Troubleshooting with Steve Rothwell

AUSTIN MINI FLUSHING QUERY

Q I have a 1971 Mini Clubman which I have owned for many years now. I regularly change the oil and filter and keep the engine servicing to a strict regime. However, I notice that the oil will still blacken after a couple of thousand miles and so I was considering using an engine flush before my next oil change. Colleagues have told me that this would not be a good move though, as it may shift sludge into unwanted areas. I am now slightly concerned that if I use a flush it may have an adverse effect on the engine and possibly the gearbox, which is not of course what I am hoping to achieve. Can you advise me please?

Gary Desborough

A Your colleagues are correct and the use of flush on your engine may be detrimental to it in the long term. As you have regularly changed the engine oil and filter, I believe you are doing the best thing by not introducing a flushing agent. Over time the engine may accumulate particles of carbon and sludge which will trap and retain tiny metal elements, but these will be safely trapped out of the oilways, normally sitting in the small recesses in the bottom of the sump/gearbox.

By using a flush, these elements will be released back into the lubrication system and whilst some may be flushed out harmlessly, any