Coolant/Oil Residue. How do I clean it?

[cantrip]

I had a head gasket leak and when I drained the oil it was so thick and I can only imagine what the oil pan is like. It was even coating the inside of my valve covers so I'm sure its caked on in the pan. I was wondering what I should do because I don't want to finish fixing the car and have it run with some of that crap left in it.

Thanks.

[J Phillies]

Re: Coolant/Oil Residue. How do I clean it?

well the obvious would be to pull the pan and clean it out


but if you dont want to do that.....

after you get everything back together and put oil back in it... run it 20 miles or so ... then change the oil again ... then run it 100 miles or so and change it again ... should be pretty much cleared out by then ... just use your judgement when you drain it and repeat if neccessary

[kristen]

Re: Coolant/Oil Residue. How do I clean it?

i would pull it, and pressure wash it...or if you have a friend with a shop...let them clean it..

well worth it

[Opontee]

Re: Coolant/Oil Residue. How do I clean it?

You can use that engine flush stuff, like K&W, works real well, Make sure you follow instructions or you could hurt motor worse. May have to so it several times. Best to remove pan and clean it, who knows what is inside of the oil pump pickup.

[cantrip]

Re: Coolant/Oil Residue. How do I clean it?

I heard its hard taking it off with the motor in the car. True or no?

[caspernicus]

Re: Coolant/Oil Residue. How do I clean it?

If you're putting new headgaskets on the car, just clean everything you can see first.
Valve covers, bottom side of lower intake, lifter valley, etc.

Unfortunately I've done this a couple of times. It took two oil changes to clear it out
after draining the original gunk out. For the first one, dump some seafoam in with the oil
and let it idle for awhile. Drain the oil, change the filter, and put just oil back in. Let it
idle for awhile, drain it/swap filter. Pour in new oil, then you should be good to go.
Depending on how bad it is, you may have to do it again.

You can take the oil pan off, but it's a slight pain with the motor in the car.

[flamingchicken]

Re: Coolant/Oil Residue. How do I clean it?

If you're putting new headgaskets on the car, just clean everything you can see first.
Valve covers, bottom side of lower intake, lifter valley, etc.

Unfortunately I've done this a couple of times. It took two oil changes to clear it out
after draining the original gunk out. For the first one, dump some seafoam in with the oil
and let it idle for awhile. Drain the oil, change the filter, and put just oil back in. Let it
idle for awhile, drain it/swap filter. Pour in new oil, then you should be good to go.
Depending on how bad it is, you may have to do it again.

You can take the oil pan off, but it's a slight pain with the motor in the car.

also make your oil changes a bit more frequent for a while, and dont use crap oil or filters.