When you clean your car, you typically focus on making the exterior shiny and dirt-free, and the interior fresh and clear of junk. However, have you ever considered cleaning your car’s parts, or more specifically, its engine? Your engine is a vital part that should not be overlooked when you give your vehicle a deep cleaning. Over time, it builds up with oil and grease that can damage rubber hoses and plastic parts.
If you’re unsure how to go about cleaning your engine, the team at Driver’s Way in Birmingham is here to help with five simple steps!
Remove any debris that is trapped in your grill, hood, or vent openings with a small hand brush. Then, prepare the engine for getting wet by covering sensors, exposed wiring, the distributor, and spark plug openings. This can be done using plastic bags, tape, and rubber bands. You don’t need to make the engine waterproof, you just want to prevent the water from getting these items soaked.
Start your car and let it run 5-10 minutes to loosen the accumulated grease and oil on the engine. Additionally, a warm engine works well with degreaser products.
Using a degreaser to clean off buildup can help you save on repairs at the service center in the long run. Make sure you use a water or citrus-based cleaner since petroleum-based products can be harsh on rubber hoses and seals.
Apply the degreaser from the bottom up to avoid it from dripping down on you. Also, keep in mind that if you overspray the degreaser it will remove the wax from your fenders. Cover them or spray very carefully so you don’t have to re-wax them. After you apply the degreaser, hose off your fenders if they were not protected, along with the hood and grille.
Let the degreaser soak for about three minutes. If your engine is very dirty, leave it on for five minutes. For heavy buildup, use a parts brush to reach and scrub the parts of the engine.
Once the degreaser has soaked long enough, it’s time to hose it off. Do not use a high-pressure nozzle, as this can damage electrical connections. It’s best to use a regular garden hose with an adjustable nozzle set at “stream.”
The heat from your engine helps it dry quickly. Do not let your engine air dry, as it spots. Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe the engine dry instead.
If you don’t want to tackle the challenge of cleaning your car engine yourself, don’t fret! Bring your vehicle to our reconditioning department to let our professionals get the job done for you. For more maintenance tips and tricks, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at our used car dealership in Birmingham!