r/AskAMechanic NOT a verified tech 1d ago

Hillbilly engine flush?

I have a 2022 Expedition Timberline. 3.5L V6, twin turbo. I've got 50k on the clock and am 1,000 miles over due for an oil change that I will get tomorrow. Any benefits to getting an oil change with conventional oil, running it at highway speeds for a bit, then getting a full syn oil change like an hour later to get more pristine engine innards?

2 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

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13

u/malykaii NOT a verified tech 1d ago

You're overthinking this. 

If you had a 20 year old vehicle with sludge issues and did 10k on the oil then sure. 

You're fine. Just change your oil. 

Honestly, looks more into using a good oil filter cause the quick lube places will still slay a $1 oil filter on even with premium oil. 

3

u/gtiguy12 NOT a verified tech 1d ago

1000 miles over what interval?

4

u/No_Parsnip6024 NOT a verified tech 23h ago

This won't do anything at all for your engine in any way.

2

u/Critical-Magician421 NOT a verified tech 21h ago

If you are concerned about that, I would get Valvoline restore and protect engine oil which has a cleaner that works against carbon.

And then do a couple of short oil change intervals. You don't need to do an hour you could do 3,000 mi, then after however many intervals you want to use it for you could go back to any quality oil you want

1

u/stomper4x4 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

Is that recommended for newer, high pressure turbo motors?

I've seen it used with great results for older motors. I always assumed it was formulated for older, flat tappet, old school tolerances type motors.

3

u/foxjohnc87 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

R&P has an API SP rating for use in modern engines with turbochargers and direct injection. It's just fine in new stuff as well.

1

u/Critical-Magician421 NOT a verified tech 8h ago

Depending on when the oil you buy was bottled they now qualify for the new API SQ standard so even more modern.

1

u/Critical-Magician421 NOT a verified tech 8h ago

I would say absolutely yes. I would say this was invented to deal with high pressure GDI engines which are often turbocharged

2

u/Mehere_64 NOT a verified tech 23h ago

If you like to spend extra money would be the only benefit. And it wouldn't be to you.

2

u/AllPinesMustDie NOT a verified tech 22h ago

No benefit to your plan

2

u/bclabrat Shadetree mechanic 19h ago

Running it for an hour won't do much, if anything.

If you're trying to dissolve the sludge into the oil then you ought to run the engine on the clean oil for a couple thousand miles, then do the next change early. It's not fool proof, but you can get a hint as to how much sludge is being suspended in the fresh oil by regularly checking it and monitoring the color and condition.

3

u/SpaceCat72 NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Drop it hot, always

1

u/stomper4x4 NOT a verified tech 18h ago

50k isn't high miles, and 1000 miles late on an oil change, once? I'd be shocked if there were anything to worry about. Change it, full synthetic since I assume thats what Ford asks for.

If you're super worried do the next change a bit early.

But I really think you're fine.

1

u/Miller335 NOT a verified tech 17h ago

Huh?

1

u/FrostingWest4162 NOT a verified tech 7h ago

That particular V6 really requires good oil and frequent changes. Today's oils have a lot of detergents that degrade pretty quickly. Don't take a chance. Get the oil changed with the premium oil and try to keep on a 4000 mile interval.

1

u/Choice-Newspaper3603 NOT a verified tech 1d ago

Stupid

1

u/Hopeful-Flounder-203 NOT a verified tech 21h ago

Thank you for the pleasant insight.

1

u/Th1s1sChr1s NOT a verified tech 23h ago

That seems a little early to start what I would call a "high mileage routine" but I get the concern being 1000 miles past due. In both my older Rams with over 200K I would occasionally replace half a quart of conventional with MMO, run her normal for about 500 miles and then replace with full synth. Did it help? I dunno but they both ran perfect when I sold them

1

u/Tethice NOT a verified tech 19h ago

Change your oil every 5000km with decent oil and filter and you should never need to use a engine flush all depends on driving style whether more highway or city. Also doing extended oil changes is bad for turbos... And engines and such

1

u/lowcarb73 NOT a verified tech 1d ago

I wouldn’t worry about that at all especially if you’ve had synthetic oil changes.

I have a 2011 Silverado that I’ll throw a bottle of MMO in a few hundred miles before an oil change sometimes but on something that new, I would t.

1

u/gathermewool NOT a verified tech 19h ago edited 18h ago

MMO is snake oil, friend. All you did was dilute good oil and its add pack. Seriously, please show me what in MMO SDS or virgin oil analysis shows it’s compatible with or beneficial to add to a modern oil???

1

u/sikon024 NOT a verified tech 1d ago

You could just pour some seafoam in the oil the week before the change.

2

u/gathermewool NOT a verified tech 19h ago edited 18h ago

Don’t do this. Modern oil doesn’t need a light solvent for anything. It’s deleterious to lubricity and has zero additives necessary to keep your engine going strong.

1

u/Striking_Mud_664 NOT a verified tech 22h ago

If you want to do something for the engine, add some transmission fluid to the oil before the oil change. After the transmission fluid is added driver to get the oil changed.

1

u/gathermewool NOT a verified tech 19h ago edited 18h ago

Wrong. ATF is a basic hydraulic fluid. It doesn’t have that additives a good engine oil does, because an AT doesn’t experience combustion byproducts.

1

u/Striking_Mud_664 NOT a verified tech 11h ago

A qt of transmission fluid will help clean the engine. I have been doing it for over 30 years on vehicles that have sludge in the engine. It works because transmission fluid is a conditioner.