How to clean the car engine?

Cleaning the car engine is a necessary task to ensure its optimal operation. In this sense, experts recommend regular maintenance of the engine compartment, since this allows you to avoid damage caused by the accumulation of dirt, which also increases the useful life of your vehicle.

If work time is not an issue, cleaning the car yourself can help you save money. Especially when it comes to the engine, as this allows you to do a deeper and more careful job. On the other hand, doing the work with your own hands can be very useful to detect liquid leaks and other operating problems in time.

If you are wondering how to clean a car engine, you should first know that there are some dangers. Modern vehicle engines can generally withstand a certain amount of water penetration , which increases safety from accidents, as long as certain preventative measures are taken.

7 steps to car engine cleaning

1. Warm up the engine a little

Before you start, you should make sure that the engine is not too hot, as there is a danger of burns in this case. However, it is best not to be completely cold when cleaning the engine either, as the sludge-based oil can be removed more easily when the appliance is a little warm. Therefore, it is appropriate to start the vehicle and let it run for 1-2 minutes, just long enough to heat up the grease and grime.

2. Cover sensitive connectors

With the engine at the right temperature, it’s time to use some plastic bags to wrap the areas that should not be in contact with water or chemicals. In this case, the elements that you must protect most carefully are the air filters, the alternator, the engine control unit and the battery, although in the latter case you can remove it for greater safety. Similarly, these aspects can vary depending on the car model, which is important to consider when covering everything. You can then use tape to seal the edges of the bags and keep them in place. Also, elastic bands may be appropriate for this task.

3. Spray water and degreaser

In this step, the most practical thing is to wet the motor with water. Also, you can use a car vacuum or compressed air propeller to remove debris, tree leaves, and other debris that may be hiding underneath. Once the water has removed the dirt, you should spray car degreaser on all areas, emphasizing the dirtiest. Then, you have to let the degreaser act naturally for the time suggested on the product label. Usually the soaking time is about 5 minutes. In this way, you can prevent the degreaser from being corrosive to the surfaces.

Now, it’s time to scrub the dirtiest areas using two brushes, one with soft bristles and one with hard bristles. The one with soft bristles can be very useful to avoid scratching or damaging very delicate areas, while the one with hard bristles is suitable for removing the most embedded dirt. On the other hand, if you notice that the degreaser is drying too quickly, you should spray the engine with water and apply a new dose of product in the areas that you have not yet rubbed. This helps prevent the degreaser from hardening and allows you to remove any residue left over from the first pass.

4. Rinse

Now that you’ve loosened and removed the dirt, you need to spray the entire engine compartment again with a garden hose or pressure washer. In the latter case, you should set a low pressure setting to prevent damage from excess force on the water outlet.

5. Dry

For this step, you will need microfiber cloths to help you dry everything quickly, reducing the risk of water and grease stains in the crevices of the motor. Similarly, you can use an air compressor or blower that allows you to remove standing water in hard-to-reach areas, as well as remove stubborn dirt on surfaces. When you make sure that everything has dried properly, you should remove the plastic bags and dry any residual water that has gotten between the bags.

6. Drive element protection

Now it’s time to protect it all with a plastic restorer, designed to apply a protective coating to the engine compartment. This is an optional step, but we have considered it because it is a product that generally gives a more attractive appearance to the different surfaces of the machine, making the plastic parts and rubbers look shinier. Likewise, this makes it easier to wash the engine in the future.

7. Wash the car

Cleaning car engine parts often produces residue from degreaser and other products that can damage the vehicle’s paint. If you are wondering how to clean the car thoroughly, you should know that the most appropriate thing is to apply detergents specially designed for this task and a soft sponge, since otherwise it can be counterproductive. In addition, it is very important to rinse with plenty of water.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that it is advisable to consult with your personal mechanic or any other professional in the automotive area , especially if you have any doubts about what is the safest way to clean the engine depending on the model of your car.