I've never drained every last bit of oil out.. although occasionally I'll use a flushing agent... especially on the Stilo (who was born to the Dark Side).
Most engine flushes are made up of 90% kerosene and that doesn't affect the seals (otherwise your oil would similarly affect them)... so sometimes I even use just kerosene (c/o your local garden centre). It does seem to dissolve more black stuff.. especially in the Stilo so it's worth it. Add it to very hot oil and let the engine fast-idle for 10 minutes or so (light revving and no load at all).
Anyways.. the oil comes out black and nasty. Since there's some kerosene in there I let the beast drain a very long time. Then I fit a new filter.. refill it with clean oil and that's that.
I don't worry about the oil pressure light taking a little while to go out. There's enough oiliness in the engine to protect your bearings and camshafts. Just let it idle for a while to get the new oil everywhere and Roberto is your mother's brother. Sometimes a quick blip of the gas will put the light out.
Last time I had one of my motors in pieces (water pump failed) the cams etc. were looking magnifico. Similarly no real wear on any of the camshaft lobes or bearings although they were clearly not "as new". Pistons looked good.. just minor wearing off of the Teflon facing. Crank shaft shells etc. were also "not bad". Engine had 152,000 miles and burnt no oil worth mentioning which is pretty amazing when I tell you it was an Alfa Twin-Spark..
Anyways.. modern oil is pretty good... so no need to be too anal with it. Just change it every 12,000 miles (or whatever the book says for your car). If you want extra protection, change it at half the intervals. Your engine won't ever wear out.
Ralf S.
Most engine flushes are made up of 90% kerosene and that doesn't affect the seals (otherwise your oil would similarly affect them)... so sometimes I even use just kerosene (c/o your local garden centre). It does seem to dissolve more black stuff.. especially in the Stilo so it's worth it. Add it to very hot oil and let the engine fast-idle for 10 minutes or so (light revving and no load at all).
Anyways.. the oil comes out black and nasty. Since there's some kerosene in there I let the beast drain a very long time. Then I fit a new filter.. refill it with clean oil and that's that.
I don't worry about the oil pressure light taking a little while to go out. There's enough oiliness in the engine to protect your bearings and camshafts. Just let it idle for a while to get the new oil everywhere and Roberto is your mother's brother. Sometimes a quick blip of the gas will put the light out.
Last time I had one of my motors in pieces (water pump failed) the cams etc. were looking magnifico. Similarly no real wear on any of the camshaft lobes or bearings although they were clearly not "as new". Pistons looked good.. just minor wearing off of the Teflon facing. Crank shaft shells etc. were also "not bad". Engine had 152,000 miles and burnt no oil worth mentioning which is pretty amazing when I tell you it was an Alfa Twin-Spark..
Anyways.. modern oil is pretty good... so no need to be too anal with it. Just change it every 12,000 miles (or whatever the book says for your car). If you want extra protection, change it at half the intervals. Your engine won't ever wear out.
Ralf S.
Last edited: