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To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 1:48 pm
by philiano
Hi
I'm about to do an oil change on my MK2 Rocco, and I'm wondering whether running an engine flush through it would be a good idea?
I've read a few posts on other sites about it doing more harm than good. Only reason I'm thinking of doing it is because the tappets have been noisier than usual recently, and I've just changed the Rocker gasket.

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:37 pm
by lenny125
The best thing to do is just drain about a litre of oil out and then put in auto transmisson oil in and run it for about 100 miles, that normally does well with the tappets. Plus as it is oil and not a oil flush it won't do any harm. I know some oil flushs can eat up your valve stem seals, if I did have to use any flushs I would use a make called Forte. I have used them in the past and they seem fine, I have not had a car back from using that with the car loosing any oil.

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:20 am
by markh
Always use genuine VW oil filters on an oil change, as they have a valve inside which helps stop the oil draining back into the sump so quickly when the engine is switched off, and theyre about the same price as cheap non genuine filters.

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:07 pm
by ianaudia4
Agree with Mark, I paid £2.80 for a filter from the dealer, cheaper than anywhere else!

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:54 pm
by Nate
no flush. on older or high mileage cars you are more likely to cause harm.

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:54 pm
by scirocogtx
Personally wouldn't use a flush on all oil changes but would do it sporadically, after every few changes.

I suppose it also depends on what kind of driving that a person does. If an engine is well thrashed or used on long journeys it probably doesn't need a flush. If it's used mostly on short journeys I would use a flush more often otherwise you may have problems with carbonisation/coking.

Leaving an engine running with a lot of crud in it will harm your engine. Removing all the crud may also give you problems. 'Horses for courses'

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:38 pm
by philiano
cheers guys. I've decided against flushing it through for the time being. I went to Halfords today, and according to their books, they recommend 10w 40 for a Scirocco, which is weird, because I'm sure in the Haynes it said 15w 40?

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:59 am
by chopperoli
markh wrote:Always use genuine VW oil filters on an oil change, as they have a valve inside which helps stop the oil draining back into the sump so quickly when the engine is switched off, and theyre about the same price as cheap non genuine filters.
Genuine OEM filters = MAHLE, Knecht, Mann, etc. Any GSF filter will be fine

Re: To flush or not to flush?

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:30 pm
by Funky Diver
philiano wrote:cheers guys. I've decided against flushing it through for the time being. I went to Halfords today, and according to their books, they recommend 10w 40 for a Scirocco, which is weird, because I'm sure in the Haynes it said 15w 40?
Image

Taken from the original owners manual of 1989 suitable for ALL engines including 16valve. I'll let you draw your own conclusions from it :)