Is It Necessary to Clean the Oil Passage at 20,000 Kilometers?
3 Answers
No, automotive oil passages typically include two types: engine oil passages and fuel passages. The correct frequency for cleaning oil passages is essential, as it is an indispensable part of vehicle maintenance. However, it is crucial to choose the appropriate time for this procedure. Similarly, cleaning oil passages requires selecting the right timing. If oil passages are never cleaned, carbon deposits and sediments can accumulate, clogging the fuel injector needle valves and valve orifices, affecting the performance of precision components in the injection system. This can lead to issues such as poor fuel injection, inadequate atomization, or even complete failure to inject fuel. Below is relevant information: Engine oil passages: These refer to the internal pathways through which engine oil circulates within the engine. Fuel passages: Also known as the fuel system, these refer to the path fuel takes from the fuel tank to the engine combustion chamber. These pathways are used almost every time the engine starts and are as vital as the blood vessels in the human body. The main components of the oil passage system include: oil seals, filters, oil pumps, oil pipes, pressure regulators, and fuel injectors (only in fuel passages).
I don't think it's necessary to clean the oil passages at 20,000 kilometers. The interior of a new car remains quite clean during the first few years, and as long as you change the oil and oil filter on time, the oil passages will stay clear. I've been driving for five or six years and have specifically asked several experienced mechanics. They all said that unless the engine is already showing obvious problems, cleaning them is a waste of time. Nowadays, full synthetic oils have excellent cleaning capabilities, and changing the oil every 5,000 kilometers will flush out impurities. If you often drive in dusty areas, you can check the oil color in advance, but at 20,000 kilometers, it's definitely not necessary to clean them. Instead of spending money on unnecessary cleaning, it's better to invest in higher-quality oil.
When we encounter car owners with this kind of mileage during repairs, we mostly do not recommend cleaning the oil passages. Unless the car has low mileage but has been driven at low speeds for a long time, such as being stuck in city traffic every day, and the engine carbon deposits are particularly noticeable, then we consider cleaning. For cars that are normally driven on highways, the oil passages are not easily clogged. The key is to check the maintenance records. If the car has been serviced with regular oil changes on time, sludge simply cannot accumulate. Instead, be cautious of some repair shops pushing unnecessary services, as poor-quality cleaning agents might even corrode the pipelines. It's better to refer to the maintenance manual—the manufacturer's recommendations are the most reliable basis.
