by The engine flush is a popular term in used car circles. Almost everyone seems to be recommending it and the people you know or have talked to have gotten it done as soon as they bought their used cars in Greenville. After all, it has something to do with cleaning the engine internally and common sense dictates that a clean engine tends to run longer.
So, what is this engine flush all about? Do you need to get it done on the used vehicle you just bought? Does engine flush really prolong engine life? And is the expense worth it on top of the price you just paid for your vehicle? Let us explore these questions here and clear out the air about engine flush.
What is an engine flush anyway?
The oil filter you have in your car does not work perfectly. Some particles tend to pass through and get deposited on the engine’s exposed surfaces. Similarly, the oil inside the engine does not combust completely. The leftover carbon accumulates on the engine surfaces as well. Over time, these deposits grow and form sludge inside the engine that restricts oil and piston movements. Both performance and health can get compromised.
Engine flushing is a process in which a mechanic adds a non-solvent chemical compound directly inside the engine. He/she then leaves the car to idle for around 15 minutes during which the solvent reaches every corner of the engine to loosen up the sludge. Once done, the mechanic flushes out the oil-solvent-sludge mixture and changes the oil filter, and the engine becomes squeaky clean.
Isn’t that a good thing?
On paper, yes, the benefits are obvious. But sludge is not always bad for your used cars and used trucks in Greenville. The manufacturers know that sludge will form with time and they design engines to live with it. In engines with variable valve timing, the sludge actually acts as a sealing agent between the cylinders and the piston systems that prevent oil from leaking and thus, getting wasted. You get better combustion and higher fuel efficiency with the sludge deposits on the engine surface.
Additionally, when you add an engine flush agent to a variable valve timing engine, the loose sludge can clog up the various oil passages inside. You think that you just cleaned your engine but the sludge that remained inside will affect the machine more than when it was unclean. Engine flush is not good for all used cars in Greenville. There is a high chance you might not need it at all.
How do I understand if I need an engine flush?
Dealerships like Family Auto where the used cars and used trucks for sale in Greenville have odometer readings less than 175,000 miles do not require an engine flush. Such a timespan is not enough to build that much sludge which can choke up the engine. Also, if you are buying used cars that have clear maintenance histories and received all their recommended oil and filter changes, engine flushes are unnecessary. The clean oil was enough to keep the engine nearly sludge-free.
Family Auto of Taylors does not deal with used cars with excessively high mileage. We also give you a solid maintenance history. During your ownership of one of our quality used cars, know that whatever sludge the engine has is benefiting your used car. And you need not worry about engine longevity or anything you hear from your neighbours.