket and go with a high detergent oil on regular changes > 3,000 miles > Read up on autorx if you really feel the need to flush > Follow the instructions to the letter
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Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2005
11:49:22
| RE: Got any tips for flushing the engine?
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Also try some Lucas oil stabilizer. Stuff works wonders on older engines sometimes. I know Autozone carries it.
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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/26/2005
16:29:15
| RE: Got any tips for flushing the engine?
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Thanks everyone for the tips.
The stuff I see down in the intake manifold is gummed up oil from the PCV, I'm pretty sure. I bought some Sea Foam and will run it through the throttle body sometime soon and then I'll just leave it alone.
Realistically, it is probably pretty clean, but I am going out of town next month and will put 2200 miles on the truck in less than a week. After calculating the fuel costs, I'm willing to try anything to save a buck or two. lol
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