Engine cleaning - internal

I was told by a friend (don't laugh) that one could clean out the
inside of the engine, pistons, oil flow system, etc. by disconnecting
all spark plugs, draining the oil, and pouring about a gallon of
gasoline into the oil filler spout, and then cranking the engine. he
claimed various benefits in doing so, basically more efficiency.

Is this true or BS? I recall a few years ago there was a company
called Enginuity that reportedly cleaned the inside of your engine,
oil flow system, etc. Any comments? Or should I tell my friend to
verify his dosages?

Thanks, Carter

 

B.S !!

 

Complete nonsense. It's a homebrew version of an engine flush which
is an equally poor idea. If you feel the need to clean the insides of
the engine first disassemble then clean.
If it's an older car then what you may end up doing is loosening
enough sludge to fill up either the strainer, hydraulic lifter or an
oil passage. Ask your friend to do it on his car with you watching.

 

That sounds like a really bad idea, gasoline is not a lubricant and will
wash off what lubricant is there. You do not want to turn over an engine
without lubricant!

There's some stuff called Seafoam you can put in the oil, in the fuel,
and in the air intake with the engine running which is supposed to do a
good job of cleaning things out. Haven't tried it myself but have heard
good things. If I were to use it, I would do so a few hundred miles
before an oil change was planned so that it had some time to do its
thing and then the dirty oil and filter would get changed.

A properly maintained engine generally stays pretty clean in the first
place though. Keep up on oil changes and change the air and fuel filters
on schedule and you should be fine. Spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc
should be changed on schedule as well to maintain efficiency, and clean
out the crankcase ventilation and throttle body every few years.

 

Well, the explosion would efficiently release a lot of energy. Not to
mention releasing chunks of car.

 

It's unlikely to explode, you have to have a pretty specific mixture of
fuel vapor and air, as well as an ignition source for that to happen.

It's a bad idea for a multitude of other reasons though.

 

A mechanic once told me diesel could be used as a cleaner like that, it
is more of a lubricant isn't it?

Sister had a gummed up engine in a 940 from no oil changes on a new (to
us) car, eventually after some flushing and oil changes the oil pump
gave up, but in the end they just replaced the oil pump.

 

My first job was with an independent mechanic (early '60s) and the engine
flush protocol was 4 parts 30w and 1 part kerosene. Detergent oil was in
the future and the only way to keep engines from being stopped-upped
tighter'n than a bull mooses ass (allusion and edict from my boss, Ed H.)
was to keep to a 3K oil change plus engine flush routine. Anyone w/
experience with the Ford T'bird 312 engine will appreciate the importance of
a 3K/engine cleaning schedule.

Just as a period piece, we also pumped Sinclair gasoline - anyone remember
the logo?

 

A Dinosaur.........a brontosaurus I think.
At some point I remember the Sinclair signs included the words
"Dino Gas" along with the picture.
Did I just date myself??

 

might as well give another clue..........when I started driving, I was
buying gasoline for 35 cents a gallon.

 

A Dinosaur.........a brontosaurus I think.
At some point I remember the Sinclair signs included the words
"Dino Gas" along with the picture.
Did I just date myself??

You are correct - you are now an official geezer! Congratulations.

 

might as well give another clue..........when I started driving, I was
buying gasoline for 35 cents a gallon.


We are likely abt the same era - I can't swear to it, BUT I think it was
something in the high 20's for Hi-Test and possibly under 20 cents for
regular at the local Gulf Station (this was Philadelphia in the early '60s).
I remember when gas shot up to almost 50 cents a gallon and station
operators wore side arms to keep everybody in line.

 

[ ... ]

He forgot to mention that the logo was green.

I've bought gas in the 15-20 cent range, back when in high school.


Gary

 

You are correct - the dino was a little green cutie. As expected from all
gas stations, I'd filler'up, clean your windshield, and check your oil!
Ahh, the good old days - is New Jersey the only state that requires an
attendant to fill your tank now-a-days?

 

Lloyd W. formulated on Thursday :

Oregon requires attendants, too. I was up there a month or two ago.

Remember the gas wars, when all four stations on a street corner would
be dropping the price? Lowest I can remember in town in Northern CA is
the low 20's, but in Bakersfield or Fresno I once saw 11 cents! 6th
grade, 1964...

 

I think Oregon also does.
P. >)

 

For some reason that annoys me. Whenever I'm down there I tend to fill
up in WA before I cross into OR so I don't have to deal with it. Dunno
why, I guess it feels kinda like someone wiping my butt for me, it's
something I've been doing myself for as long as I've been driving, feels
silly to have it done for me.

 

James Sweet explained on 8/20/2009 :

I lived there for 6 years, and really despised the law. It is basically
a full-employment for doofuses law, which increases the price of gas. I
can see no logical reason for it. For reasons that are unclear, no one
has the guts to change it.