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What can I use to "wash" or "flush" the metal particals out of my engine block?

21K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  D-Man  
#1 ·
What can I use to "wash" or "flush" the metal particals out of my engine block?

I had a lifter/cam self destruct on me and now I want to try to get rid of any left over metal particals out of the cam/crank area. I know in a perfect world I should pull the engine and go through it with a fine tooth comb but I don't have the time/money to go all out. Can anybody recommend an oil that I can "flush" the debris down to the oil pan with? I don't really want to use a solvent because that will strip the remaining oil off the crank, etc. and then they'll be dry when I fire it back up. Will priming the oil pump using the rod and drill get fresh oil to the crank bearings? Thanks for your replys and wish me luck!
 
#5 ·
It is if you take to heart.... Like Tom G said...

with out a complete disassemble and flush.. you have no idea whats in the galleries....

chances are you need bearings and a crank polish minimum...

but its your engine... there are those that short cut and do fine.....

It has never worked for me....

Perhaps because when I break something..... ITS real broke!:devil:
 
#8 ·
If you really dont want to disassemble the engine then no matter how much cleaning you do on the surface you are kinda waisting your time for the crank.

Dont get me wrong, I have taken short cuts, and still do.

But with this one even if you were to drain all the oil, slap it all back together and fill it up with a very thin oil and run the oil pump with a priming rod, for five minutes. You will still have particles under the crank bearings. And they will be embedded in the bearing.

But..... If you really did not want to tear the whole engine down and replace crank bearings I would try the thin oil and primer rod deal. And then rip the pan back off and throughly clean the entire lower block area with a mild solvent. Ditch the filter and you should be fine. The crank bearing will be holding some metal. But hey, you just need to get back on the road right.. And I get that.

Yer just looking for a better idea than to pull the old cam, wipe things down and put it back together. You already knew a full tear down was in order. That was obvious. JR
 
#9 ·
Thanks JR,

I must admit I am a bit torn as to which direction to go. Play it safe and rebuild or throw the dice and clean it out as best I can and replace the cam, lifters, pushrods, oil pump, and oil pump pickup. I get the haunting feeling if I don't do it right I won't "trust" the engine and will be contantly waiting for the thing to take a crap on me...
 
#10 ·
Bare minimum, think about the crap the oil pump has already chewed up.:yes:
Time to pull it down!!
You might get lucky and only be out a set of gaskets, rear main seal, oil pump and some time. But more importantly, you may save the engine!! Then that time you put in now is just as good as $$$$ in the bank!!
I'm not a gambler....I can't afford to loose!:no:
If nothing else, just call it "piece of mind.":yes: