Best Engine Flushes Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Most drivers enjoy maintaining the vehicle on their own, but we all have to agree that this is not an easy task. There are so many things to clean and repair, that we often forget about half of the important stuff! One of the basic things we should never forget to do is keeping the engine at its peak power. How do we do that? Well, it’s a challenging task that demands using several products. The most basic ones are engine flushes, oils, and additives. An engine flush should be the first on your list! Keeping an engine clean means ensuring its great performance and improving its lifespan. An engine flush is just the product that allows you to do that. Not only that you’ll get rid of the dirt, dust, oil, and other annoying residues, but you’ll have a protective layer over the engine and other components. This will keep it protected from all kinds of threats and ensure the best performance. You’ll enjoy a smooth ride every time you hit the road!
Featured Recommendations
- Liqui Moly
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Our rating - Super Efficient
- Price: See Here
- Prolong Super Lubricants
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Our rating - Overheat Protection
- Price: See Here
- Sea Foam
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Our rating - Multipurpose Cleaner
- Price: See Here
Once we agreed that your vehicle needs an engine flush to work flawlessly, you’ll have to pick one and try it out. However, choosing this kind of product is rather tiresome. These days, the market is full of all kinds of flushes and they all offer different formulas. Not only that you have to pick the one compatible with your vehicle but you have to decide on the particular formula. To ease this choosing process for you, we made a list of 10 best engine flushes you can find right now. Hopefully, this will help you find the perfect product without too much effort. However, if you still find yourself unable to decide, you can find some extra tips on the bottom of the list. They are useful if you’re not sure about what you really need from an engine flush. Now, let’s start with:
10 Best Engine Flushes
Liqui Moly
This is one of the safest flushes you can use on your engine. It’s made of mineral oils and acid detergent to provide the best cleaning results. The formula is gentle on all components, so you don't have to worry about damaging non-metal parts. Pour the liquid, let it rest for about 10 minutes, and you’re all set!
Just keep in mind that this product is made for 4-stroke engines. Unfortunately, it’s not suitable for smaller 2-stroke ones. This makes it less versatile and unsuitable for small vehicles and tools.
Very Efficient
The liquid removes gum, varnish, and sludge, keeping the engine in optimal condition. It works well and quickly, which makes it perfect for regular maintenance. The formula is very gentle to all engine parts, so you can use it without any worries at all! It cleanses the engine part without damaging other non-metal components.
Still, we recommend using some oil additives with it. This will bring the engine to the maximum peak power! The good thing is that it works well with almost any type of oil, so you won’t have issues with finding the perfect one.
Cost and Value
The company doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the quality of this particular product. No wonder why it’s so popular among users all over the market! It’s also easy on the pocketbook so you should definitely try it out.
Made from mineral oils and acid detergent
Great cleaning results
Safe for the engine and other non-metal parts
Efficient and quick
Compatible with a variety of oils and additives
Easy on the pocketbook
Not suitable for smaller 2-stroke engines
Prolong Super Lubricants
This is a versatile product that works wonders on both gasoline and diesel engines. Due to the unique formula that contains additives, it's super useful for every vehicle! Even the professionals recommend using it for regular maintenance. One is certain, this flush efficiently cleans and protects most engine types. Not to mention that influences their overall performance. Sip a drop or two of this amazing liquid and you’ll enjoy the smooth performance during every ride.
Overheat Protection
So this one doesn’t only clean engines but it also prevents dirt and dust pilling on the components. Also, it’s worth mentioning that the formula of this flush is completely safe for the engine. The liquid forms a protective layer and doesn’t damage the components during the process.
Users mostly praise it for the ability to reduce high temperature! It’s very efficient when it comes to extreme pressure conditions, regardless of the engine type. You can use it for both old and brand new engines!
Cost and Value
We like the fact that you get to choose the size of the bottle. There’s a 1-gallon, 8-ounce, and 12-ounce bottle to choose from. What we didn’t like is the price for these sizes. Regardless of the size you choose, you’ll have to add some cash to get it!
Works on gasoline and diesel engines
Efficient
Cleans dust and dirt and prevents possible accumulations
Great heat protection
Safe for use
Works well on both old and new engines
Pricey
Sea Foam
What makes this one super-efficient is a pure petroleum formula. Yes, you read it right, this one is made of pure petroleum! Sea Foam efficiently cleans all kinds of dirt, dust, and fuel and oil residues. It proves to be super useful for maintaining all engine components. Pour a drop or two of this amazing liquid and you’ll see the magic! The engine will quickly get to the best performance and ensure a smooth and comfortable ride.
Multipurpose
This is a multipurpose product that works like a cleaner, lubricant, stabilizer, and a moisture controller. You can use it for both diesel and gasoline engines. We find it perfect for regular maintenance and recommend having it in your garage! With the regular use, you can improve the performance of every car engine.
That being said, keep in mind that Sea Foam doesn’t offer a super deep clean. It won't help you a lot when it comes to old engines that are exposed to continuous threats. If you need something stronger, you’ll have to search for other options!
Cost and Value
This is the cheapest product out there that provides such great value! We highly recommend it for regular engine maintenance. Those who are on a tight budget are going to love it!
Pure petroleum formula
Cleans dirt, dust, and fuel and oil residues
Multipurpose product
Works on gasoline and diesel engines
Cheap
Doesn’t offer a super deep clean
CRC Salt Terminator
This one is super useful for engines that are exposed to salt. It cleans and prevents salt from pilling up on the car components. It also protects the metal parts from corrosion by creating a protective layer. The best part is that it’s not limited to car engines. You can use it on boats, trailers, RVs, trucks, and all kinds of tools!
Safe and Versatile
It’s important to note that this product is completely safe for the engine and other vehicle parts. You can use it to clean all kinds of vehicles, parts, and tools. This makes it quite versatile and therefore, very popular among users! The product is also very easy to use. It comes in convenient bottles that are intuitive and easy to maneuver. Apply a small amount of it and you’ll see the results in no time!
However, we have to notice that this product lacks versatility. While it's great for removing salt, it's not equally efficient against other threats. If you're having other issues such as high temperatures, cold weather, and more, this won't be enough. You’ll need to add a product or two to completely protect your vehicle.
Cost and Value
This one comes in 6 different sizes to meet a variety of needs. All of them are reasonably priced. We recommend it to all drivers out there who want to prevent salt and corrosion damaging their car’s engines!
Cleans salt and prevents corrosion
Efficient and easy to use
Suitable for all kinds of vehicles and tools
Safe for use
Available in 6 sizes
Reasonably priced
Lacks some extra protection
Lubegard 98901
You can use Lubegard on both diesel and gasoline engines. It’s designed to reduce friction and wear in order to get the best out of every engine. Use it regularly and your car’s engine will become super smooth and quiet during every ride. Reducing friction also helps to engines struggling with high temperatures. Lubergard keeps them cooled and protected from overheating!
Liquid Wax Ester Technology
What we liked the most is a Liquid Wax Ester technology. What is that you may ask? To put it short, it’s the formula that works to increase oil life. Not only that it cleans and reduces sludge, dirt, varnish, and other threats, but it prepares the engine for the oil refill! The formula is completely safe for the engine and its parts, so you don’t have to worry about that.
You should only keep in mind that Lubergard is not the best choice for old engines. It can’t deal with residues made by constant outdoor exposure. So if you need something super tough, you better search for other options!
Cost and Value
You’ll be pleased to hear that this amazing product comes at an attractive price. Although it’s available only in the bottle of 15 ounces, you’ll use it for quite some time. A little liquid goes a long way, which makes this flush perfect for regular maintenance!
Works on gasoline and diesel engines
Reduces friction and wear
Protects the parts from high temperatures
Increases oil life
Safe and efficient
An attractive price
Not the strongest formula out there
Niteo Motor Medic
This is a heavy-duty flush that removes gums, varnish, and sludge. You can use it for the engine and other components. Niteo works well on diesel, gas, turbo, and non-turbo engines. We find it very useful for noisy old ones that need more protection for the best performance.
It also reduces oil lost and prepares the parts for the regular oil change. That means that it improves oil circulation and ensures fuel efficiency. Overall, you get all that you need for regular and improved maintenance of the engine parts!
Super Fast
We also like how efficient it turns out to be. It’s faster than most of the competition and works in about 5 minutes. Use it regularly and you’ll see the results in no time! Niteo keeps every engine at its best performance and it’s completely safe for use. You can use it on brand new or old ones without any difference and enjoy smooth rides!
Just keep in mind that Niteo is one of the toughest flushes out there. That means you have to be extra careful how you’re using it. If not applied properly, the liquid could damage some engine parts!
Cost and Value
Niteo comes in a bottle of 32 ounces and proves to be cost-effective. Although we would like to see it in smaller bottles, we can’t complain considering the great price for such a big amount of liquid! You’ll definitely use this one for quite a while.
The heavy-duty formula for better cleaning results
Works on different engine types
Perfect for noisy engines
Promotes oil circulation and ensures flawless performance
Super fast
Cost-effective
The harsh formula could damage some parts if not used properly
Prestone Yellow AS105
This one is designed to work on cooling systems so it’s perfect for engines that have overheating issues. The product efficiently removes all dangerous stuff that could cause overheating. You know how pilled dust and dirt can lead to malfunctions. Prestone is here to help out! It keeps the engine well protected all the time, so you get to enjoy driving your vehicle!
Non-Toxic Formula
Prestone is completely safe for use. It features a non-toxic and non-acidic formula so it won’t damage the engine and other parts of your vehicle. You just need to pour the liquid, wait around 10 minutes, and enjoy the results! After two or three uses you’ll be able to see improvements in the engine performance.
The only thing we should warn you about is the fact that it’s not equally efficient on all engines. Some users complained about not seeing better results on some older engines. Also, don’t forget its main purpose. While it works great in reducing overheating, it might not be efficient with other issues.
Cost and Value
Prestone comes in a super large bottle that lasts for quite some time! It’s also easy on the pocketbook which makes it perfect for every driver out there. Even if you have other products for engine maintenance, you’ll use a product like this. There's no such thing as too much protection against overheating!
Overheating protection
Ensures smooth performance
Safe for use due to non-toxic formula
Easy to use
Super fast
Easy on the pocketbook
Not the best option for all engine types
Focuses only on overheating issues
Lubegard 40902
This one is perfect for regular engine maintenance. It’s a multipurpose flush that cleans, protects, and maintains all engine types. To be honest with you, it does the job pretty well. You can use it on all diesel and gasoline engines. Lubegard proves to be very useful for old noisy engines as well. Whether you have an engine that struggles with overheating or working on cold weather, Lubegard will help you out!
High Protection
Why is this product so popular, you may ask? Mostly because it offers a multipurpose formula. Lubegard doesn't only clean parts but it also protects the engine from overheating. It reduces friction, wear, noise, and other annoying threats.
Just don’t forget to use high-quality oil and an additive! Some driver who didn’t use them noticed that the car developed a lifter tick. If you want to avoid this, don’t forget an oil additive.
Cost and Value
Lubegard is not only well priced but it also comes in a large bottle of 32 ounces. You’ll definitely use it for a long time, keeping your vehicle in the perfect condition!
Efficient and easy to use
Works on both diesel and gasoline engines
Cleans all kind of dirt and deposit
Great for noisy engines and overheating issues
Protection against cold weather
Well priced
An oil additive is a must
Throttle Muscle TM7326
This is a quality flush that proves to be very efficient in removing dirt, sludge, deposits, and more. It's perfect for cleaning all engine components. Not to mention that it works on a variety of engine types as well as on some power tools. Also, we shouldn’t forget to mention that this product increases the oil life and improves fuel efficiency. With a sip or two of this great liquid, you’ll get a smooth and quiet engine in no time!
Quick and Simple
We also like the super-fast formula. It works in about 5 minutes! You don’t have to leave it for an extended period in order to get perfect results. Nor you need to use any extra oils and additives during the flush. Just be extra careful when using it! Make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle and you’ll be fine.
Cost and Value
Throttle Muscle is available in a bottle of 16 and 128 ounces. You can pick the one that you find more convenient, they are equally well priced!
Removes all kind of dirt, sludge, and deposits
Efficient and versatile
Increases oil life
Works within 5 minutes
Easy to use
Well priced
Has to be used carefully
Ravenol J8A0101-400
Ravenol removes dirt, sludge, and other deposits that tend to pile up on every engine. You can use it on both diesel and gasoline engines as well as for old and brand new ones. It's perfectly safe for use so you can use it for cleaning all engine components. All in all, Ravenol is super useful and easy to use!
Quick and Powerful
Ravenol features a very powerful formula that works in a breeze. It takes around 10 minutes for it to flush engine components and you’ll see the results in no time! However, keep in mind that this is a simple cleaner that lacks some extra features. If you want something tough for bigger issues, Ravenol might not be the perfect option for you.
Cost and Value
Although it won’t cost you a fortune, we have to notice that Ravenol is a little pricey considering the size of the bottle (13 ounces). Still, we highly recommend it for regular cleaning and overall engine maintenance. If you have some extra cash to spend, we say go for it!
Efficient
Suitable for diesel and gasoline engines
Safe for use
Powerful formula
Quick and simple
Perfect for regular maintenance
Lacks some extra features that come with tough flushes
Pricey
Criteria Used in Evaluation of the Best Engine Flushes
Ranking these 10 products might seem easy to the untrained eye, but we beg different! It’s not just that we had to examine and rate all their features. No, we had to make sure that our top engine flushes can stand up to the expectations of every driver out there! Here are some of the things that were crucial for the successful evaluation:
Compatibility
Naturally, we can’t guess which type of engine you have and which engine flush you need for it. That’s why we couldn’t rank the products according to the type of engine they are compatible with. However, what we could do is assigning some extra points to every versatile product. What does it mean? It means that those compatible with more engine types are ranked better than others!
Efficiency
The second important thing is finding the most efficient engine flush! This doesn’t mean that we only want the liquid to work super fast. No, what we mean by efficiency is the capability of every product to resolve different issues in a breeze. What is the use of an engine flush if it doesn’t show results after continuous use?
Safety
Not every flush is safe for all engine parts. Some of the heavy-duty ones could be dangerous for non-metal parts. This could cause some issues and make using the flush rather difficult. That’s why we ranked our 10 best picks according to the level of safety they provide. The best ones are at the top, of course!
Cost and Value
We also wanted to make sure that you’ll get enough value for the money you spend on a particular product. That’s why we considered the quality of all engine flushes and compared them to their price. We also did a full comparison of all products together in order to get the most accurate results. Hopefully, this will help you choose the product according to your needs and budget!
Other Factors to Consider
Picking the proper engine flush is a demanding task that requires a lot of research. There are many things one should consider in order to get the perfect product for the job. You definitely don’t want to get the first product that catches your attention. Engine maintenance is a serious process and you want to do it right. This includes using the right tools, flushes, oils, additives, and other necessary stuff. That’s why we prepared some tips if you’re not sure what to look for in a quality engine flush. Here we go:
Type
First thing first, you have to make sure that a particular product suits your car’s engine. You don’t want to pick the wrong one and cause more harm than good, right? Therefore, carefully read the product’s description. Make sure to pick the one that is compatible with the engine you have.
Purpose
You should determine for what purpose you’ll be using this product. They are not universal and definitely not suitable for all issues one could have with its car’s engine. Therefore, consider the type of issue you have and then opt for a particular engine flush. For example, if your engine doesn’t work well in cold weather, you have to treat that problem. The weather protection is a must but other features are not. You’ll always need one feature more than others, that’s for sure. The same applies to overheat, corrosion, and other problems. Although most of the newly designed flushes are suitable for regular maintenance, they are not made to cover all specific issues.
Formula
It’s also important for you to consider how powerful flush you need. If your engine is in perfect condition and you need a product that will keep it that way, you don’t need a tough formula that resolves everything! It’s better for you to pick the mild one that is safe for all components. On the other hand, if you need something for old engines left to rust outside, don’t waste your money on regular products. Get the toughest one you can find and save the engine from deteriorating!
Ease of Use
If you’re a first-time buyer you might want to stick with the reliable multipurpose product. Most newbies are uncertain which flush to mix with which oil or additive. To avoid mistakes that could damage the engine, stick with the ones that are compatible with most oil types. Even if this means getting a less powerful product!
Budget
Last but not least, it’s important for you to consider your budget limitations. This could influence your decision and demand making some compromises. Still, we always recommend adding a few more bucks to get the better engine flush! This product gets in direct contact with your engine which is, after all, the soul of your vehicle. You don’t want to mess things up when it comes to engine maintenance!
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are engine flushes necessary?
A: This is a common question that bothers all drivers out there. It’s completely normal that you worry about what you should and what you shouldn’t use on your vehicle. Especially when it comes to a controversial product like this. There are, indeed, several things you should keep in mind before the use, but they are definitely not as dangerous as some people claim. Now, if you have a new vehicle produced by the latest technology, you probably won’t need engine flushes. Some companies, like Honda, don’t recommend using this product on their new models. However, most of the older vehicles do need it. They tend to collect and pile up dirt, sludge, and deposits. This could influence overall performance and cause malfunctions. Sometimes it’s hard to resolve these issues even if you change the oil and use additives. On the other hand, engine flush is perfect for the job! Therefore, we can’t say that flushes are necessary in all cases, but they are definitely useful in many of them!
Q: Do engine flushes work?
A: Absolutely! They are designed to clean and protect engines from deposits that could cause malfunctions and power loss. People also find them useful for old engines that are exposed to rust and corrosion. Not to mention how they make them less noisy and improve smooth performance. All in all, they do work and they are rather impressive!
Q: Can they damage the engine?
A: Yes, some damage could occur if you don’t choose the right kind of product. Also, you can damage the parts if you don’t follow the instructions and use the liquid in a proper way. Make no mistake and match the flush with your engine type. This is the first and most important step. They are not universal and not suitable for all engines out there. Also, some of them offer strong formulas to resolve the most persistent issues. This could cause some damage to non-metal parts so you want to make sure that you use the toughest flushes in a proper way.
Q: Can I use oils and additives in combination with flushes?
A: Of course you can! Engine flushes are actually used as preparation for oil use. Just make sure that you apply them before or after the oil. They also tend to reduce oil loss and improve their circulation, so using these two products together is a win-win situation. However, make sure not to mix completely incompatible liquids. You’ll find the necessary information on every product’s description. Don’t miss to read it and buy compatible products!
Sources
- , 5 Benefits of an Engine Flush, Article
- , Does my car really need a complete engine flush?, Article
- , Benefits of an Engine Flush, Article
