Best Engine Cleaners of 2026
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Engine cleaners are essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of your vehicle's engine. These products help to remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants that can build up over time and cause damage to your engine. Engine cleaners come in a variety of forms, including sprays, foams, and gels, and are designed to be used on different types of engines. Some cleaners are specifically formulated for diesel engines, while others are better suited for gasoline engines. Regardless of the type of engine you have, using an engine cleaner on a regular basis can help to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and extend the life of your engine.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Engine Cleaners
Chemical Guys Signature Series Orange Degreaser
The Chemical Guys Signature Series Orange Degreaser is a professional-strength citrus degreaser that removes the toughest dirt, grime, and grease. It is blended with powerful citrus extracts and hyper surfactants, making it versatile in any situation. The product ships at full strength and is super concentrated, allowing users to tailor their own cleaning solution. It can remove years of grime from engines, wheels, suspension components, and undercarriage parts.
3D Grand Blast Engine Degreaser
3D Grand Blast Degreaser is a powerful cleaner designed to tackle tough oil, grease, and grime on your engine, wheels, and exhaust parts. It works quickly to break down dirt without the need for heavy scrubbing, saving you time and effort. This cleaner is safe to use on many surfaces like metal, plastic, paint, and rubber, so you don't have to worry about damage or stains. Plus, it has a low odor and rinses off easily, leaving no residue behind. If you care about the environment, this biodegradable formula gives you strong cleaning results while being eco-friendly and responsible.
Fast Orange 22340 Grease X Mechanic's Laundry Detergent
The Fast Orange Grease X Detergent is designed to tackle tough stains like grease, oil, and grime that often ruin mechanic uniforms and work clothes. It not only cleans deeply but also helps prevent these stubborn stains from sticking, keeping your clothes looking fresh after hard, dirty work. If you've been dealing with lingering smells from fuel, oil, or exhaust, this detergent tackles those odors at their source to leave your clothes smelling clean. Plus, it works as a powerful pretreatment—just apply a little to heavily stained spots before washing to boost the cleaning power. It even helps keep your washing machine free from greasy buildup, ensuring your washer stays clean and runs smoothly.
QWORK Air Blow Gun with 4Ft Hose
The QWORK Air Blow Gun is designed to make cleaning your engine and machinery easier and more effective. Its powerful spray quickly removes dirt, grease, and oil, saving you time and effort. Thanks to the long nozzle, you can reach tight and awkward spaces like engine bays and wheel interiors, ensuring thorough cleaning in hard-to-access areas. The included 4-foot hose lets you connect to your solvent sprayer, so you can easily draw cleaning fluids without hassle. Plus, the ergonomic handle and pressure trigger give you comfortable control, helping you work efficiently without straining your hand.
3D Orange Degreaser All Purpose Organic Citrus Cleaner
The 3D Orange Degreaser is a premium organic citrus all purpose cleaner that is safe and effective to clean various interior and exterior surfaces such as plastic, cloth, vinyl, metal, leather, and carpet. It is perfect for removing dirt, grease, and grime without leaving any residue or stains. This degreaser is ideal for areas that need extra attention and can replace heavy duty commercial grade degreasers. Proudly made in the USA, 3D Orange Degreaser is a tried and trusted cleaning solution for over 25 years.
KRAKEN BOND Engine Cleaner Spray
KRAKEN BOND Engine Degreaser is an effective solution for cleaning your engine. It targets burned oil and dirt on valve covers and engine tops, making your engine look fresh again. You can quickly apply it by spraying on the dirty areas, then using a microfiber towel to wipe away stubborn grime. This product is versatile, suitable for cars, motorcycles, and even lawnmowers. Plus, it's safe for the environment and won't damage electronic parts, ensuring your engine remains unharmed while achieving a clean, polished appearance.
Mystik JT-6 Hi-Temp Grease Cartridge 14 oz
The Mystik JT-6 Grease offers strong protection against heavy shocks, making it ideal if you need reliable lubrication under tough conditions. It’s great for parts that face a lot of stress, like disc brake wheel bearings and backhoe hinge pins, helping to keep them running smoothly. You’ll also benefit from its ability to handle demanding environments such as mining sites, sand and gravel plants, or construction equipment. This grease is designed to protect your machinery even in severe service situations, extending the life of your equipment and reducing downtime.
WD-40 Specialist Machine & Engine Degreaser Foaming Spray
WD-40 Specialist Machine & Engine Degreaser Foaming Spray is a powerful, low-residue formula that removes oil, grease, grime, and dirt from machinery and all types of engines. Its water-based foaming formula penetrates deep into crevices for a completely clean result. The nozzle sprays degreaser up to 5 ft. for long-distance application and the included straw creates a precision stream of cleaner for controlled application. This engine cleaner foam is recommended for auto and truck engines, industrial machinery, and farm equipment.
PURPLE POWER 4319PS Cleaner Degreaser
The PURPLE POWER Industrial Cleaner is designed to tackle grease, oil, and dirt quickly with its strong concentrated formula. This means you can clean tough messes without scrubbing hard or using a lot of product. It also forms a protective layer that helps prevent stains from soaking into surfaces, making future cleaning easier. In just seconds, this cleaner breaks down and removes even stubborn stains, saving you time and effort. Plus, it works well on many surfaces, whether you're cleaning your car, home, boat, farm equipment, or workshop tools, giving you a versatile solution for many cleaning needs.
CRC Salt Terminator Engine Flush, Cleaner, And Corrosion Inhibitor
The CRC Salt Terminator is a market-leading solution designed to dissolve and eliminate harmful salt particles and debris from different vehicle/marine engines and cooling systems. It creates a protective layer around internal marine engine components and protects them from rust and salt corrosion. It is ideal for use on RVs, trucks, ATVs, boats, PWCs, trailers, fishing gear, patio furniture, and more! The product is available in a 1-gallon container and works efficiently in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What cleaner can you use to clean your engine?
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is a recommended option for cleaning your engine. It is non-corrosive and safe for use on various metals like chrome, aluminum, and stainless steel. The engine-safe formula effectively breaks down tough grease, oil, road grime, and other automotive fluids, making it ideal for engine cleaning.
2. Is engine cleaner good for your car?
Using engine cleaners on modern cars generally does not have any adverse impacts. The engine bay is safe for cleaning with water, but caution should be exercised to avoid spraying alternators and using high-pressure water. Delicate components can be damaged, affecting their performance.
3. What are the disadvantages of engine cleaner?
While engine flushes have more benefits than disadvantages, there are a few cons to consider. Using engine cleaners may potentially damage rubber seals and gaskets. The harsh chemicals used to dissolve sludge can have a negative effect on rubber, causing it to dry out and crack at high temperatures.
4. When should I put engine cleaner in my car?
The frequency of engine cleaning depends on the advice of car mechanics and dealers. While some recommend using an engine cleaner every 3,000 to 8,000 miles, modern engines are generally efficient at keeping sludge at bay. It is recommended to perform a full engine flush at around 35,000 miles.
5. What to avoid when cleaning engine?
When cleaning your car engine, it is important to do so safely to prevent damage and ensure personal safety. Make sure the engine is cool before starting, use a non-flammable cleaner, and avoid getting water inside the engine. Following these precautions will help keep your engine running smoothly and prevent corrosion.
During our engine cleaner research, we found 24 engine cleaner products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 84,045 customer reviews through our big data system to write the engine cleaners list. We found that most customers choose engine cleaners with an average price of $16.64.
The engine cleaners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of engine cleaners, including Chemical Guys, 3D, Fast Orange, QWORK, KRAKEN BOND. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
David Davis has rich experience as a mechanic and a general repairman in the automotive industry. It has given him plenty of knowledge in automobile repair, auto parts, and all kinds of tools. In his spare time, he enjoys assembling and disassembling parts for cars.
Engine Cleaners Comparison Table
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| Brand | Chemical Guys | 3D | Fast Orange | QWORK | 3D | KRAKEN BOND | Mystik | WD-40 Specialist | PURPLE POWER | CRC |
| Item Form | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | - | Liquid | Aerosol | - | Spray | Spray | - |
| Scent | Orange | Unscented | Orange | - | Orange | Characteristic | - | Unscented | Lavender | - |
| Specific Uses For Product | Multipurpose Degreaser | Engine, Floor | - | - | Car | Engine degreaser | - | Automotive Exterior | multi surface cleaner | - |
| Material Feature | Scented | Natural | - | - | Organic | Biodegradable Warning | - | Recyclable | Biodegradable | - |
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