3 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Oil Flushing Services

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For industrial equipment managers, ensuring that the machines are running in good condition is an important task, and regular oil flushing is part of the process. It involves emptying the engine of worn oil, which helps the engine run smoothly. That said, oil flushing should be conducted with care because mistakes can lead to potential damages. It is especially the case if you are performing an oil flushing service for the first time on your industrial engines. This article highlights common mistakes industrial equipment managers should avoid. 

Using Turbulent Oil Flow -- The primary reason engines need an oil flush is to remove old oil and its contaminants from not only the reservoir but also the entire system. That is why the flush-oil and rinse-oil must be run through the entire system to dislodge and eliminate contaminants. The flow of oil in the engine should be strong enough to remove stubborn contaminants. When this happens, it is easy to increase the pressure and create a turbulent flow to deal with stuck contaminants. Notably, sizable chips of metal can easily damage a screw thread if they are exposed to turbulent oil flow. Therefore, ensure that the flush oil in the engine is strong enough to dislodge debris, but not turbulent. 

Flushing only One Direction -- When oil flushing a relatively new engine, it is common for the process to be conducted one way. The flush and rinse oil are pumped into the engine in only one direction. What if you are dealing with a relatively old engine? This approach would not work because you do not know the extent of engine wear as well as the oil's age. Therefore, oil flushing in a single direction might lower your chances of cleaning the engine thoroughly. A better strategy is to flush the engine in both directions since that is the quickest way you can deal with possible stubborn debris. 

Using Less-Viscous Oil -- One crucial characteristic of flushing oil is that it should carry loose particles easily. This often encourages some technicians to use oils with a low viscosity to try to pick up as much debris as possible inside the engine. Unfortunately, less-viscous flushing oil is susceptible to turbulence under high pressure, and that is the last thing you want. Therefore, using more viscous flushing oil is the most appropriate methodology because it is difficult to increase the flow rate. Additionally, the right flushing oil can also pick up loose debris and force lodged contaminants through easily.  

To learn more, contact a company that offers oil flushing services.


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