Pouring Synthetic into a Varnished Engine

[Merkava_4]

Has anyone poured synthetic into a varnished engine and had all of the varnish come off in one OCI? Impossible you say? I don't think so. I think there's a mean synthetic out there that will do just that; it's just a matter of finding out which one it is. There could even be several oils that will do that.

What about some of these stories I've read here on BITOG about someone trying synthetic out for the first time and having the oil turn black because of its cleaning ability? I would be highly interested in hearing some more stories like that; and I think some of you would be interested too.

Here's the deal: for me to choose a synthetic oil, it would have to be based on its cleaning ability, because the long drain interval aspect does not interest me. The oil's ability to clean an engine and to keep it clean, would be for me, the deciding factor.

 

[askani79705]

No, But I have seen Rotella 5W30 clean up a sludgy 89 Escort I had over 6 oil changes not whistle clean but a significant change

 

[Hirev]

Its highly unlikely you are going to clean varnish off with motor oil.... unless your using acetone for motor oil.

 

[Merkava_4]

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Its highly unlikely you are going to clean varnish off with motor oil....

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I expected to have some sceptics post here, but I think it can be done. After all, if it's an oil that put the varnish there, there's an oil that can taketh away.

 

[BrianWC]

Nope, won't happen. Try a search under my name and sludge or varnish. Furthermore, varnish isn't just oil per say. It's more a product of combustion gasses getting past the rings.

I'll save you time. Redline won't do it. Not in OCI anyway. I don't know how much meaner you want.

HDEOs won't do it either. Besides, a light coat of varnish is not that big a deal.

 

[Hirev]

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Its highly unlikely you are going to clean varnish off with motor oil....

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After all, if it's an oil that put the varnish there, there's an oil that can taketh away.

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It taint oil that put the varnish there. It was gasoline and temperature that created it.

 

[ziggy]

Thier was a post form a guy that used castrol 5w 30, and removed the valve cover, and had pics... no varnish or sludge was in thier! You could literlaly eat off of it! Another guy,used seafoam,6 oz per 4 or 5 quarts, for entire oil change interval, smae thing sludge and varnish completely removed, Don't knowwhere it is, but its here in the forum somewhere.

 

[dwendt44]

I've heard of similar results as Ziggy with MMO.

 

[mechtech2]

ditto BrianWC

 

[jorton]

The small amount of un-drainable used oil has carbon and solids from oxidation in suspension. That's what turns the fresh synthetic black.

 

[Seth]

Try gumout and BG 44k

 

[GMorg]

Have a read through Julian's link collection:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...ge=2#Post824134

 

[badtlc]

Yeah, the guy who used Castrol Syntec had before and after pictures showing the varnish going away.

 

[nascarnation]

Is there any reason to think a synthetic of similar spec (ie 5W30 SM) has a different/better additive package than the dino?
I doubt that the base oil does any cleaning?

 

[TeeDub]

I've seen some impressive cleaning results with synlubes containing various types of esters, like the Amsoil Series 2000/3000 stuff. However the main cleaning effect is on the softer sludge/gum deposits. Varnish is typically baked on stuff and is largely insoluble.

The problem is that if the solvent you use is so strong it will remove varnish, then it's going to ruin the ability of the oil to lubricate and seal the piston rings.

 

[AndyH]

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Yeah, the guy who used Castrol Syntec had before and after pictures showing the varnish going away.

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Anyone have a link? Sorry to be a sceptic, but I don't believe it.

 

[MC5W20]

Why not just remove your motor, tear it apart and then take it to an automotive machine shop to be hot tanked?

Varnish ain't going to hurt anything. What will hurt is trying to remove the varnish. However, your suggestion of using synthetic to remove it isn't going to hurt anything. When you start to add mystery chemicals to the motor oil you will do the harm that way.

 

[badtlc]

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Yeah, the guy who used Castrol Syntec had before and after pictures showing the varnish going away.

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Anyone have a link? Sorry to be a sceptic, but I don't believe it.

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Link

 

[badtlc]

and i was wrong, this guy had no pics. I could swear I saw one thread where a guy had pictures.

 

[Blue99]

Varnish staining is extremely difficult to remove from an engine, even with solvents & flushes.

Synthetic base oils, Grp III & IV, are highly paraffinic and have poor soluability. Anyone expecting any significant cleaning from these formulations is going to be in for a disappointing experience!