[silicon212]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

I've always drain a quart of oil out n replace it with diesel n run it about a day. Drain the oil and leave the plug out. Remove both rocker covers n pour diesel over both banks of rockers so that it flows down the oil returns. Pour enough until clean diesel comes out the pan hole. This flushes all the gunk on the bottom of the pan out the drain hole. I suppose this is a long way to do it, but I've never had a failure..

I've been doing the transmission fluid thing, and recommending the same, now for about 20 years. Also, I've heard of people doing the diesel thing for about the same amount of time, but I just can't see how that can be good on the bearings. It could also dislodge chunks of sludge that then plug up the oil pump screen - not good. ATF will dissolve the sludge, not cause it to break off in large chunks. On lesser engines (Ford ), chunks that get past the bypass hole in the screen can wedge in the pump gears and break the hexagonal oil pump driveshaft, causing even more problems, headaches and wallet-lightening moments.

Another thing to think about is the ability of the diesel to break down the lubricating properties of motor oil - something that ATF will not do.