Mordo,
I wouldn't recommend filling the engine with
solvent.  If you've been using a good quality
detergent lubricant you shouldn't need to flush
it out.  A lot of people have switched to using
synthetic lube in engine, transmission, etc.
The problem with flushing with solvent is:
the solvent will wash all the lubricant and purge
the oil from the hydraulic lifters. You definitely
don't want this to happen. Your lifters are primed
with oil. You'll notice significantly more noise the
next time you start your engine if oil is removed from
the lifters.
You also wash the lubricating film of oil off your
friction components of your engine(bearings, pistions,
cyl walls, etc.
I'd just make sure to use good quality lube and change
it and the filter frequently.

Jerry
KY 88 GL BUS-ter

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
mordo
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 2:09 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Flushing the crankcase

Okay, here's one for eveyone's amusement:

Would there be a benefit to draining the crankcase of oil, filling with
mineral spirits, letting it soak for a few hours, disabling the spark and
then cranking the engine to work it around? Seems to me it could help to
remove some gunk from the case and galleys.

Anyone tried this or something similar?

--
mordo
1990 Carat