want to clean out oil system-as preventive

I have a 92' Ford Ranger with 2.9 V6 engine. This is the original engine and has not been rebuilt or overhauled. It seems to run very well at 222,000 miles. I do notice, however, a slight valve ticking/tapping that goes away when the engine has warmed up.

I am thinking it would be a good idea to clean out the oil system to rid itself of any sludge, gums, or varnish that might be accumulating. Can anyone suggest a solvent to do this? Someone mentioned kerosene years ago, but I don't know that I am comfortable using this.


Thanks,
Dave

I would use a detergent oil on the next oil change and change it in about 1000-2000 miles and change back to regular.I realy would not recomend any of that mechanic in a can stuff.If you realy want to know how dirty and sludged up the engine is pull off one of the valve covers and see.

By the way do not use kerosene I brang my car to the shop one day to have the rear seal done the mechanic washed the entire lower motor with kerosene with the pan off.And when I got the car back it had a spun bearing.Guess who paid for a new motor not me.

I'm not really a fan of oil additives either, but testimonials on another forum convinced me to try AutoRX on my car. And wow did it clean things up.. It's a pretty specific process, and it's not a $6 bottle that you can buy at the parts store. But it does work..

http://auto-rx.com/index.html

I do not believe in "The Miracle in a bottle" additives. Either maintain it, or rebuild it.

thanks to all for responding to my inquiry, "want to clean out oil system as preventive?

If you are worried about it that much just change the oil a lot . You would be amazed at how much nice new detergent oil will cut through sludge- if there is even any in there. Messing around with kerosene and such is just too risky on the bearings.

Probably the very most I would do to try and flush it is to run some thinner than usual but still motor oil for a while.