How To Clean Your Engine Bay

The engine bay is one of the most important areas of your car, as it is where all the moving parts are housed. It’s also one of the dirtiest parts of your car, thanks to all that engine oil and exhaust residue that collects there. Ignoring a dirty engine bay can lead to corrosion, poor performance, and potential damage from accidents or weather conditions. The following is a guide on how to clean your engine bay:

1. Prepare

Before getting started, ensure you have all the necessary tools and equipment. You will need a high-quality engine degreaser and a reputable automotive cleaner to remove the grease, oil, and other contaminants from your engine bay. For the interior, you’ll need a vacuum cleaner and some rags. The next step is to prepare your vehicle. You’ll need to have the engine off before adequately cleaning it. Make sure to clean the battery, fan blades, and heat shields from the exhaust manifold.

2. Degrease the Engine Bay

For this step, you’ll need to add an engine degreaser to the vacuum. You’ll want to use a high-quality product that is safe for rubber and metal and a pump sprayer. The engine bay comprises rubber seals and hoses that collect debris, so make sure you remove them for cleaning. Using an engine degreaser will allow you to eliminate grease, oil, and grime while also removing the tough stains and spots. Spray down the engine bay, paying particular attention to areas that are difficult to reach, like between the fenders. Let it soak for a few minutes before wiping it down with a rag.

3. Use a water steamer to remove the grime

For this step, you’ll want to use a water steamer. A water steamer attaches to a hose and is filled with boiling water from all directions. This will allow you to attack the grimiest areas of your engine bay with boiling water that melts the grease, allowing it to be removed. Leave it on for up to 1 minute before wiping it off with your towel and using a vacuum cleaner or brush as needed. Boiling water is one of the best ways to remove grease and accumulated grime. You can also use a heat or hot air gun to help loosen stubborn grime.

4. Reattach all the parts/inspect

After you’ve cleaned your engine bay, it’s essential to inspect it to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Ensure all the parts are back on, have no leaks or damage, and that your hoses and other seals remain intact. You’ll also want to check your belts that show discoloration or wear along with the tensioner pulley and serpentine belt. Please make sure they are in good shape as well. Battery terminals and exhaust components should also be checked.

Conclusion

Cleaning your engine bay and all the associated parts is essential in maintaining your car and running smoothly. It’s also important to keep in mind that you may have to do this process more than once, as grime can build up even after a thorough cleaning. In addition, it may be worth investing in a steam cleaning unit to clean heavily clogged parts or some emblems. Also, ensure you wipe down the fenders with a microfiber towel after cleaning off the rest of the engine bay.

Leave a comment
Stay up to date
Register now to get updates on promotions and coupons

Shopping cart

×