Motor Flush

Motor flushes technically offer some marginal benefit in that they can clean out varnishes and other deposits, but you have to remember that most of those deposits are deposited where it doesn't matter, not on bearing surfaces. Plus, engine oils today are loaded with detergents, so it is not the problem it was back when Dad was tooling around in his '58 Buick.

The chemicals in these "flushes" actually dilute your oil while they are "working," which is some risk in itself, plus they are very alkaline and any residues left after draining can affect the chemical make-up of your new oil.

Of course, all of this is profoundly influenced by IPIPS -- the Incremental Performance Imperative Paranoia Syndrome -- a primal urge/anxiety that forces us to grab products that promise to somehow do that extra something that oil companies and engine designers have kept a secret all these years. It is an overwhelming compulsion that does not bow to reason.

So, all of this suggests...if you want to add a motor flush, go ahead, especially if you've never done it before. Even if your engine doesn't feel better, you will -- and that resevoir of goodwill will matter someday when you are faced with something that really has to be done on your e30. Most of these motor flushes are equally ineffective, so feel free to use Pep Boys, Gunk or whatever else you find on the shelf. Don't do it every time you change your oil (assuming you do change every 3K miles). Just remember not to rev the engine, don't keep it in any longer than recommended and make sure you pull the drain plug and go change the lower control arm bushings or something else that will take a lot of time so it all drains out.

If at your next oil change you feel those IPIPS urges welling up, just redirect yourself to your brake fluid resevoir, power steering resevoir, coolant tank or drip pan on your refrigerator. They will appreciate the attention.
Happy flushing!

Paul "Skip" Heagen