Originally Posted by Bill7
Hi,
I have a 2009 Honda Accord LX with 28,000 miles.
When checking the oil 2,000 miles after an oil change: on the dipstick the level is fine, but the lower half of the oil on the dipstick is dirty while the top half is clean.
Would like to do an engine flush that is effective, but also gentle / safe as I don't want to cause engine wear on such
a low mileage engine.
Does anyone have a good recommendation on an engine flush that is both effective and gentle (safe) for the engine?
What about Amsoil engine flush? I think Amsoil mentions its safe enough to use it with every oil change?
Thanks,
Bill
Amsoil is safe, unlike others that use heavy solvents. I keep seeing people talk about flushes, but they leave 10-20% of the used oil in the engine for another full OCI. So this percentage will now have twice the hours and miles, which contaminates the new oil, and exposes the engine to higher, wear contaminents, sludge, and combustion byproducts.. Complete a full flush between oil changes. Fully drain the sump for 15 minutes, and change the filter. For a 5 qt system, put four new, inexpensive, quarts in of the proper viscosity and API rating and drive it on the highway for 15 minutes, complete several WOT runs to ensure all oil is flushed out of the oil galleys in the head, and VVT solenoids or actuators if equipped. Drain the oil again. You will be shocked how dirty the oil is. . You will not be able to shine light through it. Install the oil you intend to use for the full OCI. I have taken pictures of the new oil, plus the old oil, and the mixed oil after 15 minutes. You cannot shiine light through it. Looking at a very thin layer of oil on a shiny dipstick is not reliable judge of the appearance of the oil. Particle counts will show that your new oil is heavily contaminated. Mine showed 8x the contamination, added wear(25% remained), loss of viscosity and TBN after only 15 miles of use. I did the same test with new oil, after flush, and I can still shine light through it and it is redish in color after 300 miles..
First pic is the new oil with the 10 - 20% of old oil. Regarless of the angle or brightness of the light, no light could be seen.
The second pic is of the new oil after the full flush, and 300 highway miles. An extra $15, of some inexpensive SuperTech oil and another 20 minutes of work will net you a clean sump for the next full OCI, possible longer OCIs.