The service life of the car, as well as the safety of engine parts, directly depends on the quality of engine oil. If low-quality oil comes in, or the owner of the car forgets to replace it in time, then slags and dirt begin to be deposited on the engine, which inevitably worsen the car. In this case, experts recommend using a flush that effectively cleans the internal parts. About how to use flushing oil, which manufacturers should be trusted, what features of different brands of this product, you can read in this article.
Why rinse
Modern motor oils have a high-quality composition, which includes additives designed to ensure effective cleaning of the engine, protect it from deposits and oxidation, extend the life of the engine. Why then use rinses? Some people think this is another marketing ploy. Unfortunately, in reality, many drivers do not comply with the recommendations of the manufacturers, which leads to a reduced service life of the machine. Washings make it possible to fix flaws in maintenance and improve the work of a car.
At first glance, flushing oil looks exactly the same as motor oil. But there are several differences between them. It has much more detergent additives than conventional grease. In no case should washing be flushed as a constant fluid for ICE. The fact is that after a short operation of the motor, all the slag and deposits accumulated on it fall into the flushing, which makes it unsuitable for further use. Therefore, after 10-15 minutes, the flushing oil is drained and the standard lubricant is poured. In what cases do experts recommend doing this?
When to flush the engine
It is not always necessary to use flushing oil. For example, if you change the fluid in your car in a timely manner and use the product of trusted companies, you can do without washing the engine. But this procedure should be carried out in the following cases:
- You do not remember what oil was poured into the engine last time. This situation is quite common. Sometimes, due to heavy employment, motorists forget what brand or type of motor oil they used. If another type of grease is poured, a mixture of additives may occur, and oil components will settle on the walls of the engine.
- If the car is older than 10 years and has a motor system in an imperfect condition, then, most likely, a lot of pollution has accumulated on the walls of the engine. For correct operation, you need to clean them and then regularly change the oil. A machine with such care will last much longer.
- If you conduct experiments with a car and “test” different types of oils on it, if you notice a deterioration in engine performance (it became more noisy and power decreases), then it is better to replace the oil, after using the flushing first.
- A defective oil filter can also contribute to severe motor contamination. Sometimes in car services, masters forget to change it and leave the old one. In this case, it does not fulfill its functions, therefore, engine oil quickly becomes worthless.
Flushing process
How to use flushing oil for the engine? Not everyone can perform this procedure, since it requires certain skills and knowledge. If you decide to flush the engine yourself, then you need to follow the following procedure:
- First you need to drain the used oil. The engine of the machine must be warmed up before starting work, and it is better to have a large capacity and rags on hand.
- Next, unscrew the plug on the crankcase, located in the lower part of the pallet. If the oil is completely dark in color, then it was of poor quality or did not change for too long.
- The crankcase must be screwed back and filled in with the flushing. Usually it requires as much as regular oil. If you are not sure about the required volume, then information on the required quantity can be found in the instruction manual. The upper mark of the liquid must be at the “max” level.
- The engine should run with flushing oil for about 10-15 minutes at idle. During this time, detergents will be able to clean it of all toxins.
- At the end of the flushing process, drain the used liquid and add new engine oil. By the quality of the drained liquid, you can see how badly the motor of your car was dirty.
Types of Flushing Oils
Today, there are several types of washes on the market that vary in price and composition.
- Five-minute fluids. As the name implies, these tools do not require much time - they just need to be poured into the engine for five minutes, and you can remove them without even starting the engine. Five-minute rinses consist of powerful solvents and aggressive additives that can remove impurities in a few minutes. Such oils are made on the basis of diesel fuel.
- Classic flushing oils. They differ from ordinary motor oils only in additives that contain more detergent components. You can not find flushing in every store, so it is better to check availability in advance.
Rinsing Benefits
On the Internet you can find many opinions on the topic of whether it is worth using flushing oils. Let's look at all the pros and cons in more detail. Flushing is necessary. In some cases, it can be a real salvation for the engine. For example, if you bought a car with your own hands or are not sure of the quality of the previous brand of engine oil, then flushing is mandatory. It contains alkaline additives that dissolve deposits and wash them out of the engine. But if you change the oil in the engine on time and use quality products, then you are already doing enough to clean your motor. In this case, using flushing is not recommended, as they have a number of disadvantages.
Minuses
Even experts say that flushing should only be used in extreme cases. Why? Because, basically, ordinary motor oil is enough, which already performs the function of cleaning the motor. If you decide to use flushing, it is better not to buy 5-minute products that contain aggressive components. Conventional flushing oil will do its job better. Some motorists claim that about 10% of the flushing used remains in the engine and does not affect the composition of the new oil being filled in the best way. It turns out a mixture that is not at all suitable for the composition and characteristics of your car. Therefore, before buying a flush, carefully weigh the pros and cons or consult with the workshop specialist.
How much is flushing
Prices for such a tool may be different. For example, one of the most popular washing oils “Lukoil” (4 l) costs about 350 rubles. Five-minute cleansers can be bought for 250-300 rubles. Oils of more famous European companies cost a little more - about 600 rubles. Compared to motor oils, flushing is not so expensive. If you take into account the cost of a new engine oil, filter and the replacement work itself, the amount is pretty impressive. Therefore, you need to approach the procedure for cleansing the engine wisely.
Rating
Which flushing oil is better to choose? To answer this question, it is necessary to highlight all types of washes available for purchase, to evaluate their chemical composition and quality.
- The best of its kind, motorists, without saying a word, consider Lukoil flushing oil. The article code for this product in online stores: 19465. This is a high-quality lubricant that basically contains mineral fluid. Among its positive qualities: dispersion, good solubility and excellent washing characteristics. There is a package of washing oil 4 liters about 300 rubles.
- The next well-known flushing from the company "TNK" is a universal tool capable of neutralizing contaminants and additives from oil of a different brand. Oil can be used for all types of engines: old and new, diesel and gasoline. The fact is that in the washing of TNCs there are no aggressive components that affect crystallized deposits. They often close microcracks and corrosion, which are very numerous in old engines. Therefore, the use of washing TNCs is quite safe and does not harm the machine.
- Shell Helix engine flushing has long been recognized as one of the best, but very expensive. The goods are sold in small packages of half a liter, and one such bottle costs 370 rubles. Therefore, the method of cleaning the engine using Shell cannot be called economical. The article number of flushing oil depends on the online store.
- Flushing Rosneft made on the basis of mineral oils using detergents. One package of 4 liters will cost 500 rubles.
- If you decide to use five-minute oil, then the leader in this area is Liqui Moly. For a small jar of 300 ml will have to give 350 rubles. But this amount is enough to get rid of pollution inside the engine.
Flushing Lukoil
Let us consider in more detail the most popular product from the list - washing oil "Lukoil" (4 l). Why does it so attract car owners?
LUKOIL flushing oil (4L) is a special liquid based on mineral components, whose viscosity is four times lower than the consistency of conventional motor lubricants. This allows flushing to penetrate even the farthest corners of the engine, clearing it of impurities. The composition includes additives ZDDP, which reduce the level of wear of old motors. They also contain calcium, which helps to neutralize the acidic environment that forms inside the motor. Motorists' reviews prove that this technical fluid, when used correctly, can prolong the life of the car for a long time. But if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to give the car for “flushing” to the workshop master.
Opinions of motorists
Basically, very good reviews on flushing oils. 4L, according to consumers, is the most convenient volume to use. You can purchase such a container and use it more than once. Car owners have noted improved engine performance. Flushing oil cleans old deposits and processed products, so just black liquid is often poured into the pan. But too often, experienced drivers do not recommend cleaning the engine with synthetic fluids. So you just wash away the protective grease film on the engine parts. What other advice can experienced professionals give?
Recommendations
Experts argue that the use of washes is justified only in extreme cases. For example, if you forgot what oil you used last time, or bought a used car with it. In this case, you can take a chance and use flushing oil.
Why are these drugs dangerous? They contain chemical compounds and additives that may not always positively affect the “heart” of a car. Another disadvantage is that the remnants of the detergent can react with ordinary motor oil and change its properties for the worse. Do not trust the advertisement, which says that without using a flush, changing the engine oil does not make sense. Your excessive scrupulousness in this matter can only make it worse, because the base of a conventional lubricant already has protective and cleaning components.
Troubleshooting
To avoid breakdowns and costly repairs, car owners need to follow a few simple rules:
- Change the oil in time. It is recommended to do this every 10-12 thousand kilometers. But if your car is older than 10 years, then you can do this a little more often: every 5-6 thousand km. Such a frequent replacement will protect your engine from burnout and keep it in excellent condition.
- Use products of well-known companies. World famous brands are focused on high standards and pass numerous checks, so you can be sure of their high quality.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the type and viscosity of the oil. For the most correct operation of the internal combustion engine, you need to use more liquid oils in the summer, and thicker in the winter. Each car has an instruction manual that states the recommended brand and base of the oil (synthetic or semi-synthetic). Compliance with these conditions positively affects the operation of the car.
Summary
Flushing oil can and should be used, but only for certain indications. In other cases, you can do the usual oil change. This will be enough to extend the life of your car.