Flushing the injector with Laurel ML101 liquid test, conclusions

Many drivers are well aware that during operation of an internal combustion engine, the lubrication system of the power unit gradually becomes contaminated. Often, contaminants are formed from breakdown products of the engine oil itself.

Also, one should not exclude various malfunctions, as well as common mistakes during internal combustion engine maintenance, which also do not add to the cleanliness of the oil system (engine overheating, antifreeze getting into the oil, mixing oils from different manufacturers, untimely replacement of lubricant, etc.).

One way or another, in such a situation, practically the only accessible and effective way to clean the engine without disassembling it is to use special engine flushes. However, not all car owners practice this approach, since such a solution has supporters and opponents.

In this article, we will look at whether or not to flush the engine before changing the oil, and will also focus on the popular composition, which is known to motorists as Laurel engine flush.

Why do you need to flush the engine oil system?

So, even taking into account that the owner will use high-quality motor oil and change it regularly, contamination in the engine still cannot be avoided.
The only thing is that the intensity of their formation will be reduced. It becomes clear that pollution cannot be avoided. At the same time, it is also clear that it is optimal to remove them in advance for preventive purposes at the initial stage, before any problems begin with the engine (noisy operation, knocking of hydraulic compensators, decrease in pressure in the lubrication system, etc.).

Let us also add that car enthusiasts who change their oil 20-30% ahead of schedule often adhere to the opinion that an engine flush is not necessary when changing the oil. It is based on the assertion that the oil itself contains an active package of detergent additives that wash the engine and lubrication system.

Yes, this is true, but only partially. The fact is that a package of alkaline and other detergent additives is available, but in many cases it is not enough. Detergent additives work after 3-4 thousand km, that is, much earlier than the moment when the driver changes the oil again.

At the same time, above we discussed only motors that were not very dirty to begin with. It often happens that the power unit has a mileage of about 200 thousand km. and more, the oil was changed according to dealer regulations without adjusting for operating conditions, there are doubts about the quality of the lubricant itself, frequent transitions were made from one type of oil to another, etc. In this case, it will take a very long time to wash the engine with oil alone, or it will not be possible to achieve the desired effect at all without using a special engine flush.

Having decided that flushing is necessary, the question arises of which oil system cleaner to choose. You should also take into account some features of using engine flushes and contraindications that also exist. Let's figure it out.

In short

A competent flushing procedure first involves mechanical cleaning of the oil sump and valve cover, only then using auto chemicals. The essence of its application is simple - pour the composition into the oil, let the engine run and, depending on the type of flushing, drive with it. Next, the waste is drained, the filter is changed and new lubricant is refilled.
When changing the oil base (synthetic - semi-synthetic, etc.), it is advisable to wash it with new oil, which is planned to be refilled further.
There are accelerated washes and long-acting formulations, called soft ones. The latter have the advantage.
Reviews of the Hi-Gear soft product are positive. In the technology of how to properly flush a car engine before changing the oil, there are cases when the flushing life is not rolled out in kilometers, but is developed in engine hours. This technology is less harmful to the engine, and the effect is almost the same.
The LAVR line of automedicines is highly effective. The most popular is the “soft” liquid Motor Flush Soft.

In this article, we will look at whether or not to flush the engine before changing the oil, and will also focus on the popular composition, which is known to motorists as Laurel engine flush.

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Laurel engine flushing, instructions, features of use

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Let us immediately note that there are a large number of solutions for flushing the lubrication system on the market: Liqui Moly, Lavr, Xado, Hi-Gear, etc. You can also find so-called flushing oil, while in the Russian Federation drivers usually choose Lukoil or Zic.

Given such diversity, we decided to focus on one of the most widely represented and most popular products among engine flushes. We are talking about products under the Lavr brand.

As you can see, the most convenient and widespread is a preparation for flushing the oil system, which:

poured directly into the mining;
does not react dangerously with motor oil;
maintains the required oil viscosity when flushing;
effectively removes sludge and other deposits;
does not have a pronounced negative effect on oil seals and seals;

First of all, although manufacturers of washes claim that their formulations do not affect the oil itself and simply improve its cleaning ability, in fact this is not the case. In practice, oil dilution still occurs. This means that you cannot load the engine while using flushing, that is, the unit should only operate at idle. Otherwise, reduced viscosity can lead to accelerated wear and engine failure.

As for the LAVR line of engine oil flushes, experts took this feature into account. As a result, the wash contains a so-called viscosity corrector. In fact, it is a polymer included in the composition that prevents severe liquefaction.

If we talk about the Laurel line of cleaners and rinses, we should highlight the following products:

Lavr “Classic” five-minute wash for cars and trucks, as well as other types of commercial vehicles. There is also a more intensive 7-minute washing of the Lavr engine.
Soft flushing of the Lavr engine, designed for the internal combustion engine to be operated under moderate load for 150-200 km.

For a number of reasons, drivers often choose LAVR Motor Flush Soft 200 km. Its main difference is that you can drive with such a wash, it does not evaporate, and it also removes dirt more effectively than 5 and 7-minute “fast” compounds.

In other words, the mild oil system cleaner Lavr allows you to clean the engine for several days over 200 km, being an alternative to flushing oil. In this case, the internal combustion engine is operated under moderate loads during flushing.

LAVR Motor Flush Soft properties and practical test

So, the Motor Flush Soft detergent additive, better known as “soft flushing,” is poured into the engine lubrication system 150 or 200 km away. until the oil change is scheduled. One “portion” of this drug is enough to flush the lubrication system of such an engine, into which 4 to 6 liters are poured. oils

According to the manufacturer, washing delicately removes varnish and bitumen deposits, dissolves thickened gel-like contaminants, etc. At the same time, the presence of dispersants in the flushing composition protects the engine from wear and also helps prevent clogging of the oil system channels, oil receiver mesh and oil filter. Flushing also restores the elasticity of rubber seals and gaskets; the composition is compatible with all types of motor oils.

Let's move on to using LAVR Motor Flush Soft. According to the instructions, the first step is to warm up the engine until it reaches operating temperatures. Next, the flushing is poured into the oil filler neck. After this, the motor should run in XX mode for about 5 minutes.

Then you can drive the car without increasing the speed above 3 thousand, avoiding driving under tension, driving in high gears at low speed, etc. Maximum after 200 km. you need to drain the waste from the engine, replacing the oil and oil filter.

It turns out that you can travel up to 200 km. after adding it to mining it is highly undesirable. In simple words, it is optimal if the engine “travels” these kilometers in the form of engine hours, that is, idling.

Sequence of actions when washing

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First of all, we need “Laurel” - a soft engine flush. It is also advisable to have several liters of gasoline and a special watering can for filling. Murka games. In the proportions indicated on the can, mix “Laurel” and gasoline, after which we find the tube going from the vacuum pump to the intake manifold, disconnect it and inject the mixture there.

It is necessary to start the engine and keep the speed within 2,500 thousand. At the same time, constantly add liquid to the tube. During this time, the engine will be unstable, but this is normal. Carbon deposits and large amounts of smoke may come out of the exhaust pipe. The exhaust at this time will be extremely toxic, so it is better for them not to breathe. We turn off the engine and let it cool, after which it is advisable to replace the spark plugs with new ones if they are no longer fresh. If the spark plugs are new, it is better to use old ones while washing them, as they are very likely to become coked.

What problems might you encounter?

The decoking process does not always go smoothly. Nevertheless, this method has been known for quite a long time. Of course, slightly different means were used earlier. For example, our grandfathers simply mixed acetone and kerosene in a 1:1 ratio for decoking. In fact, “Lavr” has a similar composition with minor differences. The fact is that after flushing the combustion chamber, the oil film is completely removed from the cylinder walls. That is why the first start of the engine after decoking can be called critical. When there were no specialized products, but acetone and kerosene were used, this led to the appearance of scuffing on the pistons and other defects.

But modern products do not have such a drawback, because after their use an oil film forms on the walls, which protects the system from increased friction. But many motorists still do not trust the composition and add a little motor oil to the cylinders. There is nothing scary about it, it will burn and fly out into the exhaust pipe. Sometimes it can be quite difficult to start a car after decoking. In this case, it is recommended to install a set of new spark plugs or calcine the old ones, and while they are hot, try to start the internal combustion engine. If necessary, the procedure must be repeated several times.

About the manufacturers of washes

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One of the most popular liquids with the largest number of positive reviews is “Lavr”. This manufacturer has proven itself to be the best. This liquid must not be poured into the tank, as indicated on the label. According to owner reviews, the average rating for the liquid is 4 out of five. Many people say that you shouldn’t expect a miracle, but the product copes with its immediate task as it should.

Another popular one. Its cost is approximately the same as that of “Lavr” (a little more expensive, but not significant). As for the ratings, it’s also 4/5. True, experts say it is no worse than Winx, but less harmful to health. A product like High Gear is expensive, but it also cleans somewhat better. Well, now let's return directly to our topic.

Let's sum it up

So we figured out how to do and why you need to wash the injectors. “Lavr”, reviews of which all boil down to the fact that the product is worthy of attention, copes with the task completely. However, we must not forget that overuse of such a chemically active liquid can lead to “eating” of rubber seals and seals. For this simple reason, you need to follow the instructions and not come up with anything unnecessary.

Really high-quality washing “Lavr” - reviews repeatedly confirm this. The domestic manufacturer does not produce the product at the lowest cost, but recently its effectiveness has been higher than that of Winx. Also, experts prefer to work with Laurel, which is not surprising, given the health harm caused by Winx.

Operation of the injector will be problem-free if you periodically monitor and clean the system, and also use the “Lavr” flushing fluid. Please note once again that you cannot pour “Lavr” into the tank if it is written on the label! If you do not have any experience in flushing the injector and cooling system, it is better to let specialists do this. But even here you need to be confident in the services of the service station, since there are often cases when they took money from the driver, but did not do their job, and if they did, it was done poorly. Therefore, always be vigilant.

Injector contamination level

As practice shows, not every car owner maintains his car on time. This usually leads to even more serious consequences. An example is injectors. They are responsible for uniform injection of the fuel-air mixture into the cylinder. Over time, both the cylinder and the injectors become coated with carbon deposits, resulting in reduced engine performance. Experts distinguish three degrees of injector contamination:

5-7% - almost imperceptible to the driver, since there are no signs of malfunction. Fuel consumption increases slightly.
10-15% - twitching is noticeable while driving, a drop in dynamic characteristics, and fuel consumption increases.
15-30% is a critical level. Gasoline consumption increases significantly, the engine sputters at idle, and most often stalls when cold.

Based on the above points, we can conclude that the first stage is not so critical, in addition, only an experienced specialist can detect the malfunction. But the lack of action on the part of the driver leads to the second, and accordingly, the final stage. Here the situation is more serious and requires special attention.

Why it's better not to experiment

Many people try to carry out various experiments with washings, which in most cases end sadly. For example, the concentration of the rinse is changed. There is no need to do this, since almost the entire point of using the product is lost. It does not give the desired result, but the money is wasted.

In addition, you should not fill in more than necessary, especially if there is little gasoline in the tank. This can lead to the fact that you simply won’t get to the gas station without incident. For example, soft washing “Lavr” at a high concentration has an extremely negative effect on rubber seals, which can subsequently result in replacing gaskets and seals, which is costly.

Active additives - good or bad?

There are a large number of both supporters of chemically active components and those who categorically refuse to use them. Both the first and second are based on life experience, technical knowledge or simply expert advice.

First, you need to understand how flushing works on car systems. Let's highlight the main strengths and weaknesses:

chemically active components, which can be called aggressive, have a negative effect on all rubber gaskets and seals. This leads to their accelerated wear;
if the viscosity of the additive does not correspond to the viscosity of the oil, then its use is strictly prohibited, as indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging with flushing;
Low-quality products for removing oil deposits only make things worse (they clog the catalytic converter, spark plugs), resulting in more problems than they are worth.

That is why not every car owner is satisfied with the result.

Protecting the system after cleaning

There is no need to talk about the quality of domestic fuel. Often, fuel contains a large amount of impurities that exceed all possible standards and environmental tolerances. In some cases, gasoline is diluted, which has a detrimental effect on the fuel system of a modern car. If we add to all this the difficult operating conditions of the internal combustion engine (traffic jams, long-term operation, overheating), then it’s not far from a breakdown. It’s good if you use Lavr engine flushing, reviews of which confirm its effectiveness. But few people use this remedy regularly.

In order for the “iron horse” to work properly, it is advisable to protect the system with special liquids immediately after flushing. If you follow the advice of experienced specialists and the car manufacturer, you can significantly extend the life of important components of the car. This applies to the cooling system, fuel, brake, etc.

Why does a car injector get clogged and how to deal with it?

Most chemical compounds found in fuel, such as sulfur, olefin and benzene, form tar deposits in the vehicle's fuel system. They cannot be removed with gasoline, as they are covered with a dense brown crust. The lower quality fuel is used, the more such deposits accumulate in the car over time.

It is quite logical that the overall efficiency of the car decreases, as the injectors become dirty. Due to the fact that complex injector flushing is a rather labor-intensive procedure, many people drive like this until a critical moment comes. The car will start to stall, the engine will run unstably, and some mornings you may not even start. To prevent this from happening, a liquid called “Laurel” is used. In this case, flushing the injector comes down to a few simple manipulations, which we will talk about in this article. It is also necessary to touch upon the engine cooling system.

Regular maintenance is the key to success

We have already figured out a little about what functions “Lavr” performs. Flushing the cooling system, injectors and engine - all this can be done with this product. However, do not forget that to achieve maximum results it is necessary to carry out regular maintenance.

For example, after cleaning the injectors they become dirty again, no matter how sad that may be. As a result, the situation repeats itself. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to periodically use detergent additives, but not too often. When replacing antifreeze, which is done once every 12-24 months, it is advisable to flush the system as a preventive measure. In the same way, when replacing spark plugs with new ones, you can clean the injectors and the fuel system as a whole. It definitely won’t be superfluous, but you can sleep peacefully.

About the car cooling system

When antifreeze turns an abnormal color, usually bright orange, there is rust in the system. In this case, it is necessary to flush the radiator and all channels. You can do this either independently or at a service station. “Lavr” is suitable as the main remedy. Flushing the cooling system will take quite a long time, since in case of severe contamination the situation will not be improved in one approach.

The first step is to drain the old antifreeze from the system. Next, take “Laurel” and fill one jar, then add distilled water to the minimum. We start the engine and let it run for about half an hour. After that, we drain it and see that there is a lot of rust in the pipes and radiators. It is advisable to repeat the procedure again in the same order. If rust still stands out, then at the third stage we simply use distillate, without rinsing. After the above procedures, fill in fresh antifreeze and enjoy the result.