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Date:         Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:02:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Using Gunk or other engine cleaning solvents!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Using this stuff can be very dangerous for your engine. If your engine is that dirty inside it is due to neglect. If there is a heavy buildup of carbon or sludge, these solvents will cause them to loosen. The crud in the bearing passages will soon move into the bearings causing damage there. The crud sitting in the heads and oil returns will loosen and eventually accumulate and clog the oil pump inlet screen. The heavy carbon can not be dissolved by any solvent so you are now stuck with no oil pressure. In the Water boxer, the only way to access the oil pump screen is to completely tear down the engine. The air cooled busses have removable screens so this is not as much of a problem. Most other cars can have the pan dropped allowing oil pump access there.

Questions to be asked include why do you think you need to flush an engine? If it is running okay, it obviously is not necessary. Remove the valve covers. Is there a load of carbon and sludge on top of the heads? Are the deposits flaky or chunky? If yes, simply loosening them up will be devastating. I've seen engines with so much crap on top, there were imprints in the crud where the rockers moved. If this is the case, Then carefully remove as much junk as possible by hand. A shop vacuum can be used to suck some of it out. If the engine has a removable oil pan, then remove it and clean all the open passages out. Remove and clean the oil pump screen if needed. On the Water boxer, remove the rockers and pushrods to clean out the tubes if needed. Again, be careful not to let the loose crud go down into the crank case.

The best way to clean an engine is to just do frequent oil and filter changes. If the engine is healthy, this is all that is needed. Synthetics tend to clean better and since they do not break down, they will not add any more crud in the future. I do not believe in adding oil additives or Marvel Mystery oil. Good quality oil will do everything needed. Modern synthetics have proven their value to me over the years. Make sure to use the proper viscosity. If your engine is tired, cleaning with a solvent will not fix it. Save your money.

Dennis


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