Waste of money ‘maintenance’
Discussion
jimPH said:
I personally don't like over serviced cars. GTR's are notorious, 6 monthly servicing rigidly adopted, but then the car has only done 30k in 8 years. A lot of CBA owners are moving to 12 monthly, but I still think some are over serviced.
Interesting point. And a genuine question - how can over servicing harm a car?Monkeylegend said:
You would think so but Mercedes don't always take the wheels off for a service, they do a visual check on the bit of the pad they can see with the wheels left on and guestimate the rest.
Many years ago it used to be part of the major service schedule but they dropped it when they moved to A & B service regime.Garages here (UK) generally won't rotate tyres even if you ask them. Funnily enough I had the winter wheels and tyres put on wife's car today and they checked me about three times that I really wanted them diagonally rotating (they're not directional). Tried having a row with Costco tyres (head office) about rotation, as they'll do in the US but won't do it here. They just stone-walled me.
Haven't been asked about engine flush in a dealer for years. The VW indie we use includes it in the service cost - I think it's about £8 on the bill. I've never asked about it but I think there's some scheme with indie garages where they get some insurance if they use it (but I might have dreamed that).
jagnet said:
Has anyone that uses these flushes ever looked under valve covers / dropped their sumps / etc before using flushes to see just how well modern oils keep modern engines clean?
Even on my Saab 9-5, with an engine that gained notoriety for sludge issues, I've never added a flush. Dropping the sump on it simply confirmed that there was indeed no need to. Zero sludge or crap in the bottom and nothing in the pickup strainer. Engine internals all had a lovely light golden varnish. Likewise with the top end, absolutely no build up after 130k miles.
If there is sludge, then 15 minutes at idle with a flush product isn't going to touch the problem. Nor is it going to fix the problem that's causing the sludge because if it is there and it's not down to missing the last half dozen oil changes or using the wrong oil, then clearly the engine has an issue that's causing it.
Agreed I recently changed the sump pan on a Smart Fortwo that had become porous. 15 years of only having the oil extracted via the dipstick tube as there is no sump plug & the same as you, no sludge or gunk at all. I was pleasantly surprised.Even on my Saab 9-5, with an engine that gained notoriety for sludge issues, I've never added a flush. Dropping the sump on it simply confirmed that there was indeed no need to. Zero sludge or crap in the bottom and nothing in the pickup strainer. Engine internals all had a lovely light golden varnish. Likewise with the top end, absolutely no build up after 130k miles.
If there is sludge, then 15 minutes at idle with a flush product isn't going to touch the problem. Nor is it going to fix the problem that's causing the sludge because if it is there and it's not down to missing the last half dozen oil changes or using the wrong oil, then clearly the engine has an issue that's causing it.
sc0tt said:
steveo3002 said:
premature wear on the sump plug threads,common issue on over serviced cars ....
I'd be quite happy to purchase a new sump plug on an over serviced car than a rebuild on an under serviced car
Nanook said:
My friend's garage is part of the 'Good Garage Scheme' (I think that's what it's called) and I'm sure he told me it's a requirement that they use these engine flushes as part of their service, to stay part of the scheme.
Hmm... Having just googled it, it seems the scheme is run by Forte, which might explain the demand for use of engine flush products!
This needs to be more widely publicised. It's nothing to do with being a good garage and all to do with buying product.Hmm... Having just googled it, it seems the scheme is run by Forte, which might explain the demand for use of engine flush products!
steveo3002 said:
premature wear on the sump plug threads,common issue on over serviced cars ....
Joking right? As for engine flush, not falling for that one. The only thing I want in my engine is decent clean oil of the correct spec, no added snake oil. Even if it was beneficial and the technicians were actually putting the stuff in I highly doubt most of them follow the instructions- as if they're going to go out there 15 minutes early, check oil level, reduce if necessary and put the stuff in, leaving the car idling. As if the foreman's going to let them.
"Another fag break Wayne? f
k's sake what do I pay you for, got cars coming out of me ears etc etc""Yeah I've gotta wait another 8 minutes for the engine flush in that Carina..."
If people didn't pay it, they wouldn't be charging it.
Rather than being miffed at the prices garages charge, people should direct thier anger at the idiots who have always paid what ever the dealer asks without question and allowed these prices to creep up to the outrageous level they now often are.
Rather than being miffed at the prices garages charge, people should direct thier anger at the idiots who have always paid what ever the dealer asks without question and allowed these prices to creep up to the outrageous level they now often are.
I must be one of the worst car owners in the world!
I generally drive 10+ yr old cars and by that point I give them only basic maintenance.
It recently occurred to me I have never once had the engine oil changed in a car unless it came as part of a service, and I only ever serviced cars once every couple of years, tops.
Very rarely do I open the bonnet and check fluids unless there is an issue.
So far, I have never had an engine or gear box go bang or wear out, it has always been something electrical or electronic that makes an old car not worth fixing, these days it's the ABS or airbags that always seem to go first!
I generally drive 10+ yr old cars and by that point I give them only basic maintenance.
It recently occurred to me I have never once had the engine oil changed in a car unless it came as part of a service, and I only ever serviced cars once every couple of years, tops.
Very rarely do I open the bonnet and check fluids unless there is an issue.
So far, I have never had an engine or gear box go bang or wear out, it has always been something electrical or electronic that makes an old car not worth fixing, these days it's the ABS or airbags that always seem to go first!
HustleRussell said:
steveo3002 said:
premature wear on the sump plug threads,common issue on over serviced cars ....
Joking right? As for engine flush, not falling for that one. The only thing I want in my engine is decent clean oil of the correct spec, no added snake oil. Even if it was beneficial and the technicians were actually putting the stuff in I highly doubt most of them follow the instructions- as if they're going to go out there 15 minutes early, check oil level, reduce if necessary and put the stuff in, leaving the car idling. As if the foreman's going to let them.
"Another fag break Wayne? f
k's sake what do I pay you for, got cars coming out of me ears etc etc""Yeah I've gotta wait another 8 minutes for the engine flush in that Carina..."
also how come the car makers never insist on its use , or if it was needed then a bottle would come come with your can of mobil1 etc to ensure it works well
what happens to the strong detergent left in the sump and valleys of the engine that dont drain 100%..im sure that does the brand new oil the world of good
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