Best Engine Flush: Keep Your Motor Running Strong

An engine flush is an affordable way to maximize your engine health.

byNoelle Talmon|
Engine & Motors photo

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BYNoelle Talmon/ LAST UPDATED ON June 2, 2023

After a while, your engine may start accumulating sludge and deposits that can adversely affect your vehicle's power and performance. These contaminants can clog oil passages, restrict oil flow, cause rings to stick, and generally reduce compression and horsepower. If you want to eliminate this unwanted gunk, you can use an aftermarket engine flush. 


Simply pour it into the oil filler so it will circulate through the engine and remove deposits. Then you drain the oil, which should be full of the harmful deposits, swap out the oil filter, and add new oil. Many types of engine flush products are available online and in stores, so it can be tough to choose the best one. Check out some of the best options in the buying guide below.

Best Overall
Liqui Moly 2037 Pro-Line Engine Flush

Liqui Moly 2037 Pro-Line Engine Flush

Summary
The best motor flush is quick, easy, and effective at clearing out sludge in your engine.
Pros
  • Protects against corrosion, compatible with both gas and diesel four-stroke engines
  • Improves oil circulation
  • Neutral to seals and gaskets
Cons
  • Doesn’t cut down on oil consumption
Best Value

Sea Foam Marine and RV SF-16 Engine Flush

Summary
The best engine cleaner flush for drivers on a tight budget.
Pros
  • Targets the parts of the engine most affected by fuel deposits
  • EPA-registered
  • Affordable price tag.
Cons
  • Inconsistent results with some higher mileage vehicles
  • Package is difficult to open
Honorable Mention

Lubegard 95030 Engine Flush

Summary
This Lubegard engine flush delivers on its promise to remove sludge, varnish, and by-products left behind from combustion
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Compatible with gas and diesel four-stroke engines
  • Premium synthetic blend
  • Safe on gaskets and seals.
Cons
  • Slightly expensive

Summary List

Also Consider

Our Methodology

We can’t put our own hands on every item available. In these instances, we put our collective experience in journalism, research, and prior product testing to use to make our product picks. Items that are used by our own staff may get earnest endorsements as well, but we’ll never accept fees or bonuses to sell you stuff we’re not actually excited about. Affiliate revenue is always disclosed.

The Drive aggregates reviews and research from all over the internet to figure out which products are worth buying. We also put out shopping guides to help you understand how to assess the value of these things on your own. As our editorial cousins at Car Bibles say, “Knowledge is horsepower!”

Best Engine Flush: Reviews & Recommendations

The Liqui Moly 2037 Pro-Line is the best engine flush cleaner in our comparison because it’s refreshingly easy to use and safely removes harmful deposits, debris, and byproducts of combustion in a brief amount of time. 


Liqui Moly proves that flushing your engine doesn’t have to be a headache—simply pour the 2037 Pro-Line engine flush into your warm engine and let it idle for about 15 minutes. Then drain the old oil, replace the filter, and refill with new motor oil. The specialized formula contains additives designed to safely eliminate all forms of dirt, grime, varnishes, and gums that accumulate in your engine. For added versatility, this product is formulated to be equally effective as a diesel engine flush as it is a gasoline engine flush. 


Our only gripe is that this flush doesn’t reduce oil consumption, so you may want to consider another option if your ride chugs oil in between changes. Nonetheless, Liqui Moly 2037 Pro-Line is the best engine sludge cleaner for most engines.

For drivers looking for a more focused approach to engine flushing, the Sea Foam engine flush certainly offers a compelling formula designed to target specific parts of your engine as opposed to a more general complete flush. This one specifically targets carb jets, injectors, and passageways. 


The flush also focuses on pistons, intake valves, and cylinders. If your engine is equipped with these components, this motor oil flush targets the VVT actuators and timing chain tensioners to ensure everything is thoroughly cleaned. Next, it meticulously dissolves any oil residue found in the crankcase. Finally, this Sea Foam-flush then goes to work cleaning your fuel system to make sure no fuel residue still lingers.


The systematic approach restores engine performance and efficiency, but it’s not always noticeable. There are some reports of people with higher-mileage cars not noticing any improvements in engine response or efficiency after using Sea Foam. Additionally, some of the packages can be tricky to open, so make sure you follow the instructions carefully when opening the bottle. 

STP 18566 provides a concentrated deep clean for engines with more than 75,000 miles. It dissolves the carbon deposits that can build up in your engine’s intake valves and combustion chamber, and clears away sludge buildup on your cylinder heads, stretching out the effectiveness of your next oil change.


STP’s engine flush makes our favorites list because of how easy it is to use, and how quickly you’ll see results. Application is as simple as pouring it through a heated-up engine. What’s more, is you’ll notice your engine running quieter almost immediately. This is a great option for drivers who’ve been having problems with engine noise, as it cuts down on ticks and knocking in higher-mileage vehicles (so long as they aren’t being caused by some deeper problem).


There’s hardly anything we don’t like about STP 18566, but if there are any drawbacks, it’s that you don’t get many uses out of one bottle. It’s also important to be aware of the potential consequences of using any solvent in your engine, as flushes can sometimes fail to completely remove deposits, leaving them in the engine to cause more damage.

Bg109 is a rigorously tested engine performance enhancer that we like a lot for both brand new and high-mileage vehicles. It’s great for cleaning out engine deposits and reversing drops in fuel efficiency. While the can warns users not to apply it to engines with “excessive sludge,” this is a fairly high bar—we’ve found that Bg109 works well at many different levels of engine cleanliness.


Using it requires 15 minutes of running your engine before getting an oil change. Tests run on Bg109 prove that it’s effective at increasing compression, both that of individual pistons and of the engine as a whole. If you’ve noticed your car burning oil too quickly, flushing it with Bg109 can also help with that problem, allowing you to get much more efficiency out of each oil change.


The drawback of Bg109 is that it doesn’t do much that regular maintenance won’t. It’s only useful as a corrective if you’ve missed too many oil changes, or have deposits resulting from another underlying problem. The cans are also quite small, too, requiring you to buy two if your engine has a 7-quart crankcase (and they aren’t cheap).

Resurs makes a cheap, effective engine flush that works on any gasoline or diesel engine. While simple to use—it only requires an extra 10-15 minutes on top of the time an oil change takes—it packs a punch, sometimes burning out enough carbon deposits to reduce oil burning by 80 percent.


We were intrigued by Resurs Total Engine after seeing how successful it’s been in both Russia and the United States, and it really impressed us with its ability to cut down on noise and extend an engine’s life. It can even make engines more environmentally friendly by reducing the volume of smog they put out. A single can is pretty affordable, and the price includes detailed instructions, in case you’ve never performed an engine flush before.


Is there anything holding us back from giving Resurs Total Engine the top spot? One drawback concerns volume versus price. While one can is cheap, it’s also likely to not be enough. It’s also less effective for use in older cars.

The Motor Medic Motor Flush requires just five minutes to take effect. It removes sludge, gums, varnishes, and other deposits and contaminants in your engine. It lets oil circulate better, releases sticky valves and piston rings, restores performance, and prolongs an engine's lifespan.


This product is designed to be used before each oil change. It minimizes oil consumption, corrects noisy valves, and promotes a smoother-running motor. Motor Medic's formula won't damage seals or wear down bearings, and it works with gas, non-turbo, turbo, and diesel engines. Users report that it works well as long as you follow the directions. It's a great option if you purchase an older vehicle and are unsure of its maintenance history, and overall it does what it advertises.


There are not many complaints about this product, except that the formula looks and smells a little like kerosene, which may be off-putting. There have also been some complaints that you may need to remove the oil pan before using it.

The CRC Salt Terminator Engine Flush is designed to flush marine engines, but it can also be used for trailers, automobiles, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and other vehicles that are exposed to saltwater, salt air, and road salt. The formula is designed to dissolve salt and create a protective coating that prevents corrosion.


The Salt Terminator is biodegradable and is available in a one-gallon concentrated formula. You can use it to service outboards, I/Os, and personal watercrafts. It is water-based and safe to use with plastics. Users report that it does an excellent job of getting rid of salt and is easy to use—simply dilute it according to the instructions, spray it on, brush it on the surface area, and rinse it off. You can also flush saltwater out of the engine.


However, you may have to apply it more than once to remove the salt effectively. Some users report that it's not quite as strong as Salt Away, another popular salt remover, corrosion inhibitor, and motor flush

The Hapco Fast Motor Flush efficiently and easily cleans vehicle engines. It removes moisture, gum, sludge, varnish, and carbon deposits from the engine's upper cylinder areas, oil lines, pump screens, and piston rings. This product is designed to prevent oil consumption, overheating, and hydraulic lifter noise.


Fast Motor Flush also improves performance and minimizes engine wear: simply add a bottle to the oil reservoir before you change the oil. Run the engine for 15 minutes, and then change the oil. It's designed to be used with every oil change to increase gas mileage and prolong engine life. Users report that it does a good job of removing sludge.


The biggest downside with this product is that it's a little pricier than some other options, but if you're willing to spend a little more, it'll do the job.

The ATOMEX Total Flush is compatible with all engine types, including automobiles, motorboats, and motorcycles, and is safe to use with all engine oils and turbocharged engines. It cleans and protects the engine oil system and prevents residue from building up. The formula removes carbon and restores the mobility of oil scraper and compression rings.


ATOMEX cleans the crankcase ventilation system, ensures that the oil system is free from contaminants, and provides anti-wear protection properties. In addition, it minimizes possible defects on friction surfaces. Users report that their engines run smoother and are a little quieter after using this product. It's also a good option for older vehicles and removes debris from your system. It's also easy to use when you're changing the oil.


However, there have been some complaints that the product causes engines to seize. Make sure you read the specs to ensure it's intended for your particular vehicle.

Our Verdict on the Best Engine Flush

Our pick for the best engine flush is the Liqui Moly 2037 Pro-Line Engine Flush. Not only is this formula quick and easy to use, but it prolongs an engine’s lifespan by effectively removing sludge and other deposits. 

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Sea Foam Marine and RV SF-16 Engine Flush.

Types of Engine Flushes

Gasoline

This type is specially formulated to work in vehicles powered by gasoline engines. There are gasoline engine flush products made for particular applications such as higher-mileage engines, as well as some designed to work as quickly as possible. The best oil flush products for gasoline engines will utilize a proprietary blend of additives to rid your engine of harmful deposits and sludge.

Diesel

If your car, truck, or SUV is powered by a diesel engine, you’ll want to only use a diesel engine flush. This type is specifically engineered to flush out the harmful carbon deposits, gunk, and sludge that build up in diesel engines over time. A common subcategory of diesel engine flush products is diesel truck or SUV flushes. 

Gasoline & Diesel Engine Flush

The other common type of engine flush you’ll find on the market today is a flush formulated to work effectively in both gasoline- and diesel-powered engines. These versatile products are convenient because they can be applied to either engine type so you don’t have to worry about buying an engine flush specifically made for a gas or diesel engine.

Best Engine Flush Pricing

  • Under $10: Shoppers will find a few value-priced options for under $10. These affordable products offer decent performance for a modest price and remain popular largely due to their excellent value.
  • $10 - $19: Consumers will delight in the vast amount of engine flushes available in this price range. The majority of motor flush products at this price point are simple to use and deliver excellent sludge-busting performance.
  • Over $19: There are just a select number of options priced above $19. Shoppers will find some of the best oil flush products around this price point, though some of the more affordable options may be just as effective but lack the brand cachet of these pricier offerings.

Key Features

Engine Type Compatibility

The most critical feature of engine flush products is engine type compatibility. Motor flushes can be compatible with gasoline or diesel engines, and in some cases, both engine types. For best results, it’s important to only use one formulated for the type of engine in your vehicle. Many consumers elect to use an engine flush treatment designed for both gasoline and diesel engines because they don’t have to worry about engine compatibility.

Solvents

Many engine oil flush products use a formula that contains solvents to assist with cleaning any carbon deposits, gunk, and sludge that accumulate in your engine. While mild solvents may be handy in clearing out sludge in high-mileage engines, most consumers will want to avoid purchasing an engine flush that contains too many solvents because they can deteriorate engine seals and gaskets.

User-Friendliness

Another prominent feature of engine flushes is the user-friendliness of the product. The majority of engine oil flushes are designed to be easy to use without the aid of an engine flush machine, but a few require the use of special tools that attach to a garden hose to flush out your engine. You’ll want to consider your mechanical skill level as well as any time constraints before selecting the right product for your needs.

Additives

An engine flush is essentially a blend of specific additives mixed into a single solution. With that said, different products contain different additive blends which are frequently engineered to deliver a specific result. The best engine flush product generally contains a mix of detergents, dispersants, anti-wear additives, lubricants, and rust inhibitors. Make sure the one you’re interested in contains at least a few of these additives for maximum cleaning power.

Other Considerations for the Best Engine Flush

  • Quick Results. If time is a major factor for you when it comes to flushing your engine (and when is it not important?), you’ll want to consider an engine flush that is designed to deliver quick results. Many popular brands boast that their product works in as little as 10-15 minutes, saving you tons of time without sacrificing satisfactory results. 

FAQs

You've got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: What is an engine flush?

An engine flush is an aftermarket additive engineered to flush accumulated deposits, sludge, and other gunk out of your engine. You simply pour it into your engine’s oil-filler port and let your engine idle for roughly 10-15 minutes. It blends with the oil and circulates through your engine, dissolving sludge. Next, you drain the oil, change the oil filter, and add fresh oil.

Q: How do I know if my engine needs to be flushed?

One of the most common causes of carbon buildup in your engine is taking frequent short trips. If you notice your ride doesn’t feel as peppy as it usually does or if there’s a drop in fuel mileage, you may need to flush your engine. Other signs include a premature oil change light, signs of oil splatter or sludge under your hood, and sludge present in your oil pan.

Q: What is the best way to flush engine oil?

Engine flush machines are great for speeding up engine flushes; however, they can be very expensive. Most drivers elect to do the job without the assistance of a machine. If you know how to change your own oil, then you possess the mechanical skills necessary to perform an engine flush job on your vehicle. 

Q: How long does it take to flush my engine without a machine?

The exact time it takes to flush your engine without the aid of a machine depends on the motor flush you’re using. The best engine sludge cleaners take as little as 10 to 15 minutes for a person of modest mechanical capabilities to perform. If you’re new to the whole wrenching thing, then the whole process will obviously take slightly longer.

Q: How much is an engine flush?

Most cost anywhere from $7 to $19 for a 15- or 16-ounce bottle. You’ll want to also factor in the cost of a replacement oil filter and motor oil. Most people choose to flush their engines without the aid of a professional, but if you do choose to have a mechanic perform the job, expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $150 in parts and labor. 

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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