How Good is Flushing The Engine of Your Car?

Is engine flush good or bad? You will hear lots of arguments on both sides in various online forums. However, most car experts will suggest against it while mechanics and people running car servicing shops will speak in its favor.

An engine flush is a process of cleaning up the sludge and gunk deposited in your engine for years. You have to add a chemical additive to the oil and pour the mixture through the oil filler cap. Idle the car for 10-15 minutes, allowing the additive-mixed oil to circulate through all the engine parts and dissolving the dirt deposits. Then, you have to flush the oil, replace the oil filter, and fill up the engine tank with fresh oil.

How Does the Sludge Form Inside the Engine?

Not changing the oil regularly is the main reason for forming deposits and sludge inside the engine components. Some drivers have the habit of going too long between oil changes and some even don’t bother about it unless the engine shows any warning sign.

Other two common causes of gunk buildup are:

* Doing mostly stop-and-go driving
* Leaving the car in the garage for months

Not driving the car for a long time will jam the engine components. It happens mostly in winter when condensation builds up because extreme cold does not let the oil to circulate in all the engine parts.

Is Doing an Engine Flush Good or Bad?

Flushing is not necessary for an engine getting the oil changed at manufacturer’s prescribed intervals or as per the mileage and driving conditions. Besides, the owner’s manual never suggests the flushing of the engine.

However, a flush is not a bad idea if you are spending money on a used car that has driven 100,000 km or more and has a history of not changing oil regularly. In fact, not changing the oil can create a visible sludge buildup in cars that run far less than 100,000 km. Thick layers of deposits can cause severe drivability issues, engine light to come on, badly damaged crank, blocking of the oil pickup tube, and more problems.

As flushing washes gunk and dirt out of the engine’s mechanism, it is not a bad option when needed. Also, it cleans up the engine components and keeps the new oil clear from dirt and other particles.

So, if you are facing the dilemma of engine flush good or bad, you should take the decision after examining the vehicle’s condition. If it’s an old car and has many miles on it, you should choose this option. Flushing will clean up the engine and keep the car running for many more miles. However, a well-maintained and serviced car that changes the oil regularly won’t need it. The truth is most cars will never need an engine flush.