Great and great for your car engine

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 job. Now if the exterior of your car looks great, the interior should be too. As new as it may seem, 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 sounds …

The first is the first

You can’t just jump in and hose down the engine. That could be quite dangerous, actually (think exposed wires). First, you will need to clean as much of the debris as possible. Things like leaves and twigs can get stuck in the grill, the hood (especially around the seams), and the vents. An air compressor is great to use as it will simply remove debris, but it is not something in most people’s garages. No air compressor? No problem! 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 so on in plastic will guarantee that.

Next until …

This is a simple … start your engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. The accumulated grease and oil adhering to the engine will loosen and degreasers work much better on a warm engine. Speaking of which …

Getting rid of accumulated dirt on your engine requires a degreaser. While petroleum-based degreasers are efficient, they can also degrade rubber hoses and seals. You should get something with a softer touch, some water or even citrus based. It is best to apply a degreaser from the bottom up. Otherwise, it may drip on you as you work. Be careful, as degreaser can remove wax from your fenders. Gently spray then wash the fenders, grill and hood with a hose.

How bad is it?

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

Last but not least …

Wash that puppy! You don’t need to use a high pressure hose as it can loosen things. A normal garden hose will do, with light to moderate water pressure. After hosing down the motor, you can let it dry just for a little while, but be sure to wipe off any remaining moisture with a microfiber towel. A warm or hot engine will dry relatively quickly, but will detect stains (sort of like what happens outside when the sprinklers are turned on and allowed to air dry). Don’t forget your before and after photos …

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