The Hyundai authorized dealer recommended an engine flush when I recently had my Hyundai Tucson serviced, even before they had inspected the car. By injecting a chemical into the engine and idling it, a “engine flush” gets rid of the sludge. Chemical use makes it potentially harmful to the engines of modern automobiles.
Because an engine flush was not included in the Hyundai Recommended Maintenance Schedules, I was concerned. When I contacted Hyundai directly, they provided the following response:
I’ve spoken to our technical division both domestically and internationally, and they have advised me that Hyundai doesn’t advocate a [engine] flush at servicing.
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Don’t call me Shirley, please.
Yes, although not nearly as frequently as with automatics. It was therefore intended to be considerably more difficult to check. The transaxle casing has two plugs—one for filling and the other for draining. You can pull the plug on the filler one and stick your pinky in to see if it comes out oily because it is at the proper amount of fullness.
In automatic transmissions, the fluid actually transfers engine power across the torque converter. The fluid is essentially the clutch. It doesn’t experience as much stress in a manual because it’s just dumb lubricant, and as a result, it lasts much longer.
Many individuals let their cars run “forever” without ever stopping to check or adjust. Occasionally, that’s acceptable, but if you really want to treat your automobile well, you should switch it out every few years. The Hyundai-recommended change interval escapes me.
Although I understand that you requested for sbr711’s opinion, I’ll still give mine: radiator flushes. The possibility exists that the cooling system will experience greater pressure than it was intended to under the flushing mechanism (a pump system). Overpressurizing a water system might cause the weakest part to malfunction and leak. Frequently, this is the heater core, which requires a lot of labor to replace. Many businesses are aware of this issue, so instead of flushing the system, they simply drain it and fill it using gravity. then charge you for a complex “flush” job. Personally, I’ve never felt the need for a pressurized flush on any vehicle I’ve ever driven.
skyship
A SUMMARY OF THE DANGERS OF FLUSH USE.
NOTE: The 2011 GM warning and this one from Hyundai are extremely similar.
If you don’t like links, EHOW has prepared a good brief synopsis, so here it is:
Complete engine failure is the most frequent risk associated with engine flushes. This is especially amusing considering that Motorlife, the innovators of engine flushing systems, claims that regular engine flushing increases a vehicle engine’s overall performance, restores its efficiency, and extends the engine’s lifespan. A automobile engine is most vulnerable to harm just after an engine flush, claims Chris Martin of America Honda Public Relations. This was demonstrated by a number of cases involving vehicle repair companies like Jiffy Lube and EZLube, including Kansas City client Pat Marriott’s claim that his Nissan Sentra sustained $5,000 in damage as a result of a Jiffy Lube engine flush treatment.
The chemicals utilized for the engine flush, according to an undercover investigative report by NBC Los Angeles on Jiffy Lube’s engine flushes, are intended to break-down the sludgy deposits that accumulate inside a car’s engine. The flush procedure’s debris or sediment, nevertheless, can end up clogging other areas of the engine and causing more harm. Because of this, many large automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and others, exclude coverage for engine flush-related damages from their warranties. Although it is not recommended by automobile manufacturers, some auto technicians during NBC’s undercover investigation suggested draining the engine nevertheless.
Hyundai Motors released a technical service notice in February 2009 that advises against draining the engines of any Hyundai cars. The technique and special chemicals used to clean engines can harm internal components, particularly engine seals and bearings. These parts’ damage has the potential to cause harmful oil and lubricant leakage. Because an unusually unclean engine is not a typical issue, Popular Mechanics rates engine flushes as one of the top five needless car maintenance treatments.
Keep in mind that the GM warning is still valid and the Hyundai caution was reissued in 2012; the other manufacturers are only interested in selling you an engine!
Question: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe engine flush
My automobile has traveled 80,000 kilometers. I performed an engine cleanse at the 80,000 km oil change. Whether or not it is required It must be done, they insisted. advice, please
Hi – I take your reference to a “system flush” to be a flushing out of the actual engine to remove oil sludge. Sometimes a substance called Seafoam is used for an oil flush. It’s unusual to have your mileage coincide with an oil system cleanse. Regular oil and filter changes enable engines to run for up to 150K miles before needing to be flushed. Engine sludge is brought on by stop-and-go driving, brief travel distances, and a failure to change the oil and filter on schedule. This “requirement” strikes me as being suspect.
Unless there is a need for flushing or there is oil pollution, you do not always need to flush out the engine while changing the oil and filter in the motor. Every three years or 35,000 kilometers, the cooling system should be replaced. If necessary, it should also be cleansed before coolant replacement.
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A good maintenance routine includes an engine flush.
In fact, it’s frequently the initial step in bringing a neglected vehicle back to peak performance. And that’s frequently what you get when you purchase a used car – a car whose owner preferred Saturday afternoon antiquing to performing maintenance tasks like changing the oil or removing the gearbox pan. As a result, while not entirely rubbish, your “pre-owned” vehicle may have a questionable maintenance history.
In these situations, a strong, detergent-based flush can aid in getting the engine ready for new oil by releasing stuck valves or rings and aiding in the removal of hazardous sludge.
While flushing your engine is not necessary when converting to AMSOIL synthetic motor oil, we do advise it if you want to give your car a new start.
Do automakers advise engine flushing?
Over nine years have passed since this article was published. Some information might not be up to date anymore.
I frequently get a quick oil change at a chain. Despite the fact that I am unsure of what a complete engine flush is, they routinely try to sell it to me. I had assumed that they would remove the old oil, replace the filter, and add fresh oil. Does this flush have any value, and what is it?
According to an engine expert, most cars won’t ever require an engine flush, which cleans the crud from the engine of your car.
According to Dennis Mott, an automotive lecturer at Centennial College in Toronto, “If you complete your oil changes frequently, you shouldn’t have a need for an engine flush.” 99 percent of vehicles on the road will never require one.
During an engine flush, a technician removes some oil and applies a chemical flush additive that dissolves carbon buildup inside the engine. The deposits are released and trapped in the filter when the car is driven to allow the chemical to pass through. Then all the crud is removed and you get an oil change and fresh filter.
It’s comparable to some of the less appealing cleanses available at health food stores, only this one is for your car.
After an engine flush, you must change the oil; otherwise, your system will become clogged. That is the reason why they are sold concurrently with oil changes.
How does gunk accumulate? By driving a lot in stop-and-go traffic, putting off oil changes for too long, or having your car sit idle for extended periods of time.
Condensation forms when oil isn’t moving through an automobile over the winter, according to Mott. In order to avoid build-up in a couple of my ancient cars, which I only seldom drive, I switched to a high performance oil.
If you’re buying an old car with 100,000 miles or more on it and are unsure of how often the oil was changed, Mott advises flushing the system.
Even if there was some build-up in your automobile, the oil change shop generally couldn’t tell unless they were aware of any gaps in your maintenance schedule. And you surely don’t need it on a regular basis.
Does engine flushing harm engines?
Engine flushes can harm your engine, as General Motors suggests in the paper mentioned above. In the event of an oil spill, the chemicals in cleaning additives might harm engine seals, necessitating costly repairs. Additionally, these substances have the potential to harm turbochargers, oil-lubricated parts, and engine bearings.
How often should you flush the engine of your car?
The majority of auto professionals and dealers would advise using an engine cleaner every 3,000 to 8,000 miles, although modern engines are fairly good at fending off gunk. At about 35,000 miles, a complete engine flush is advised.
It’s crucial to remember that vehicles older than 8 years or with more than 150 000 miles may not require engine cleaning because the buildup might be advantageous. Before utilizing an engine degreaser, always do your study on the brand and type of engine in your automobile.
Should you perform a flush before changing the oil?
While most routinely driven and maintained vehicles don’t require an engine flush, there are a few situations where it may be beneficial:
vehicles with a questionable maintenance history. An engine flush followed by a couple quarts of fresh oil could prevent headaches down the road if you recently purchased an older used automobile at a great deal without any maintenance records.
latest internal engine upgrades in automobiles. You are aware of this engine’s extensive maintenance history. An engine flush could remove any residue from previous engine work before adding fresh oil to your car.
vehicles that go a long time between oil changes. You are aware of this car’s maintenance history and that the owner hardly ever changed the oil. Since unclean oil only becomes dirtier, there is virtually likely accumulation inside the engine. The car’s lifespan might be extended with an engine clean.
What advantages can an engine flush offer?
Instead than just draining the oil and replacing the filter, you should get your engine cleaned for the following key reasons:
- In an engine flush, deposits are removed. Your engine can develop sludge, muck, and carbon deposits that reduce power, increase wear, and impact fuel economy. Most of your deposits are removed and drained out with a skilled flush.
- Giving your engine a “clean slate” is what flushing entails. An engine flush restores your engine to nearly new condition, unlike a simple oil change. An oil flush is an excellent idea, especially after engine repairs or parts replacement, just as a cleanse is good for your body.
- Your new oil stays cleaner thanks to it. Your oil will not stay clean for very long if you put clean oil in a dirty engine. In order to prevent them from being redeposited in your engine, you don’t want your new oil to pick up the old sludge and deposits that were left behind during your oil change.
- What your filter misses is removed during an engine flush. Although a fresh filter will aid in purging your oil of pollutants and pollution, no filter is 100% effective. Clean out debris so that your filter can remove what is left without becoming immediately blocked with old oil residue.
- Engine parts can be cleaned via a flush. Most engine parts cannot be accessed without disassembling the engine, which is expensive and time-consuming. To ensure that your fresh oil can effectively lubricate internal engine components, use a professional flush to clean the parts.
Our Bar’s Leaks team will work with you to maximize the performance of your engine. If you want more information on the advantages of an engine flush or using any of our products, fill out our contact form or use our distributor locator to discover a store near you that offers them.
Although we don’t sell engine flushes, we advise keeping the area as clean as possible before beginning any installation of our goods. This is especially true for any of our cooling system products, but the installation of any of our oil repair products also follows the same advice.