Engine oil flush?

Hello everyone,

I am still reasonably new to the vintage Caterpillar game, however I doing my best to make up for lost time. LOL (I giggle, as I imagine Juiceman saying …”Hoarder”

At any rate, like many of us…several of the items I have acquired, sat for years or even multiple decades prior to coming to their new home. My normal “first” lubrication routine has been hit everything with a zerk, hit all the large button heads, top off the finals, replace the transmission oil (and boot), clean and replace oil bath air cleaner(s) oil, then once I confirm it’s is a runner….engine oil and filter. My thought being, if I have to tear into the engine, or it isn’t an immediate-ish runner….I am not wasting new oil.

With that said, I can also see two trains of thought on the issue. 1) If the machine has been sitting for years, conceivably every last drop of old dirty oil is in the pan and fibers of the filter. Perfect conditions for draining. 2) If it runs prior to the change, perhaps you increase your chances of suspending the inevitable sediment and micro-debris that is in the engine. Thus having it coming out in the oil, during the change. Applicable to either theory would be the goal of removing any sediment, carbon or sludge debris.

Out of sheer idle curiosity, does anyone use anything other than standard 15-40? Is anyone adding seafoam, Marvel or any other products to their oil regularly or prior to “first” oil change?

As always, thanks much

Breadler

Hi Breadler, apologies if it seems like I'm always responding to your posts - they're good interesting posts so they're good to respond to. Anyhoo, I agree on sucking up the crud since it settles out of the oil over time. Cracking open the drain plugs is a good idea before turning over the engine and many do it, or go the whole hog and drain/refill with fresh. Probably "depends" on the situation and the condition of the oil, etc. I just use "regular" diesel engine oil 15-40 or whatever the store has on the shelf. For old clunkers that don't run often, it matters more that the oil is clean than what grade it is, within reason. The only thing I'd stick to is using diesel oil rather than gasoline, unless in a pinch, since the former contains additives to keep the contaminants in suspension. I don't bother with additives but some swear by it and perhaps some of them help with cleaning crud out of a dirty engine although I'd think that getting the engine to operating temperature / hot and running it at rated rpm would be necessary too to do a good job.

2 cent opinion - First thing I would be worried about with crankcase oil -- WATER (or fuel) CONTAMINATION - You certainly do not want to form an emulsion to lubricate the bearings. Secondly - depending upon what you find when your "crack" the drain plug, you can determine how bad the contamination or sludge buildup is at that point and make a decision from there. Warm engine and oil run much better and is the better option IF you are not pulling contaminates to the rest of the system in the warm up operating procedures. I would be concerned about running an engine at top RPM and under load with unknown lubrication and unknown conditions, let it warm up at high idle, you can put a piece of cardboard or canvas over the radiator to speed that process up too. **** GASOLINE - is a NO NO NO for any purpose other than GASOLINE ENGINE FUEL. Too many problems and additives along with the volatility issues. *** Lubricating oil has evolved greatly over the years, additives have improved the life and lubrication properties greatly. The "old school" beliefs still stick with many of us, yet as products change and availability changes so must we change our thinking. Non-Detergent Oils are harder to find, even oils that are not blends of Synthetic are harder to find too. Monitor the new oil change - watch for contamination. - cts

delo gold 15w40 is what we use in ours its a straight mineral oil. bit of history delo was originally a standard oil company trademark and was developed in conjunction with caterpillar. as cat supplied the testing engines. delo stands for diesel engine lubricating oil.

of course it is now a texaco/chevron trademark.

the best engine flush is oil.

or buy a commercial engine flush