HOW TO CLEAN A GREASY CAR ENGINE?
Cleaning your car engine is pertinent for two reasons. The first reason is that a clean engine compartment looks attractive. And the second reason is that it allows you to identify any possible leaks or issues that otherwise get camouflaged by the grime & grease. If you are cleaning your car engine for the first time; no need to worry. We will walk you through the entire process step-by-step and even share all the possible dos & don’ts of how to clean your car engine in no time.
Things you will need
Water
Cleaning cloths
Eye protection
Plastic protection (for parts of the car engine)
Wire brush
Bristled brush
Step 1
Prepping the car
Before you begin with the actual cleaning process, you need to prep your car. First & foremost, remove the plastic cover under the hood. You can scrub it separately. Now remove any debris that you might find in the engine compartment. We recommend disconnecting both the terminals of the battery; to prevent any damage to the electrical components. You can also remove the battery to be safe.
Step 2
Protecting what needs protection!
There are other electrical components present in the engine compartment other than the battery. And it is not possible to remove all of these parts during cleaning. But you can protect these exposed wirings & other electrical components by wrapping them up in plastic. Make sure that the spark plug inlets and the distributor cap are covered too. Follow the same for loose wires as well, for it will make the components relatively waterproof.
Step 3
Run the engine
This step may sound confusing but do not worry! Running the engine is a part of the process. You may ask how? Well, it is easier to get rid of grease when it is heated. And there is no better way to heat the accumulated grease; than by heating the engine, right? In all seriousness, keeping the engine running for about five minutes or so will help in the easier removal of any grease and grime that might be present! After you stop the engine, allow it to cool down to an extent; that you can touch the exhaust manifold safely.
Step 4
Use a Degreaser for Getting Rid of the Grease and Grime
Now comes the most crucial step, which is cleaning the grease & grime from your engine. To do this, you will need the aid of a degreaser spray. There are many degreaser sprays available in the market, but we recommend WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Degreaser. It is a fast, solvent-based degreaser; that effectively removes grease and grime from your engine without leaving a residue. When applying the degreaser spray, make sure that you avoid getting it onto the painted components, for it could clear the paint from the surface of your car. Also, always follow your manufacturer’s guidelines before using any products on the engine.
As a rule of thumb, let the product sit on the surface of your engine for about 3-5 minutes. The dirtier the engine, the more time it will need to be soaked into WD-40 magic. Although WD-40 Fast Acting Degrease is a strong chemical, it will not require a lot of scrubbing from your side. But you can use a bristled brush to get the grime off. We recommend wearing eye protection before going through the job.
Now rinse the engine with a hose. Make sure that you avoid pressure cleaners and use a simple garden hose to rinse everything.
Looking after your engine will help it last longer and function smoothly as well.
Step 5
wash the car
While you are at it, why not wash the entire car as well? Another reason to clean the car exterior is to tackle any stray degreaser spray droplets; that might have made their way onto your car paint. Degreaser spray can damage your car paint and, therefore, you need to remove it as soon as possible. Washing the exterior will help you tackle this problem as well as clean any grime or dust accumulation.
Step 6
Finishing the job off
As the last step, we recommend that you clean the individual parts as well. For example, you should scrub the terminals of your car battery with a wire brush and then use a bristled brush to clean the plastic surfaces. It will ensure that all the parts of your engine spick & span.
Conclusion
Maintaining the engine will increase its performance and increase the resale value of your car. Therefore, please do not ignore it. We know cleaning the car engine is not for everyone, so if you do not feel comfortable doing it, ask a professional!
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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