Does engine oil cleaner work? It is a topic argued by many car manufacturers and engine oil cleaner makers. Car manufacturers regard engine oil cleaner as a money-wasting technique.
We often hear that the engine is the heart of a car. If the engine does not pump oil throughout the engine, the car won’t function smoothly.
We have gathered all the content about engine oil cleaners to check if they work and if they are worth it. We can’t wait to share our comprehensive guide on engine oil cleaners with you.
Let’s Go!
Table of Contents
What is an Engine Oil Cleaner?
Also known as engine flush, it is an oil product and not a fuel add-on. It sounds exactly what it is. An engine flush is a chemical add-on that moves throughout the engine and dissolves sludge and gunk, which have blocked oil flow.
We pour engine oil cleaner into the oil filler port and leave it for 10-15 minutes to make it work. During this time, the cleaner runs through the engine with engine oil dissolving all the sticky black sludge coming its way.
Afterward, along with the engine oil, engine oil cleaner is also drained out.
How do Sludgy Deposits Build Up Inside an Engine?
There are two types of vehicle owners. The first ones regularly change their oil and take care of their cars, and the second is those who neglect their engine’s health until it results in severe damage.
If you don’t change your engine oil regularly, harmful contaminants start to deposit on various parts of engines with time. These deposits result in power loss and performance loss of your machine.
Apart from not changing old engine oil regularly, here are some more reasons gunk builds up on your car’s engine:
- Mechanical issues in car engines such as leaking head gasket.
- Short trips on the vehicle. Operating a car for a short period won’t allow the oil to warm up thoroughly and evaporate its moisture.
- Dirt and dust in the air stick to the engine.
- Fuel dilution.
Proper concentration of engine oil cleaner has the potential to dissolve engine muck and deposit.
Does engine oil absorb moisture? Read here.
Is an Engine Oil Cleaner Necessary?
Many engine oil cleaner manufacturers argue that engine oil cleaners are significant parts of good maintenance techniques. Here is what they claim:
A high-quality cleaner helps loosen the sticky deposits and dissolve them into the old engine oil. This helps return your engine to new conditions.
The contaminants deposited on the engine often work as an insulator preventing the engine from dissipating its heat. In turn, the engine ages out early due to wear in its internals.
Besides, the engine’s high heat breaks down engine oil, and you need to change the oil after short intervals. This increases cost.
Gunk in car engine blocks oil passage restricting oil to move to other metal parts. When the oil pressure decreases, friction will increase, causing severe wear-and-tear in the car engine. Engine oil cleaners are said to return your vehicle to the first-class condition.
Benefits of Engine Oil Cleaner
Engine oil cleaner comes with numerous benefits. Let’s see if it’s worth it using it or not.
Cleans what Engine Filter Doesn’t
We know that engine filters keep dust away from the engine, but you need to know that even smaller particles may make up sludge.
Engine filters usually remove particles of size as small as 25 microns. The smaller particles account for dust deposits and cause wear in the engine.
Increase Engine Oil Efficiency
Nasty engine deposits usually break down oil and reduce its efficiency. Besides, it deposits at many areas in an engine blocking oil from flowing freely.
This causes resistance and wastes fuel flowing its way. With engine oil cleaner, oil can freely flow everywhere, ensuring smooth engine functioning.
Keeps your Engine Oil New as Ever
Yes, if you don’t clean up your engine, the new engine oil you put in will pick up contaminants and age sooner. Engine flush cleans sticky valves so that if you change engine oil, it gives its maximum.
Reduces Exhaust Emission
As sludge causes a blockage, engine oil reverts its route to the combustion chamber and burns there to form significant exhaust fumes. Cleaner the engine, lesser the exhaust fumes.
Helps Reduce Heat
Sludge acts as an insulator on the engine preventing proper heat dissipation. This causes the car to overheat, which decreases the efficiency of the engine and increases oil oxidation. It is essential to remove the deposits to ensure the smooth functioning of the machine.
How to Use Engine Oil Cleaner
Below is the guide to remove sludge deposit from the engine using engine oil cleaner:
Method 1
- Remove a small amount of engine oil from the engine.
- Add engine oil cleaner.
- Drive the car to let the cleaner run throughout the engine.
- The deposit dissolves in engine oil.
- Change the engine oil.
Method 2
- Take engine oil out of the engine.
- Add engine oil cleaner.
- Turn on the engine and leave it for some time. This allows cleaner to move around through engine parts.
- Now add new engine oil.
Method 3
- Remove a small amount of engine oil from the engine.
- Add engine oil cleaner.
- Turn on the car and leave for 10-15 mins to allow the engine oil cleaner to run.
- Drain the oil and cleaner mixture.
- Change the oil.
Are you thinking about what to do with used motor oil? Read here.
Do You Need an Engine Oil Cleaner?
Using or not using engine oil cleaner depends on the vehicle you use. Newer technology vehicles do not require engine flush. If you still use it on the newer technology, it will destroy your car’s engine.
It is possible that when you put engine oil cleaner in an old vehicle, oil or coolant begin leaking out. Leaks are common because cracks are common in older engines, and sludge acts as a seal on those cracks.
When the engine oil cleaner dissolves all the sludge, the cracks are exposed again and begin to leak. It is not that something is wrong with the cleaner, but the engine’s condition was already bad, and the cleaner just helped dissolve the sludge seal.
Besides, many experts warn that engine oil will wear out your engine. The best you can do is make maintenance cards for your car. If you keep your vehicle up-to-date, there is no need to use engine oil cleaners.
It is 100% possible that sludge won’t form if you regularly change your engine. New oil contains detergents that have the power to clean minor dust particles in your machine.
Engine flush manufacturers say that these are safe, but in reality, they aren’t. It is better to follow car manufacturer’s guidelines as they provide car warranty while engine flush manufacturers don’t.
Are motor oil containers recyclable? Read more here.
FAQS – Does Engine Oil Cleaner Work?
These frequently asked questions will help you understand the working of engine oil cleaners in depth.
How Often Should You Use Engine Oil Cleaner?
1-2 times a year.
For newer technology, we don’t recommend you to use it. Also, for the older vehicles with engine parts cracked, it is better to get the parts exchanged than putting engine oil cleaner in the engine.
Engine oil cleaner is only suitable for cars with engine parts in good condition but covered in muck. For them, it is best to use it at most two times a year.
Besides, you need to check if you’re running your car in dusty conditions and how many short trips you have per week. In case of dusty and dirty surroundings and frequent short trips, apply engine flush two times a year.
Are Engine Oil Cleaners Worth It?
Yes, engine oil cleaners promise to flush oil the gunk stuck in various areas in the engine. No matter how old the car is, engine oil cleaner works its magic.
Should I use Engine Oil Cleaner on My Car?
Yes, only if you use a measured amount of engine oil cleaners.
Else, it is arguable. People have been selling engine cleaners for years, but we have not found any research claiming it harmful to cars.
Yes, it flushes the sludge away but causes severe harm to your engine if not used correctly or overused. Also, in case of intense muck deposit, it is only the engine oil cleaner that will come to rescue your car.
Conclusion
Are you still wondering if engine oil cleaners work? Yes, they do, but they can harm your engine too.
The debate on its worth is never-ending. The car manufacturers argue to keep cleaners away from engine oil while the cleaner manufacturers say the complete opposite.
Note it down: if you are using a used car, use engine oil cleaner once or twice on it. Afterward, make sure to change the engine oil at regular intervals.
For others, the best you can do is keep your car maintained and change the engine oil regularly.
Happy Driving!
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