flushing

[325i/1993]

I was changing my valve gasket, so i was thinking of flushing the entire engine with diesel fuel and just let it drain overnight. Just like washing them because i saw some small sludge build up inside the tiny pocket corner of the engine. Is this something good and advisable? does it harm the inside of engine? wht about the piston, does it damage them if im doing it? what are the consequences?

[Manolito]

I doubt that it will hurt anything if you use clean diesel fuel, but it won't do much good either.

If you want to clear the sludge, you need something with some detergent characteristics, like ATF, or better yet, a product made for this job, like SeaFoam.

Whatever you use, make sure you get it all out.

[325i/1993]

Thanks for the adviced. What is a seafoam anyway? I heard them but im kinda clueless about it, can you give me some more advice on how to use and apply it?lol. regards.

[Manolito]

Seafoam is a brand of solvent that they sell in pint cans at many auto parts stores. Lots of folks swear by it. It is safe for oxygen sensors and catalytic converters and oil seals, so you can use it pretty much anywhere, but it is supposed to be pretty good at loosening carbon deposits and softening sludge. I have used it only once, to clear out an EGR tube that was blocked with carbon. I let it soak overnight and then ran a wire and rag through the tube. It seemed to work pretty well.