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Can you use oil system cleaners?

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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 02:15 PM
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From: Chy-Town
Question Can you use oil system cleaners?

Ok my question is can you use the oil system cleaners on a rotary engine is it safe? The type im talking about is the type u replace one quart of oil in your oil change with an oil system cleaner. The reason I ask is because I can see that notorious greasy creamy looking goo inside the oil filler tube. So im thinking of throwing some of that oil system cleaner in my next oil change to hopefully clean some of the creamy looking **** in there?

Thanks
Jorge
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 03:49 PM
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I would say no to oil cleaners. most of the ones i've seen are not good for rotaries.

Regarding the creamy goo, search. I don't have specifics on it but its pretty normal for it to occur. Took me a while to believe it but it is. Just clean it up. An oil system cleaner won't affect that.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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I wouldn't recommend it. You can never get all the cleaner out of the system as some will stay within the rotors, oil coolers and also the omp will inject a small amount and might be detrimental to some of the engine internal seals.

creamy oil froth is an indication that the car is driven short distances and never really taken up to operating temperatures for enough time.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by neit_jnf
I wouldn't recommend it. You can never get all the cleaner out of the system as some will stay within the rotors, oil coolers and also the omp will inject a small amount and might be detrimental to some of the engine internal seals.

creamy oil froth is an indication that the car is driven short distances and never really taken up to operating temperatures for enough time.

That is true. When i changed my oil, there was this milky liquid on my dipstick that was left there from the oil flush.

I dont drive the car alot so when i cant, i just warm it up and let it idle so it just doesnt sit there for long periods of time without start. When i take it out, i do short trips. But i try to WOT the car to at least get rid of any carbon that might be in the engine.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 06:14 PM
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Thanks guys that’s what I was thinking that oil system cleaners cant be good for a rotary that’s why I had to ask.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 11:45 AM
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I've been through countless engines, and I've yet to see one with any sort of "badness" in the oil system that a cleaner would fix. This really isn't a rotary problem - piston engines get all sorts of junk built up on the valve train and the like, but rotaries just don't have that problem.

Now, the cooling system is another thing. Once a year, drain the cooling system and refill with 50/50 antifreeze and DISTILLED water. You can get a gallon of distilled water at Walmart for like 60 cents. Most every engine I've been through has a dead spot where all the silt and sand from using tap water collects. Also, coolant will start corroding the aluminum as time goes by, it breaks down. Yearly changes will solve that.

As stated, the white goo on the oil cap is totally normal - it's just a mix of condensation and oil vapor. The RX-8 guys were mystified by it - brand new RX-8's do the exact same thing. Totally normal.

Dale
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 02:49 PM
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Creamy goo in the filler neck is usually moisture. Change the oil more often.
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