Engine flush?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
Engine flush?
My car is in the shop. When I started it up it sounded like a diesel and smoked. I had it trucked to the dealer and he tells me it had a partially collapsed lifter. It cured itself and they can't duplicate it now.
The "corvette tech" at the dealer is recommending an engine flush. Sounds like a bad idea to me. I even found reference to a service bulletin for '10 & '11 Chevrolet engines NOT recommending this type of service.
Comments on flushes and lifter problems in general solicited.
The "corvette tech" at the dealer is recommending an engine flush. Sounds like a bad idea to me. I even found reference to a service bulletin for '10 & '11 Chevrolet engines NOT recommending this type of service.
Comments on flushes and lifter problems in general solicited.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,106
Likes: 3,858
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
What kind if "engine flush" is he recommending exactly and what does he think it will fix?
If there's a Service Bulletin saying not to to it, there's the correct answer.
If there's a Service Bulletin saying not to to it, there's the correct answer.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
I only found a reference to a bulletin. Haven't seen the actual paperwork.
I don't know what flush procedure he's talking about. I've never heard of this before. I assume he thinks there's gunk in a lifter.
It's a 2011 with 32k miles.
I don't know what flush procedure he's talking about. I've never heard of this before. I assume he thinks there's gunk in a lifter.
It's a 2011 with 32k miles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
One time in my previous Vette (2006) I started it up and there was a WHOLE lot of clicking and clacking going on but no smoking. I thought I had a very serious problem going on. I shut it down and took a look under the hood and found nothing unusual. Started it back up and the engine noise was still there but slightly more subdued. Shut it down again and checked the oil level. Oil level was right where it should be. Restarted the car and again more subdued. Ran the engine at a higher RPM for a while (still sounding bad) but it went away after about 3-4 minutes. Never had the problem again and I went on to put 145,000 problem free miles on the car. I never really knew what the problem was but I suspect it was some kind of lifter problem. I was sure glad that it healed itself. Good luck with your car!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 144
From: on Barnegat Bay Joisey
Had a lifter problem caused by a bad head gasket that leaked a small amount of coolant into the oil. Picked up a small can of lifter cleaner you add to the oil and in a couple of days the clacking was gone for good. Fixed the head gasket by adding a tube of aluminum powdered looking sealant. Worked well for more than a year when I traded it in. Total cost was less than $5 compared to $650 for a new head gasket.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,982
Likes: 2,691
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
If OP's car has had the oil changed as per the DIC, then the only thing that's going to get flushed is his wallet.
Besides, shouldn't all of this be covered by the 5/100 powertrain warranty? Or were they planning to do the flush for free?
Besides, shouldn't all of this be covered by the 5/100 powertrain warranty? Or were they planning to do the flush for free?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
The dealer wanted $200 for a flush and oil change. I said no thanks just the oil change please. They replaced the leaking steering rack and aligned it to Pfadt street specs. I've only had a short drive but it feels good and I am pleased. This is the first time I've used this dealer for service.