Most people operate with the general understanding that they need to wash their car regularly to keep the exterior looking good. Not only that, but regular car washes help maintain your car’s paint. Now, if the exterior of your car looks great, so should the interior. As much as it looks new, a dirty engine can make your car run like an antique. Never fear! In fact, you can clean your own car’s engine, as long as you don’t mind getting a little dirty. It’s really not as difficult as it seems…

The first is the first

You can’t jump in and clean your engine with a hose. That could be quite dangerous, in fact (think exposed wires). First, you will need to clear as much of the debris as possible. Things like leaves and twigs can get stuck in the grill, hood (especially around the seams), and vents. An air compressor is great to use as it will simply remove debris, but it’s not something in most people’s garages. No air compressor? Without worries! A small brush will do.

Remember what we said about hosing down your engine is dangerous? Well here’s why… sensors, exposed wiring, distributor, spark plug gaps. These cannot be exposed to water without some kind of protection. Your engine is already more or less waterproof (think rain), but wrapping the sensors and such in plastic will secure it.

NextUp…

This one is simple…start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. Accumulated grease and oil stuck in the engine will loosen up and degreasers work much better with a warm engine. Speaking of…

Getting rid of built-up grime in your engine requires a degreasing product. While petroleum-based degreasers are efficient, they can also degrade hoses and rubber seals. You should get something with a lighter touch, some water or even citrus based. It is better to apply a degreaser from the bottom up. Otherwise, it may drip on you while you work. Be careful as degreaser can remove wax from your fenders. Carefully spray then hose down the fenders, grill and hood.

How bad is it?

Now if your engine is basically clean, just let the degreaser sit for 3-5 minutes. If there is a lot of buildup on your engine, you may need to use a parts brush to break up the gunk. A little car wash solution can help. Actually, if I’m being totally honest here, Dawn (as in dish soap) works pretty well. It’s a degreaser in itself, so it can help loosen up those really dirty areas. Just don’t use too much. Your car’s engine will turn into a bubble bath when you hose it down.

Last but not least…

Wash that puppy! There is no need to use a high pressure hose as it can loosen things up. A regular garden hose will do, with light to moderate water pressure. After hosing down the engine, you can let it dry on its own for a while, but be sure to wipe off any remaining moisture with a microfiber towel. A warm or hot engine will dry relatively quickly, but it will get stained (sort of like what happens to the outside when you turn on the sprinklers and let it air dry). Don’t forget your before and after photos…

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