[bmwhitman]

I have about 93,000 km on my E90 (~58,000 miles) and my oil change use to be about ~20,000 km (12,000 miles). After reading the forum and looking at some sludge build up in my engine, I plan to do more frequent changes (i.e. 8,000 kms).

I'm considering to do an engine flush on my next oil change. Is this recommended? I know there is a risk of failing the engine after a flush but wasn't sure if this was an old issue.

[tibra1]

If you change the oil at a decent interval its not necessary..you should consider doing a manual clean of the intake valves as they are prolly caked up pretty good.

[mike3000fl]

any pics of the sludge buildup?

i wouldn't flush, i would just use good oil and change more often.

[bmwhitman]

Originally Posted by mike3000fl

any pics of the sludge buildup?

i wouldn't flush, i would just use good oil and change more often.

No didn't have a camera at the time. All based on memory.

All I remembered was the crud around the piston rings and valve cover.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by bmwhitman

All I remembered was the crud around the piston rings and valve cover.

Wow. You actually saw the rings? Talk about major overhaul.

Really need to see a pic. I'm assuming you mean sludge and not varnish. You didn't say what oil you're running but Mobil 1 is typically known to clean things up. (M1 0w-40 or if you have a diesel M1 ESP 5w-30).

I'd be surprised there was anything substantial.

good luck.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by bmwhitman

I have about 93,000 km on my E90 (~58,000 miles) and my oil change use to be about ~20,000 km (12,000 miles). After reading the forum and looking at some sludge build up in my engine, I plan to do more frequent changes (i.e. 8,000 kms).

I'm considering to do an engine flush on my next oil change. Is this recommended? I know there is a risk of failing the engine after a flush but wasn't sure if this was an old issue.

I have been using engine flushes ever since I bought my car. I use GUNK motor flush. With the about of sludge and soot that builds up in our engine, with long oil drain intervals, I'd say its a must.

[bmwhitman]

Originally Posted by Socom

Wow. You actually saw the rings? Talk about major overhaul.

Really need to see a pic. I'm assuming you mean sludge and not varnish. You didn't say what oil you're running but Mobil 1 is typically known to clean things up. (M1 0w-40 or if you have a diesel M1 ESP 5w-30).

I'd be surprised there was anything substantial.

good luck.

I was in for a valve cover gasket repair, that's how I noticed it.

[Brian_TII]

You can't see the rings with the valve cover off. I wouldn't flush it... At most I'd bump up the frequency of changes.

[Chriztofor]

curious, what oil do you use?

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Socom

Wow. You actually saw the rings? Talk about major overhaul.

Really need to see a pic. I'm assuming you mean sludge and not varnish. You didn't say what oil you're running but Mobil 1 is typically known to clean things up. (M1 0w-40 or if you have a diesel M1 ESP 5w-30).

I'd be surprised there was anything substantial.

good luck.

I doubt the OP knows what he is talking about, or at least doesn't know what he was looking at. As you well know, first off you can't see the "piston rings" with the valve cover off (unless maybe your Superman with x-ray vision). Second, piston rings would not have sludge on them anyway even of you could see them. The OP must be takling about some other part of the cylinder head. I think he saw some oil satins on the round openings of the spark plug holes where the valve cover gasket seats around the holes, which would be normal. I doubt the OP even knows what oil sludge even looks like...

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by bmwhitman

I have about 93,000 km on my E90 (~58,000 miles) and my oil change use to be about ~20,000 km (12,000 miles). After reading the forum and looking at some sludge build up in my engine, I plan to do more frequent changes (i.e. 8,000 kms).

I'm considering to do an engine flush on my next oil change. Is this recommended? I know there is a risk of failing the engine after a flush but wasn't sure if this was an old issue.

OP, I used a Motor Flush, every oil change (8,500 mile intervals). Take a look at what my engine looks like at 87K miles:

Post #3:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601122

[queensfield]

So, you add Gunk motor flush to engine, let it idle for few minutes, then change the oil. Is that the right way to use it?

[richster77]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

OP, I used a Motor Flush, every oil change (8,500 mile intervals). Take a look at what my engine looks like at 87K miles:

Post #3:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601122

Any chance the GUNK flush caused your oil pan gasket to deteriorate?

[Simple5]

Fill you engine with diesel gas.. enough lube in there so motor doesnt seize and cleans up really good.. run it and drain it... clean engine

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by richster77

Any chance the GUNK flush caused your oil pan gasket to deteriorate?

this is what i was wondering. i have 140,000mi and my gasket does not leak.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by queensfield

So, you add Gunk motor flush to engine, let it idle for few minutes, then change the oil. Is that the right way to use it?

Yes.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by richster77

Any chance the GUNK flush caused your oil pan gasket to deteriorate?

Not at all. There is a DIY on the pan gasket from a guy with an '07 E90, that didn't use motor flush. If you've researched enough on our car, you will see that there are several gaskets that will leak after 50K miles: Transmission, oil filter housing, etc.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by mike3000fl

this is what i was wondering. i have 140,000mi and my gasket does not leak.

Yes it does. You didn't check because You have to put it up on a lift to check. You also need a flash light, because its hidden underneath a bunch of stuff. I bet you any amount of money, its seeping.

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

Yes it does. You didn't check because You have to put it up on a lift to check. You also need a flash light, because its hidden underneath a bunch of stuff. I bet you any amount of money, its seeping.

i know you know your stuff so it's hard to say i disagree, but i have removed those fairings on the underside around 130,000 trying to find a rattling noise from a heatshield or something and while looking around didn't notice any signs of a leak around the pan. In all fairness though, i wasn't under there looking for a leak so i may have missed it, but it looked fine to me while poking around. rattling came from a bracket near the transmission in case anyone was wondering.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

Yes it does. You didn't check because You have to put it up on a lift to check. You also need a flash light, because its hidden underneath a bunch of stuff. I bet you any amount of money, its seeping.

Mine's not leaking at 158,000. I have a lift and I have looked at the entire pan lip.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Mine's not leaking at 158,000. I have a lift and I have looked at the entire pan lip.

Good for you. Must be that LL01 approved Mobil 1, that TrackRat gave you.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

Good for you. Must be that LL01 approved Mobil 1, that TrackRat gave you.

Nope, I'm BMW 5W-30 all the way, from my Boyz at Tischer. Where is TrackRat anyway?