Like most car owners, you probably take your vehicle in for good detailing every now and then. As you do, you might come across a motivated staff member trying to give you the ol' upsell, promoting their additional services that may include cleaning the engine bay (for an added fee, of course).
Now, I’m not here to discourage you from getting your engine bay cleaned because there are some real benefits to doing that. But what I am here to do is give you some food for thought.
Ask yourself, is this something you need to pay a professional to do, or can you learn how to clean the engine bay and do it yourself at home? The truth is that cleaning your engine bay isn’t as complicated as it may sound at first.
Here in this article, we’re going to look at how you can go about refreshing that engine bay of yours, including a few useful, do’s and don’ts so you can get the best out of the process.
Let’s get you busy!
How to DIY-Clean the Engine Bay
So, you want to learn how to clean your engine bay. Let’s take a look at the basic process of how you can go about doing just that.
Plan Ahead
Cleaning your engine bay isn’t the same as washing your car’s exterior. Think about it: the engine bay is where there’s plenty of grease, oil, and especially heat (that’s where your engine sits, remember?).
That’s why you’ll need to plan ahead for when you’d like to get the cleaning done. Partly, that’s so you can set aside enough time to do a thorough clean of the engine bay. Besides that, you also need to give your car some time to cool down.
Let the Engine Cool Down
Ideally, you might want to get it done first thing in the morning since that’s when the engine’s cool. However, some people might need to use their car to run their daily errands first, and that’s okay.
If that sounds like your situation, then all you have to do is let the car rest for as long as it takes so the engine and other parts in there cool down.
Remove Covers and Battery Terminal
To make your life easier, remove any plastic covers that might get in the way of your cleaning later. Also, be sure to remove the negative battery terminal to avoid damaging any electrical parts as you clean later.
Cover
Cover up the battery and any other electrical components that your car might have under the hood.
Degrease
This step in the process is when you start applying the cleaning solution to remove excess grease from inside the engine bay.
Scrub
Get right in there and scrub any stubborn stains out! Of course, be gentle with parts that you know to be a bit more sensitive than others.
Rinse
You’ve scrubbed out most of the major stains and loosened up the rest. Here, a good rinse will wash everything away.
Restore
When you’re done, replace any plastic covers you took off previously and reconnect the negative battery terminal.
Can You Clean The Engine Bay Without Water?
Yes, you can clean the engine bay without using any water at all! You can do so by using degreasing wipes that are specially designed for cleaning car engine bays. Some people prefer doing so without using any water for reasons that include:
- No access to water
- Worried about runoff damaging the environment
- To avoid wasting water
Quick Do’s & Don’ts of Cleaning the Engine Bay
Suppose you’ve decided to clean your car’s engine bay by yourself. If that’s the case, then here are some quick dos’ and don’ts to keep in mind.
About the Car Battery
Do Remove the Negative Terminal from the Battery, Don’t Reconnect It Until Everything’s Dry
The first step to cleaning your engine bay is always to let the engine cool down first. Then, the second step (which is probably just as important, if not more) is to disconnect the negative terminal from the battery.
Once you’re done cleaning, though, don’t be in a rush to reconnect that negative terminal. It’s crucial to let the engine bay dry out thoroughly before doing so. You don’t want any excess moisture to be in the wrong places when you plug that battery back up!
About Taking Things Apart
Do What You Can with the Engine Bay As-is, Don’t Unnecessarily Take Anything Apart
Some people might be tempted to take things out of the engine bay to give it a more thorough cleaning. Depending on your level of technical know-how, you could do that, no problem. Still, it’s important to remember that this is not a necessity.
You can clean your engine bay thoroughly without removing anything at all. Plus, doing so would make the process much more complicated and raise the risk of you making a mistake. Best to leave things as they are and clean around them, instead.
About Rinsing
Do Use a Regular Garden Hose, Don’t Use a High-Pressure Washer
When all is said and done, and you’re ready to give the engine bay a good rinse, stick to something simple like your garden hose. You don’t need something as intense as a high-pressure washer to rinse out your engine bay.
Remember: it’s just a rinse!
About Drying
Do Dry the Engine Bay Thoroughly, Don’t Leave It to Air-Dry
Drying the engine bay once you’re done is very important to remove any excess moisture. You could leave the hood up and let it air-dry, but that’ll take forever. Plus, it won’t be so effective in drying out the secluded nooks and crannies in your engine bay.
Instead, many people prefer using something that can force air through the engine bay, like a leaf blower or a fan. That way, you’ll give the engine bay some proper ventilation to dry out effectively after you’re done washing the area.
Find More Useful Guides & Tips
To discover more tips for maintaining your engine bay and the rest of your car, check out our blog at Carpart.com.au. There, you’ll find daily updates on all sorts of issues relevant to car owners from Australia and beyond!
It’s also the best place to find affordable car spare parts and accessories near you. Try requesting a part instead of searching it yourself! It’s the latest and easiest way of locating car parts nowadays!
By Ray Hasbollah