Any oils proven to clean an engine?

[Bill888]

My wife's car is an 02 Chry. Sebring Conv with the 2.7 time-bomb motor. I've been religiously changing the oil @ 3k using Maxlife/NAPA filters. Every time I change the oil I try to peek around and from what I can see or swab from the sump everything seems reasonably clean.
My question: Is there any readily available motor oil that can actually clean a motor? I'm not talking about sludge-prevention, etc., but actual cleaning (i.e. a little sludge removal with every change?) I know there's a lot of hype/rumor out there, but there must be a few that have proven this ability via lab tests. (If there is, maybe Chrysler should start handing it out free to 2.7 owners...lol)

 

[Shannow]

Any oil containing Auto-Rx would be a good start.

 

[55Test]

A good synthetic and shorter than OEM recommended (use the severe service list) should keep it from becoming another victim.

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
in heavy high speed diesel engine circles the "accepted" practice is to use a few short OCIs with the latest API/ACEA suitably rated HDEO

While not perfect it does slowly work and it is "common practice"

It was once common practice to do a short OCI with an "unloaded/unstressed" but well warmed up engine using a 50/50 mix of kerosene and a standard engine lubricant (new filters before and after of course)

Regards
Doug

 

[Dyoel182]

You're already using one of the best cleaning oils there is.

 

[TurboJim]

If you were to rely on oil alone Maxlife or M1 High Mileage would be my choice. Any other oil plus ARX would be another option.

 

[rshaw125]

Make sure the PCV valve is replaced and the hose is clean. I have a 2000 Intrepid with the awful 2.7. It was the first time I had seen a gunked up PCV hose. I replaced both a few months back.
3,000 mile oil changes on Maxlife should keep everything clean.

 

[lovcom]

I cannot tell you which oils are best for cleaning an engine, but on a similar note "keeping engines clean", here is what I have done, but mind you, I started this regimen on a brand new car, so it might not be the way to go with a car with many more miles:

I use M1 0W-20 with 4,500 OCI's in a 2007 Toyota Yaris, and this is what I've been doing to keep the engine clean since changing out the factory fill:

One gas tank filling just before the oil is to be changed, I add a bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate to the gas tank.

Then once that last gas tank worth of fuel is nearly all burned, I add a quart of Gunk Engine flush, and idle the motor cold motor for 5 minutes, then drane the entire sump, but before screwing back in the drain plug, I add one quart of the cheapest oil I can buy to make sure all the engine flush is removed from the engine; the thinking here is that the last quart that drains will pull out most/all of the residual motor flush.

Then I screw in the drain plug, add the M1, replace the oil filter with a Mobil1 EP filter, and I'm set for another 4,500 miles.

I think that this regimen will keep the engine very, very clean without the need for the exdensive A-Rx regimen, saving both time and money. I have 22k miles on that engine, and at 19,000 my father pulled off the valve cover, and the valve train was not only clean, but sparking clean, to my amazement. Now granted 19k miles is not a lot of miles, but the valve trains looked just like brand new. I'd like to pull the valve cover again when the car reaches 60k or 90k and compare the look with that of my nephew's yaris...now that would be interesting...he runs the 5k dino 5w-20 pennzoil routine.

 

[OilGuy]

Detergents clean. Mobil 1 EP has ~35% more detergents than regular Mobil 1. It might be worth considering - along with shorter ~3500 mile drains or so.

 

[mechtech2]

That ARx is worthy of consideration.
It involves no more than a standard oil change.
And you may use it with a light dose for subsequent maintenance.

 

[BarkerMan]

I don't think oils make up ground on grunge but can help slow it down. Auto-Rx and a diesel grade oil for both the clean and rinse will do a good job. I'm new to it and have only seen it at work on a dozen or so engines but this stuff really works. As the song sez, slow and ez does it every time.

 

[XPR]

Originally Posted By: Bill888
My wife's car is an 02 Chry. Sebring Conv with the 2.7 time-bomb motor. I've been religiously changing the oil @ 3k using Maxlife/NAPA filters. Every time I change the oil I try to peek around and from what I can see or swab from the sump everything seems reasonably clean.
My question: Is there any readily available motor oil that can actually clean a motor? I'm not talking about sludge-prevention, etc., but actual cleaning (i.e. a little sludge removal with every change?) I know there's a lot of hype/rumor out there, but there must be a few that have proven this ability via lab tests. (If there is, maybe Chrysler should start handing it out free to 2.7 owners...lol)


My friend has a 1979 Corvette, he runs Amsoil (was 10w30 now 10W-40) and an Amsoil filter. Last week he pulled the intake off to gain access to some other part of the engine. The valley showed no sign or any sludge or deposits that are typical in his particular kind of engine type. He changes his oil once a year, but doesn't drive it during the Wisconsin snow season.