During operation of a vehicle with different types of internal combustion engines (diesel, gasoline) car owners are often faced with recommendations to flush the oil system.
It is advisable to flush the engine for maintenance before the scheduled oil change, also rinsing may be required after troubleshooting (antifreeze in the lubrication system, getting fuel into the crankcase), when switching from one oil to another, etc.. d.
However, not all drivers are convinced not only of the need, but also in favor of such washing for the motor. Next we'll talk about that, what results should be expected in that case, if you use flushing oils and flushes for the engine. The practice flush test will also help answer many controversial questions.
Why it is recommended to wash the engine before changing the oil
so, well known, that motor oil has active detergents, protective and other properties. However, everyone knows that, that after a short period of time the additive, which are part of the product, have the ability to work, fat oxidizes and ages.
As a result, the channels of the oil system are covered with deposits and various contaminants. For this reason, clear oil change intervals are defined, at the same time the correction on features of operation of the engine is made, fuel quality, etc.. d.
Given the above, at first glance it may seem, that it is enough in time to drain old and to fill in new lubricant. Fresh oil will wash away all dirt, which should automatically eliminate any problems. However, in practice it is not so simple.
The second method is additional flushing of the lubrication system before pouring fresh oil into the engine. Of course, the method is more expensive and not always convenient (especially in cases of self-service cars). Also complicates the task and the choice of washing compositions, as the lubrication system can be washed by various means, which differ in the scheme of application and properties.
We are talking about quick washes (so-called "five minutes", which are poured into the test before draining), and also about full-volume washing oils, on which the motor runs from several tens of minutes to several hours under load while driving (depending on the type of a composition).
Engine flushing testing
To obtain answers, a practical test of engine oil system flushing was performed, and the results were compared not only with each other, but also with those, which gave the usual oil change without the use of any washing (on the principle of simple draining and filling of a fresh canister of greasing).
For comparison, some of the most famous and popular manufacturers were selected, each of which claims its own unique technology (Liqui Moly, open, Hi-Gear, Lukoil, Opposite).
Let's move on to the test. The main task was to reproduce the most common situations, when the driver either changes the oil without flushing, or practices replacement with the use of these washing compositions of different types.
- At the beginning, the engine is warmed up to operating temperature, after which the engine was shut down. Then the oil was drained in the "classic" way (gravity through the drain hole) until complete cessation of leaks and drops. In parallel, replace the oil with fresh, the oil filter was replaced.
- The second step in the test was a similar procedure, only after a complete drain of oil did the engine start, allowing the motor to work close 60 sec. without oil. As a result of such operation from the engine dirty working off in addition merged. Then the filter was replaced and fresh oil was poured.
- Subsequently, washings were used. First, the engine was filled with full-volume wash oils for quick cleaning (old oil is completely replaced by washing), after which the power unit worked on them for about 20 minutes on the twentieth. After washing, merged, the engine was filled with ordinary oil.
- The test was followed by a five-minute wash, which are poured into the already existing in the engine working off. The engine worked in such warehouses 10 min. in idle mode.
- The final stage was the filling of full-volume washing oils in the internal combustion engine, which are designed for a long period of washing. In such a warehouse, the power unit worked out the conditional 200 km. mileage, then the washing oil was drained and poured fresh base.
Let's move on to the results. After each replacement method with or without washing, the condition of the fresh oil was assessed, the degree of its contamination, etc.. d.
- so, after normal replacement (the old oil merged and was poured fresh) deterioration of certain characteristics of fresh oil is observed. In other words, the service life of fresh oil in this case is reduced.
If you analyze the acid and alkaline numbers, in the tested engine fresh oil immediately "aged" on 2 thousand. km. Its increased viscosity was also noted. The point is, that when draining the lubricant in the engine inevitably remains non-draining residue. These residues are mixed with new oil, changing its properties and characteristics.
We will note still, that the method of replacement with short-term start of the internal combustion engine without oil has not changed the situation, even with that in mind, that managed to merge more residue, squeezing them out of the oil channels. At the same time from the hidden felt and from surfaces of details effectively to remove working off by such method all the same it does not turn out.
- Now it's time for washing oils, which involve short-term idle operation of the internal combustion engine. After their use, the alkaline number and acidity became better.
We also recommend reading the article about it, how to flush the engine with diesel fuel before changing the oil. In this article you will learn about this method of flushing the engine lubrication system, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this solution.
It was noticed in parallel, that the viscosity of the fresh oil has deteriorated somewhat, as it is just as difficult to get rid of washing residues, as well as from working off (this has already been discussed above). It is also worth noting, that the total mass of deposits in the fresh lubricant has become less, also significantly reduced the number of metal inclusions.
- Next, let's move on to washing "five minutes", which are poured into practice. The result was quite satisfactory, fresh butter was in good condition. At the same time, its viscosity decreased slightly.
pay attention, taking into account the frequent cases of oil starvation of the motor after the use of such compositions, as part of the test, the engine tray was specially removed. After removal, it accumulated deposits, which flushing removed from the walls. The tool only exfoliates such deposits, but unable to dissolve them.
In simple words, a large amount of deposits in the pan after the use of "five minutes" with very active cleaning properties may well clog the oil pan, narrow channels for oil supply, etc.. d. The result will be an oil starvation of the engine, damage to the crankshaft bearings, camshaft, etc.. d.
- The last in the test used washing oils, which involve flushing the lubrication system under load. After draining such washing and pouring fresh oil, new oil was in good condition in all respects, except that the viscosity has decreased slightly.
Note, that the engine in this case was also revealed. No dangerous deposits were found in the pallet, that is, they were dissolved. Compared to the fast "five minutes", the result was noticeably better.
As a result
As you can see, the test of washing oils and washings for the engine clearly demonstrates a situation and allows to draw certain conclusions. However, it is important to understand that, that unequivocally answer the question, whether to flush the engine before changing the oil, still does not work.
First of all, it is necessary to make an adjustment for a specific engine, his condition, operating conditions, lubrication replacement service intervals, the quality of the oil used, etc.. d. Example, if the owner pours the same good quality oil, and it always changes everyone 7-8 thousand. km, then rinsing is not required. Even non-draining residues can not cause great damage to fresh lubricants.
At the same time it is better to wash out the motor at change of type, class and oil manufacturer (when moving from one brand to another, from synthetics to semi-synthetics, etc.. d.). Washing is also desirable then, when for various reasons the service interval was increased, the oil got antifreeze or antifreeze (the emulsion appeared), the engine overheated. The engine still needs to be washed, if the previous service history of the car is unknown.
We also recommend reading the article about it, how to choose the best engine oil. In this article you will learn about the types and types of flushing oils, as well as about, what to consider when selecting engine oil.
We should not forget about that, that there is always a risk of falsifying the engine. If this happened, then the power unit must be flushed, and especially carefully. The method of washing is determined by the owner, what the above test can help.