Thread: What can I use to clean my oil galleries? "Liquid wise"

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I finally found my problem in my 400. I wasn't getting oil to my rockers because my oil gallery above the rear cam bearing was plugged. I pulled all expansion plugs out and I am now ready to thoroughly clean all oil galleries out. My question is what can I use with my engine brushes "liquid wise" to clean all the galleries? I heard to use detergent. Is this true?
I still have all my bearings in which are still like new. My crank is also still in there. Everything else is off the engine including the plug underneath the rear main cap.

kerosene

Why kerosene? I'm interested in learning why...is it because it leaves no residue or water? I don't think you should use water right? What about the laundry detergent? Will kerosene harm bearings? Thanks...

It'll cut all the gunk better than detergent and water. You still want to use soapy suds to do the final cleaning, then blast every nook and cranny with air. Go ahead and take the crank and bearings out to do this and use your small diameter bristle brushes to get into every oil passage.

probably wont take the crank out that should be allright shouldn't it? this engine is fairly new. I just plan to clean all the oil galleries out the best I can w/ the brushes and kerosene I guess.

So it's safe to say that kerosene and or detergent/water will not harm bearings-As long as you use compressed air on everything to dry it out? Correct?

Originally posted by onemangang
So it's safe to say that kerosene and or detergent/water will not harm bearings-As long as you use compressed air on everything to dry it out? Correct?

I would take Richards advice and take the engine completely appart. If you don't, when you clean the oil galleys out you will force some of the gunk (Possibly abrasive gunk) further downstream in the engine block. Then when you restart the engine you will flush the gunk through your engine/bearings/etc.

I use a 410ga. shotgon brass brush on the cleaning rod after squirting grease remover in the galleys.....Bill

i use carb cleaner as the last flush. it cuts better than anything i've found. but if you bust this stuff loose and it gets to your bearing you'll be rebuilding soon. i would break it down and treat it like a rebuild. leave your pistons and rods in but the crank and everything in the oil system needs to be clean.

Rislone/fast flush, brake fluid (just a bit), carb cleaner( a touch), don't run for more than 3-5 minutes and drain/flush.
if you can get any xylene/xylol in there it cuts the bad stuff to dust.

Marval Mystery oil works well also. Carlg

Excellent fellas...You all deserve a brown star!!!j/k

i had a motor flush that I used in my fiero. I added it to the oil let it run at a fast idle for like 20 minutes, not supposed to drive or put a load on it. then change the oil as usual. I had some carbon up on the head I used that and switched to synthetic oil and it cleaned it right up.

kerosene works good because its petroleum based ,same base as say engine oil--- take your crank out its not that much extra work --you ve come this far with it go all the way and finish like a champ not a chump. so much for machine shop huh. you said previous you found some problems just another one. if they tanked it that sludge was baked in there so its going to be like sandblasting when it comes out

I am not sure why but I have always used kerosene because my Dad did and it works great.