Flushing oil from engine

[rock_rebel]

I would like to get rid of all traces of previous oil/residue that might be still inside my engine. Is there some kind of engine flush I could use to do this?

[zirconx]

This isn't usually a good idea, why do you want to do it?

The auto store will sell "engine flush" stuff that you dump in, run the engine for a bit, then do an oil change.  Plain old transmission fluid is sometimes used as a "flush" too.

[Big Rich]

I've used about a 1/2 quart of kerosene before. Just add it to the crankcase, run it for 5 minutes and change the oil.

[rock_rebel]

I've used about a 1/2 quart of kerosene before. Just add it to the crankcase, run it for 5 minutes and change the oil.

Put it in the oil chamber? Not really an important reason why I want to do this, but I thought maybe after years and years of changing different brands of oil that it might affect the performance of the engine. I get Suzuki brand oil from the dealer as it's one of the cheapest in the city. It's just basic oil though, not synthetic.

[Big Rich]

Yep, right in the oil chamber. I work on older engines (older than the GS's) and it helps to get that sludge that hides in the corners of the engine.

And if you run kerosene heaters in the garage like me, a little bit is always handy.

[rock_rebel]

Would I do this and then start the bike? Wouldn't the kerosene ignite?

[johnny ro]

No. You pour it in where the oil goes. Not where the gas goes.

[ohgood]

i'd be afraid of loosening up some crap that would end up pluggin up somehting important.

[burning1]

If you want to clean out your engine, run a good ester based oil for a few changes. I strongly suspect that solvents will do more harm than good.

[sledge]

I know someone who tried flushing a 400/4 with kerosene, within 2 minutes it developed a big-end knock and the clutch plates swelled so much it wouldnt disengage. The benefits (if any) are far outweighed by the risks.......I say dont do it.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Yeah I say just first try to change the oil with the bike as hot as you can stand to try to get as much out as possible.

[scratch]

Do 2 oil changes back to back in the same day.

Warm up the engine, drain the oil, then dump half a quart of oil in there after it been draining for a while.
Change the filter and add oil.
Go for a ride.
Let it cool for an hour, change the oil and filter again (maybe dump the other half in there to flush it out again).