Best Engine Degreasers

Review & Comparison, Last Update November 30, 2023
Engine cleaner, also known as an engine degreaser, is any product that was specifically designed to clean engine parts from dirt, ...Read more
PROS

The formula is non-flammable and water-based. It does not incorporate noxious odors, chlorinated solvents, or petroleum products. The solution works really well on closed systems like air conditioning, compressor lines, boiler tubes, heat exchangers, and different coils. 

CONS

The cap doesn't always seal that well after you pop it for the first time. 

OUR VERDICT

POR-15 40101 Engine Degreaser is probably the best engine degreaser on the list. Its potency is off the charts. The formula is as safe as it is functional. There isn't much that the product won't allow you to clean and degrease.

detailed parameters
Type

External engine cleaner and degreaser 

Kit Contents

1-gallon (128 fl. oz.) bottle

Best for

Engines, Fuel tanks, Holding tanks, Grease traps, Plastics, Wood, Fiberglass, Painted surfaces and more

Formula

Non-flammable, water-based formula

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The product's formula doesn't contain acids, abrasive, or petroleum solvents. You can use it with all systems, including septic. The solution is non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-hazardous, and USDA-approved for non-food surfaces. It is perfectly safe for households with pets.

CONS

The cleaner isn't always that easy to remove. 

OUR VERDICT

Oil Eater Original will prove just as useful in household, industrial, and commercial settings. The solution has a faint but pleasant smell to it, making the product particularly suitable for close quarters with limited airflow.

detailed parameters
Type

External engine cleaner and degreaser 

Kit Contents

1-gallon (128 fl. oz.) bottle

Best for

Engines, Fuel tanks, Holding tanks, Grease traps, Plastics, Wood, Fiberglass, Painted surfaces and more

Formula

Biodegradable, non-toxic formula

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The solution will be able to cure hesitation, pings, stalls, flat spots, and rough idle that comes from carbon buildup. It will help you clean intake valves, pistons, and combustion chamber deposits. The curved adapter on the nozzle tube lets you distribute the cleaner in limited spaces like the front part of the throttle plate location, fuel tanks, etc. 

CONS

Make sure the grease remover doesn't interact with your skin.

OUR VERDICT

We could recommend the Sea Foam SS14 engine cleaner and lube to just about any and every car owner. Small-time and professional mechanics will likely find the product equally useful. It is cost-effective and practical enough for professional use.

detailed parameters
Type

Internal gasoline engine cleaner and lube

Kit Contents

12 oz. spray bottle

Best for

All types of 2- or 4-stroke gasoline engines (GDI engines, standard fuel injected engines, carbureted engines)

Formula

Flammable formula (contents under pressure)

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The solution loosens and breaks down the toughest grease, dirt, oil, and grime for easy rinse afterward. The formula is heavily concentrated. Its full strength should be reserved for the toughest assignments. Otherwise, we would recommend diluting it up to 20:1 for those lighter duty cleaning jobs that do not necessarily require too much strength.

CONS

The product has a chemical smell to it. 

OUR VERDICT

Chemical Guys CLD_201_16 Signature Series Orange Degreaser is as strong as they come. The product's citrus-based formula will be able to handle the toughest jobs. It will help you clean engines, tools and machinery, tires, wheels, and different floors. 

detailed parameters
Type

External engine cleaner and degreaser 

Kit Contents

16 oz. spray bottle

Best for

Engines, Machinery, Tools, Wheels, Tires, Undercarriages, Shops, Bathrooms and more

Formula

Biodegradable, non-toxic formula

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The thick foam will not do any damage to electrical components. Just let it soak for 10-15 minutes and hose it all off afterward. The solution adds a protective layer with a nice satin shine finish that shields the engine parts against dust buildup and makes future cleanups easier.

CONS

Doesn't work that well with metal parts. 

OUR VERDICT

Gunk FEB1 Foamy is cost-effective and versatile enough to justify a spot on this list. Provided the metal parts are covered, the solution will be able to help you with cars, trucks, RVs, ATVs, bikes, power mowers, marines, farm equipment, tractors, and many other machinery pieces. 

detailed parameters
Type

External engine cleaner (designed for engines with plastic covers)

Kit Contents

17 oz. spray bottle

Best for

Engine plastic covers, hoses

Formula

Flammable formula (contents under pressure)

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

Engine Degreasers Fuel Injector Cleaners

Not Much It Can't Do

POR-15 40101 Engine Cleaner Degreaser is about as potent and versatile as they come. According to the people behind the product, the formula here represents a breakthrough in metal cleaners. Well, we don't really care for lofty promises like "breakthrough" but we can't say that these people aren't on the money with that premise.

The formula is non-flammable and water-based. It does not incorporate noxious odors, chlorinated solvents, or petroleum products. With it, you'll be able to easily clean and degrease metal, wood, fiberglass, plastic, and different painted surfaces including but not limited to engines, fuel tanks, holding tanks, grease traps, and transformers.

On top of that, the solution works just as well on closed systems like air conditioning, compressor lines, boiler tubes, heat exchangers, and different coils. It will be able to remove grease, oil, and dirt from many different constructions and parts.

As far as we can tell, there are no major issues with the formula. The only thing we have a problem with is the bottle. More specifically, the cap that doesn't always seal that well after you pop it for the first time.

In short, POR-15 40101 water based degreaser is probably the best grease remover on the list. Its potency is off the charts. The formula is as safe as it is functional. There isn't much that the product won't allow you to clean and degrease.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $26.26
Stock In stock
ASIN B00J594EGI

Household, Commercial, Industrial

Oil Eater Original delivers on the "oil-eating" promise. The formula is very well able to dissolve grease and oils from just about every surface. More importantly, it does so in the safest manner possible. The doesn't contain acids, abrasive, or petroleum solvents. The formula is water-based and biodegradable. You can use it with all systems, including septic. The solution is non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-hazardous, and USDA-approved for non-food surfaces.

Of course, we're talking about a concentrated product here, so make sure you're using the dilution chart available on the bottle to achieve maximum performance and value.

As far as household use is concerned, the product will be able to help you with laundry prespots, stoves, tubs and tiles, floors, carpets, grills and decks, siding, white wall tires, asphalt and concrete driveways, as well as with many other surfaces.

In terms of industrial uses, this engine cleaner will work wonders with engines (duh), different tools and machinery, floor scrubbers, pressure washers, exhaust hoods, and many different car parts. It will prove helpful for restaurants, production facilities, garages, HVAC, and more.

In other words, Oil Eater Original will prove just as useful in household, industrial, and commercial settings. The solution has a faint but pleasant smell to it, making the product the best engine degreaser for close quarters with limited airflow.

Last updated price $12.72
Stock In stock
ASIN B000EALHHG

All Gasoline Engines

Sea Foam SS14 is a little less versatile than the previous products. This is an engine degreaser and cleaner first and foremost. It might be able to help you in other areas but the solution has been specifically designed to primarily work with 2- or 4-stroke gasoline engines (including but not limited to GDI engines, standard fuel injected engines, and carbureted engines).

It will be able to cure hesitation, pings, stalls, flat spots, and rough idle that comes from carbon buildup. The product makes it possible to easily clean intake valves, pistons, and combustion chamber deposits.

The can comes equipped with a red spray nozzle tube that features a curved adapter, making it easier to distribute the cleaner in limited spaces like the front part of the throttle plate location, fuel tanks, etc. Other than that, the curved adapter also works wonders reducing unnecessary consumption.

We're dealing with a flammable formula here that contents under pressure. That means, among other things, you have to make sure the cleaner doesn't interact with your skin, so don't forget to put on gloves beforehand.

All in all, we could recommend the Sea Foam SS14 engine degreaser and cleaner and lube to just about any and every car owner. Small-time and professional mechanics will likely find the product equally useful. It is cost-effective and practical enough for professional use.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $12.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B003L7T57S

The Strongest Formula

Chemical Guys know their cleaning solutions and the CLD_201_16 Signature Series Orange Degreaser is no exception. The product's citrus-based formula will be able to handle the toughest jobs. It will help you clean engines, tools and machinery, tires, wheels, and different floors. The solution does an excellent job loosening and breaking down the toughest grease, dirt, oil, and grime for easy rinse afterward.

The product makes it very well possible to remove the nastiest stains and dirt, grease, and grime buildups from your car, truck, motorcycle, boat, and even RV. You'll be able to remove that gunk, dirt, and grime from your favorite tires to bring back that original sleek black look. You can use the solution to clean and restore your wrenches, ratchets, and screwdrivers' shine.

The formula is almost excessively concentrated. Its full strength should be reserved for the toughest assignments. Otherwise, we would recommend diluting it up to 20:1 for those lighter duty cleaning jobs that do not necessarily require too much strength.

As far as we're concerned, the only problem with the solution is that the citrus-based formula has a smell to it that some people may not find all too appealing. Other than that, Chemical Guys CLD_201_16 Signature Series Orange Degreaser doesn't leave much room for complaints. The product works very well with all modern-day and legacy automotive engines.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $8.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00DZI39UW

Robust Foaming Action

Gunk FEB1 Foamy is a really effective solution considering the very much affordable price tag it comes with. It isn't the best product on the list but it is definitely better than anything that comes at the same price. The solution's powerful foam will be able to cling to vertical surfaces and effectively lift dirt, grime, grease, and oil.

The thick foam will not do any damage to electrical components. Just let it soak for 10-15 minutes and hose it all off afterward. The formula's foaming action will be able to quickly remove dirt, dust, and road grime.

Furthermore, the product adds a protective layer with a nice satin shine finish that shields the engine parts against dust buildup and makes future cleanups easier.

Gunk FEB1 Foamy works very well with plastic engine parts, underhood rubber, and paint. However, keep in mind that the product doesn't necessarily work that well with metal parts. The product has been specifically designed for engine with plastic covers. We can't say that it isn't versatile though.

Provided the metal parts are covered, the solution will be able to help you with cars, trucks, RVs, ATVs, bikes, power mowers, marines, farm equipment, tractors, and many other machinery pieces.

To put it a little differently, Gunk FEB1 Foamy is cost-effective and versatile enough to justify a spot on this list. As far as budget engine cleaning products are concerned, this is about as good as it gets.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B000ABGA6W

What Is an Engine Degreaser?

Quality cleaners have to be effective first and foremost. These engine cleaners fall under the same rule. Every single product on the list will be able to help you keep different engine parts nice and clean.

That being said, good cleaners aren't always this single-rounded. They don't have to be versatile. Sometimes, it is better to focus on specific applications and assignments. However, it is always nice when these products are also able to help you in other areas.

More often than not, these cleaners will allow you to remove grease, oil, and dirt from many different constructions and parts, including different machinery pieces, tools, wheels, tires, household items, various industrial and commercial objects, etc.

It is all about the formula behind the products. Make sure that it is safe enough to use in the areas where you're looking to use it. Keep in mind that the best formulas have to be non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-hazardous, and USDA-approved for non-food surfaces.

As versatile as these products are, they have their limits too. There's a good chance you'll be better off with one of these aluminum cleaners, drain cleaners, or glass cleaners if that's what you're looking to refresh.

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