Patent ID: 7422021

Claim:
A method for cleaning an oil strainer in an oil pan of an internal combustion engine from which substantially all lubricant has been drained, the method comprising: removing an oil filter from an oil filter boss of said engine and sealing a first opening on said boss through which oil flows to an engine block of said engine during normal operation of said engine; connecting a first conduit to said oil pan at a plug opening thereof; introducing a cleaning fluid into said oil pan; connecting a second conduit to a second opening on said boss of said engine; creating a closed circuit by disposing a pressure pump in communication with said first and second conduits, wherein said cleaning fluid is pumped and moves from said oil pan, through said second opening, through said oil strainer and back into said oil pan, wherein said cleaning fluid is pumped in a direction reverse that of oil flow in said engine as occurs during normal operation of said engine and wherein said cleaning fluid in said closed circuit flows at a pressure great enough to open a by-pass valve of an oil pump of said engine in said closed circuit and maintain said by-pass valve in an open position; and evacuating the cleaning fluid from the engine.