There are fewer and fewer carburetor cars every year. Leading automakers have long switched to the injection type, which has a lot of advantages. This means lower fuel consumption, increased performance, a more balanced fuel-air mixture, etc. However, problems have also arisen. The injector is more expensive to repair; in addition, its injectors often become clogged, for which the “Lavr” product is often used to clean them. This flushing has its pros and cons, which we will talk about in this article.
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.
Which oil system flushing do car owners choose - LAVR or Suprotek?
In October 2022, according to PartReview,
LAVR oil system flushes topped more auto ratings than Suprotek:
LAVR is chosen by owners of such cars as:
Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, VAZ (Lada) 2110/2111/2112,
and others.
Suprotek oil system flushes have not yet managed to take leading positions in car ratings. You can help if about this manufacturer, indicating your car.
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.
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.
About the reasons for the appearance of coking
First of all, I would like to understand in more detail what contributes to severe engine contamination. The fact is that during the operation of the car, very often you have to drive at low speeds. This leads to carbon deposits forming on the valves and walls of the combustion chamber. Although in fact this is far from the only reason for the coking of an internal combustion engine, because there are a whole lot of them:
- use of low quality fuel;
- driving on a cold engine;
- using the wrong oil for the power unit.
All this gradually leads to more and more carbon deposits. Ultimately, the mobility of compression and oil rings is limited. This contributes to increased oil consumption, deterioration of engine dynamic performance and other problems.
Of course, Lavr decarbonization will help solve the problem. Consumer reviews confirm this. Let's figure out whether this domestic product is so good, how to use it and what we shouldn't forget about.
“Lavr” product: flushing the injector and engine
If you notice jerking in your car when driving, unstable engine operation, problems with starting in the cold season, then it’s time to use detergent additives.
All the work is quite easy to do yourself. To do this, a special product is poured into the gas tank every 5-6 thousand kilometers. True, such an event is carried out more as a preventative measure than as a “treatment”. Nevertheless, even owners of new cars need to do this regularly. As for “Laurel,” it is used somewhat differently.
Sequence of actions when washing
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. 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.
About the manufacturers of washes
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.
Composition of flushing additives
To understand whether it is harmful for a car to use this kind of cleaning or not, you need to understand the components that wash the engine and injectors from carbon deposits. The main component is kerosene. It is an excellent cleaner for oil stains. For greater efficiency, chemically active detergents are added, which make it possible to almost completely remove oil deposits on the nozzle channels.
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.
In detail about complete decoking
It is necessary to place the car in a horizontal position (as when changing the oil). The vehicle engine must be warmed up to operating temperature. Without this, it will not be possible to achieve the effect of a steam bath. The next step is unscrewing the spark plugs or removing the injectors, depending on the type of power unit (gasoline or diesel). Next, as noted above, you need to set the pistons to the middle position. This can be done as accurately as possible using a screwdriver, which measures the depth at which the piston is currently standing. The crankshaft can be rotated manually by 5-10 degrees. This procedure is needed so that there is no overspending of the “Laurel” and it spreads more evenly.
To dose Lavra, it is best to use a syringe. If you notice that after some time the cylinder is empty, you can add a little flushing. As for the duration of decoking, there is no clear opinion. Some leave it for an hour according to the instructions, while other drivers wash it for 12-14 hours to achieve a better effect. Here everyone must decide for themselves. The “steam bath” effect will only last for the first time, but in especially severe cases it makes sense to perform decarbonization for about 12 hours. After the spark plugs are screwed in, you need to start the engine and let it run for a while (no more than 15 minutes), while it is advisable not to increase the speed above 2.5-3.0 thousand. The next step is changing the oil and filter.
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.
What means are used to flush the engine?
Despite the fact that most washes act similarly, they are still divided into several classes. Among them:
- "Five minutes." As a rule, they are based on an organic solvent, which allows you to quickly and rapidly wash away dirt and deposits. The advantage of such products is their high speed of action. Disadvantages - along with dirt, the “five-minute” can wash away the lubricant from working mechanical pairs. As a result, scratches may appear on the parts. Therefore, such drugs can only be used when the engine is idling.
- Soft engine flushes. They are added to the oil approximately 100...300 kilometers before the scheduled oil change. They act more gently than previous products, since their base is created from calcium sulfonates (something like soap and similar detergents). In addition to the base, the composition includes dispersing additives.
- A mixture of the first two options. These can be a variety of compositions containing both solvents and detergent components with additives. As practice shows, universal tools are not as good as special ones tailored to solve a specific problem.
There is another class of rinses, which can conditionally be called folk, but they also belong to the “hard” class. For decades, before the advent of modern chemicals, motorists added various solvents, including acetone or solvent, to clean the oil system. This solution does exist, but with some limitations:
- The effect of such remedies is very limited in time. They are allowed to work literally for 3…5 minutes. Naturally, during this time they will only be able to wash off surface deposits.
- Under no circumstances should you increase the speed when there is such a flush in the engine!
As an example, we list several popular compounds belonging to certain classes (naturally, their true number is many times greater).
- “Five Minutes” - , , and EL TRANS Cleaner Oil System.
- Long-acting agents - .
- Universal means -, and.
Each of the listed rinses has its own characteristics of composition and use, so it is necessary to read the instructions!
Remember that all of the listed remedies are preventative and are not intended to decarbonize the engine. And also that before filling in new permanent oil, it is advisable to blow out the system using a compressor or use a vacuum pumping device in order to remove all remaining oil mixture in the engine (after traditional draining, about 200...300 grams always remain).
“Laurel”: flushing the cooling system. Consumer Reviews
The most reliable way to ensure the quality of a product is to test it for yourself. However, this approach often leads to dire consequences. For this simple reason, before using flushing, you need to look at what car enthusiasts or service station specialists write about it.
As for “Lavr”, today it is one of the most popular means in Russia along with “High Gear” and “Winx”. Flushing, according to reviews, has excellent cleaning properties and is not too aggressive towards rubber seals, although it has a negative effect on them.
Decoking of the "Lavrom" engine: instructions, photos
Still, the more popular and relevant method of flushing a car engine is “hard” cleaning. The fact is that not all motorists regularly use detergent additives in fuel, and not everyone owns a new car. Low quality fuel and severe operating conditions lead to the engine becoming heavily polluted and losing its performance characteristics.
First of all, it is recommended to read the instructions for using the Lavr decarbonizer. Reviews suggest that failure to comply with the dosage very often leads to dire consequences. The flushing manufacturer recommends pouring 45 ml of liquid into the cylinders, and then immediately closing the technological holes. This is done to create a steam bath. In this case, you need to try to set the pistons at approximately the same level and leave the liquid for 1 hour. It is also recommended to periodically rotate the pistons.
After a few hours, you need to unscrew the spark plugs and cover the technological holes with a clean rag. This is done in order to avoid the flushing fluid getting on the car parts. After this, turn the starter for 5-10 seconds and so on several times. In this case, it is advisable to press the accelerator pedal all the way. This will lead to the fact that the remnants of “Laurel” will completely leave the system. After this, we start the engine and let it run for 10-15 minutes at idle and variable throttle.
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.
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.
Laurel: engine flushing, instructions, features of use
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.
By the way, we note that among the various products for flushing internal combustion engines, foreign companies usually do not offer the consumer ready-made flushing oils. The fact is that in Europe and other developed countries it is unprofitable to produce and use such oils. There is also an additional need for their disposal after use. It is much more rational to add active flushing to the used oil, which then still needs to be drained, as during a regular replacement.
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.
Another feature is the residue in the engine that cannot be drained. It is important that this residue, which is a mixture of waste and washing, is minimal and does not affect the fresh oil. To do this, first of all, the washing needs to ensure maximum fluidity.
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.
By the way, the problem of filter clogging when using washing is very relevant. Often, after cleaning the engine oil system with different compositions, there were cases where washing only partially dissolved deposits in the pan, then these viscous masses clogged the oil receiver mesh filter. As a result, the engine, even with a normal oil level on the dipstick, experienced oil starvation and failed.
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.
We also recommend reading the article on how to flush the engine when changing the oil. In this article, you will learn about the various methods available for flushing the engine before changing the engine oil.
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.
Attention! Independent laboratory tests have determined that although Lavr Motor Flush Soft contains trace elements such as Ca (calcium), Mg (magnesium), B (boron), Zn (zinc), and P (phosphorus), these components are still not indicate that the manufacturer has added anti-wear and extreme pressure additives to the flush. In practice, this means that Lavr Motor Flush Soft is actually an organic solvent.
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.
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.
How do five minutes work?
The principle of operation of 5-minute engine flushes is in the name. The general essence of how such products work is similar for all manufacturers.
Before changing the oil, five minutes is poured into the engine through the oil filler neck. Then the engine runs at low or medium speed for 5 to 30 minutes. After this, the used oil is drained. During this time, the additive actively dissolves sludge and varnish deposits and removes them along with used oil from the engine.
5-minute oils have several advantages over flushing oils:
- easier way to use;
- lower final cost of washing;
- a more pronounced effect when it is necessary to remove old deposits;
- The washing procedure takes a little time.
These funds also have disadvantages:
- excessively aggressive effect on the seals (if you leave the five-minute flushing in the engine longer than the regulated period, this can lead to destruction of the rubber seals).
- increased likelihood of a large slurry element peeling off from the internal surface of the internal combustion engine and getting into the oil channel (with subsequent limitation or complete cessation of oil flow through it).
Therefore, five-minute periods should be used carefully and only when necessary. For preventative flushing, it is better to use softer, high-grade flushing oils.
