Engine Flush = Wallet Flush
Some shops are offering customers an engine flush for around $150. The service consists of pumping heated cleaning solvents into the engine to “dissolve the sludge.” That may remove some of the surface deposits, but it merely softens the most severe trouble spots. Long after you’ve paid for the flush, the detergents in the new oil continue to break up the stubborn deposits. When that happens, the freed up grit can clog oil passages, causing oil starvation and catastrophic engine failures.
If you think about it logically, an engine flush makes no sense. Because, if your engine has a sludge problem, it’s the result of neglected maintenance and you’ve most likely already caused significant damage to your engine. No engine flush can ever fix that. Flushing hot solvent through a neglected engine only serves to flush your wallet of hard earned cash.
Bottom line: If you’ve taken care of your car by servicing it on a regular basis, you don’t need an engine flush. If you’ve neglected your engine by not servicing it, an engine flush may be the worst thing you can do. In fact, several auto makers have issued Technical Service Bulletins advising dealers NOT TO PERFORM engine flush procedures on their customer’s cars. Even if your particular car maker hasn't issued a bulletin advising dealer not to perform the service, it's important to note than NO manufacturer actually recommends it either.
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© 2007 Rick Muscoplat
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My shop recommended a throttle body and fuel injection service (I believe using the “Motor Vac” system).
Is this the same type of service you covered in this post? Quoted price was about $165.00.
Thanks
Wayne,
This falls into the same category as the engine flush=wallet flush. If your engine is running fine, with no check engine codes, this fuel injector service is a complete waste of money. All 3 domestic car manufacturers have TSB’s telling their dealers not to do this service unless there is a drivability problem.
The ONLY time to do a fuel injector cleaning is when you have a clogged fuel injector.
All name brand gasolines contain a fuel injector cleaner. That’s the best way to avoid clogged injectors.
Thanks for the great info Rick!!!
I’m glad I passed on the service as I currently don’t have any drivability problems or a check engine light that’s on.
- Wayne
On 6-18-2009 I took my SUV for a oil change during the oil change the technician at zap lube requested that I change the deffrential fluid on the vechicle which he did. On 9-22-09 I started to hear a banging noise coming from underneath the vechicle. I took the car to my mechanic on 9-24-09 the mechanic confirmed that my defferential was damaged the front and back a total cost of $675.00. I contacted zap lube on 9-24-09 in reference to this and so far no one has called me back when I do call them no one answers the phone. Could’ve this oil change damaged my car?
If they put in the wrong fluid or didn’t pour in the proper additive, they most definitely could have ruined the differentials. But you can’t approach them based on a guess. You need to have an expert evaluate the parts and write up their conclusions of what caused the failure. Then go to the shop in person and see if they’re willing to accept responsibility. If they won’t you may have to sue. The lesson here? Aside from engine oil changes, don’t let these shops do any other work.