Conditions Before Cleaning
Choose a warm and sunny day to clean your engine bay. Warmer weather, especially a low humidity day with some breeze is ideal, as it will help dry the engine and other components much faster after washing. You can wash around your car first before clean the engine bay.
If you just drove your vehicle, open the hood and allow the engine to cool down for at least 15-20 minutes before cleaning. Hot engine parts can potentially burn your hands and the sudden cooling from spraying water can also damage certain components. Safety should be the top priority here.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps bellow to get the cleanest car engine:
Unhook The Battery Terminal
For safety reasons, the first step is to disconnect the positive battery terminal. This helps prevent any damage to the electrical components in case they get exposed to moisture during the cleaning process. Although removing the battery entirely is the most cautious approach, it is not always necessary if you are careful.
The best way to fully clean under the battery and around the battery terminals is to completely remove the battery from the engine bay.
Protect Electrical Components
Before spraying water under the hood to clean the engine, cover any sensitive electrical components with plastic bags to protect them from moisture. This includes:
The battery – Spraying water directly onto the battery terminals can cause corrosion and damage. Completely wrap the battery in a plastic bag or cover it with a tarp.
The ignition wires – Water can seep into the electrical connections and cause short circuits or malfunctions. Cover the ignition wires and distributor cap with a plastic bag secured with tape or zip ties.
The engine control unit (ECU) – The computer that controls the engine should stay dry. Wrap the entire ECU in a plastic bag or cover it with a water-resistant material.
Apply Specialized Detergents
The next step is applying a degreaser to all rubber and plastic components in the engine bay. This will loosen grease, oil, and grime buildup.
Spray degreaser on a small section, like under the hood. Agitate with a brush to work it into crevices. Rinse thoroughly with a steam cleaner to dissolve loosened debris. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Rinsing
To rinse off the degreaser, you have two options:
Pressure Washer – Use the lowest pressure setting to avoid damaging any sensitive components. Hold the nozzle at least a foot away and sweep it across the surfaces to rinse away the degreaser and loosened dirt.
Steamer – The steam will help break down grease and grime while rinsing away the degreaser. Move the steam nozzle around the engine bay to thoroughly rinse all surfaces.
Let’s Dry and Reattach the Car Battery Terminal
The easiest way to remove excess water from the nooks and crannies of your engine bay is to use compressed air. The blast of air will dislodge water trapped in small spaces and crevices, while also blowing out any remaining debris.
However, if you don't have access to compressed air, don't worry – you can still achieve good results with some old-fashioned elbow grease. Simply wipe down all accessible surfaces with a lint-free shop towel or rag.
How Often Should I Clean my Car’s Engine?
As a general rule, it's a good idea to clean your car's engine every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever happens first. But, keep in mind that this recommendation may differ depending on the way you drive and the kind of vehicle you have.
