Best engine flushing oils in 2020

Engine Flush is a chemical additive designed to clean accumulated deposits, sludge and other contaminants from your engine. You pour it into the engine oil filling hole and idle for about 10-15 minutes. It mixes with the oil and circulates through the motor to help dissolve sludge and clean up deposits. Then you drain the oil (along with most of the trash), change the oil filter, add fresh oil, and return to driving. To determine which flushing oil to use, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the options available on the market and their features.

How deposits and sludge form inside the engine

Over time, harmful deposits and sludge can build up, resulting in reduced power and performance. The tiny holes in the oil feed tube screen can easily become clogged with silt, depleting the engine oil. Sediments and sludge can form for several reasons, including:

• Frequent short trips that prevent the oil from fully heating up and evaporating moisture.
• "Swallowing" airborne dirt.
• Fuel liquefaction.
• High temperature that breaks down the oil.

When it settles, sludge can clog the narrow oil passages or screen on the oil collection tube, restricting oil flow to vital parts, especially the overhead valve system. Deposits can cause rings to stick, reducing compression and power.

Is it possible to remove engine sediment

Yes. Suitable detergents in the correct concentration can dissolve dirt, deposits and varnishes in the motor. Ideally, no sediment will form at all; however, sometimes mechanical problems such as a leaking head gasket occur and sludge builds up. If sludge forms, oily detergents help dissolve and disperse the sludge for cleaning.

This is harder than it sounds. For starters, the oil must serve several functions, not just to prevent sludge from forming in the engine. For this reason, oils contain a limited concentration of detergent (compared to engine flush) to provide room for other additives that protect against wear, oxidation, rust control and more.

Flushing agent, on the other hand, is intended solely for cleaning purposes. For example, AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush contains nothing but powerful detergents, making it a more effective cleaner than engine oil. In addition, it cleans at the molecular level, ensuring that deposits dissolve and are properly discharged from the engine along with oil when drained. This is important as some motorists fear that flushing the engine will loosen large chunks and cause an avalanche of debris that could clog the passages inside the engine. AMSOIL protects against this scenario.

Does the engine need flushing

A good mixture can help flush the engine better, shed deposits, dissolve sludge, and return your engine to a near new state. However, in older high-mileage engines, sludge may be the only barrier to oil seepage through worn or cracked seals. Soon, oil starts flowing in your engine, and you immediately associate a flush product with an oil leak.

If you suspect your vehicle falls into this category, leave it alone and skip the flush. It is probably not worth trying to restore a motor to such poor condition without first fixing bad seals or other defects. Basically, you choose your problem: either sludge and blockage deposits, or if you clean the motor, the seals show their true state.

In these cases, a strong detergent-based flush can help prepare the engine for new oil, loosen sticky valves or rings, and help remove harmful sludge. Although not a necessary step when switching to a synthetic engine oil, we recommend flushing the engine if you want your vehicle to return to its original performance.

5 benefits of flushing the engine

1. Prepares your engine for new oil.

Flushing the engine helps loosen sticky valves or rings and remove harmful sludge and other contaminants. By cleaning your engine before installing fresh oil, you will ensure that the new oil functions as intended and provides maximum protection. Fuel will be used up faster if it combats sludge and deposits from previous gasoline.

By the way, before switching to synthetic engine oil, experts do not require the use of flushing the engine and transmission, but they recommend flushing the engine if you want to give it a fresh start.

2. Helps increase fuel efficiency.

Contaminants circulating throughout the engine can lead to oil breakdown and increased viscosity, and higher viscosity oils require more energy to circulate throughout the engine. Sludge and deposits on engine parts can also increase drag, resulting in wasted fuel. Engine cleaning helps ensure efficient movement of parts for maximum fuel economy.

3. Helps reduce emissions.

If deposits on the piston rings cause them to stick together, oil can enter the combustion chamber. This not only leads to harmful deposits, but also increases exhaust emissions when burned oil comes out of the tailpipe. Flushing the engine well helps loosen stuck rings and reduce oil consumption, which in turn reduces emissions.

4. Helps reduce heat.

Excessive heat is bad for your engine and oil. Excessive heat reduces engine efficiency while increasing the rate at which the oil oxidizes (chemically breaks down). Sludge and deposits act as insulators that prevent heat dissipation from the motor in accordance with the design. Engine flushing helps ensure proper heat management for optimum performance and oil life.

5. Convenience.

It gives results after only one application, and the use will take only 10-15 minutes. In addition, you can safely use it in gasoline or diesel engines and automatic transmissions. While some solvent based flushing products require a cumbersome disposal process, flushing oils use a detergent based formulation. Thus, you can easily dispose of it with waste oil.

Rating of the best flushing oils in 2020

Let's take a look at some of the most effective, affordable and popular flushing oils of 2020.

Liqui Moly 2037

While you may not have heard of Liqui Moly before, that doesn't change the fact that they are known for their ethical excellence and quality. As a company founded in 1957, Liqui Moly has had ample time to refine its products and actually produce chemical products for over 4,000 different markets. This means Liqui Moly is well aware of all the nuances that an ingredient can have in your engine. All the more impressive is that Liqui Moly manages to deliver some of the best chemical products at the lowest cost possible.

Reliable formula

While Liqui Moly may be missing some of the high-tech components that other engine flushes have, they understand how to make an incredibly reliable flush. Thanks to its mixture of mineral oils and acids, Liqui Moly can gently break up sludge and other deposits without damaging various seals and components not made from durable metals.

Liqui Moly also has anti-wear agents in its formula, although you won't be aware of this due to the lack of advertising. However, antiwear agents are not as concentrated or effective as with other additives, so do not rely on Liqui Moly as your only antiwear additive.

Pros and cons

We cannot continue this review without revealing that Liqui Moly engine flush is for 4-stroke engines only. This means that various smaller two-stroke engines such as those found on ATVs are not compatible with this product. Of course, those with a 4-stroke engine can rest assured that Liqui Moly is manufactured in Germany to the highest environmental standards in the world. Manufacturing not only does not lead to toxic waste, but is also ethically sound.

Benefits:

• Made from mineral oils.
• Contains an acidic detergent.
• Less expensive engine flush.
• "Green" product.
• Has antiwear protection.

Disadvantages:

• Limited compatibility.

XADO engine oil system

XADO is definitely a unique company in the sense that they position themselves as a premium brand and even have a number of notable technological advances to prove this. However, they are not very popular despite their nearly 30-year history. This has more to do with their Ukrainian origins, but none of that should change the fact that flushing the Xado engine is a great option for a wide range of people. The main reason for this is that you don't have to worry about checking your engine or oil. This is why experts rate the product as the best all-round engine flush.

Main advantages

When choosing, it is very important to make sure that the engine flush is compatible with both the engine itself and the engine oil. This is largely due to the fact that the chemicals included in most washes are incredibly harsh - even when compared to chemicals already regularly used in vehicles. This is why the chance that Xado will work with all types of oil and all types of engines is so great.

Just buy your preferred engine oil, follow the instructions on the engine flush and you're good to go. Other products may require frequent user guidance and cross-referenced internet research just to be sure.

Additional components

The main active ingredient in Atomex TotalFlush doesn't differ too much from many other products available. Sulfonic acid and calcium salts do most of the hard work in terms of cleaning your engine, but there are a number of additional additives that provide additional benefits. For example, Atomex TotalFlush comes with anti-wear agents that increase the longevity of your engine. In addition, there are also additional lubricating agents that help condition the metal so that the new engine oil performs even better after the engine flush is complete - again, regardless of the type of engine oil.

Benefits:

• It is a synthetic flushing engine oil.
• Has universal compatibility.
• Highly refined mineral oil.
• Has antiwear additives.
• Has additional lubricants.

Disadvantages:

• Price.

Niteo Motor Medic MFD1

Niteo is a company you may not know, but its pedigree stretches across the ocean and includes several chemical giants. In fact, Niteo is heavily involved in procurement, led by Dallas-based firm Highland Partners, which is collecting some of the largest names in automotive chemistry. In addition to the Motor Medic brand, Niteo also owns Valvoline, the world's best-selling automotive fluid manufacturer. In fact, even SC Johnson's Glade air fresheners are licensed through Niteo.

When you use flushing, the expected performance will be that all dirt and sludge will be safely removed. With the Motor Medic MFD1 formula, you basically get all the other additives you would normally add to your motor oil. Sure, most of the additives in Motor Medic MFD1 will wash out with the sludge, but they do bring benefits and care during use. In addition to the expected dispersants and detergents, Motor Medic MFD1 also comes with anti-wear agents to protect your engine. In addition, this engine flush oil also includes additional lubricants that will further enhance the performance of the new oil after flushing is complete.

Rough impact

While Motor Medic MFD1 can provide some of the deepest cleanings and has many additives to increase its cost, it is also one of the tougher engine flushes in the rankings. In particular, this oil uses alcohol as one of its main cleaning agents. While this is especially effective when removing sludge and oil, it can also damage the engine if you don't follow instructions exactly. On top of that, if the engine itself is in a dilapidated state, Motor Medic MFD1 may well swallow its parts completely. Of course, after that the engine will no longer be repairable.

Benefits:

• Synthetic engine oil.
• Contains detergents.
• Contains dispersants.
• Contains antiwear and lubricants.
• Suitable for tuned motors.

Disadvantages:

• Harder than some other oils.

Lubegard 98901

As the name suggests, Lubegard is a brand that exclusively specializes in lubricants and lubricant-related products. Given that engine flush is designed to break down old, contaminated lubricants, it still fits into this category. Although the company may not be many years old, its 25-year history provides a lot of experience and knowledge. This is especially important when the kind people from Lubegaard are wondering why you flush your engine and then not protect the pure metal? That's why Lubegard gives you a 2-in-1 effect.

Light touch

One thing about Lubegaard that can be good or bad depends on the fact that his cleaning products are not the strongest. The product is made to prevent accidental damage to the engine and its components. This is especially true for engines that have unique or unusual materials used in their construction. However, if you have a high-performance engine that you have taken care of, then the Lubegard is a good choice for the range of 75 to 100 thousand km. But it's not a product that cleans up an old OEM engine that's been out on the street for half a century. However, the acid base is quite effective without being too harsh.

Back to basics

As befits a company that mainly deals with lubricants, one of the best qualities of Lubegard is that it also contains lubricant additives. However, unlike some other flushing oils, Lubegard additives are particularly effective. In fact, Lubegard lubricant additives can increase your engine oil's mileage by up to 30 percent. If you combine it with high quality engine oil that lasts between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometers, that's a significant increase. In addition, Bio-Tech Engine Protectant includes virtually all additive categories.

Benefits:

• Suitable for high performance engines.
• More gentle than others on the list.
• Less expensive engine flush.
• Has an acidic base.
• Contains additional lubricants.

Disadvantages:

• Not the most effective product.

RAVENOL J8A0101-400

Ravenol has been one of the best flush oils used by professionals for all the time cars were taken seriously. This is partly due to the fact that the company takes root towards the end of World War II. Ravenol was one of the earliest and most successful companies at the time. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the most respected brands in professional car care. Of course, professional products tend to make the variety more potent than consumer products, and this flushing oil definitely takes the lead.

Incredibly powerful

When you look at the ingredients used in Ravenol's engine flush, you quickly learn that this product does not deteriorate. Virtually every ingredient is incredibly powerful and numerous detergents and dispersants have been added to ensure every component of sludge and debris is removed. This makes Ravenol the most effective and most powerful engine cleaner when all you want to do is clean the engine. Thus, it is an ideal product for use on a running engine that has been in use for many years.

As great and powerful as the cleaning products in Ravenol are, they literally don't give you anything else. You will get the best engine cleaning you can find, but don't expect bells and whistles. There are no lubricants or antiwear agents, or any other additives often included in engine wash formulas. In all fairness, Ravenol is at least a less expensive product, but the cost of the supplements would just put it on par with the other products reviewed. However, there is a good chance that the variety of cleaning products can make other additives completely incompatible.

Benefits:

• Acid wash.
• Less expensive engine flush.
• Provides the deepest cleaning possible.
• Has wide compatibility.
• FFA approved.

Disadvantages:

• No additional additives required.

The rating of flushing oils can be continued for a long time. We've covered the features of only the best and most popular ones. Suggest your options in the comments, and perhaps in the next top we will consider yours.