How To Clean Your Car Engine Bay (Ultimate Guide 2023)
The engine bay is probably one of the most overlooked parts of a car when it comes to detailing! You only see it every few miles… that is, if you’re changing your car’s oil yourself. Even though the engine bay can be overlooked, there are many key benefits to performing a full detail on it a few times a year. Today, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to detail your engine bay like a pro and explain why it’s so important to keep clean!
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Table of Contents
Here’s Why You Should Clean Your Engine Bay
Maintaining your engine is very important, since you want to make sure you’re changing the oil as recommended by the manufacturer, but that you also detail it a few times a year to protect the paint, rubber, and plastic pieces from fading or even worse, cracking over time. All the rubber and plastic pieces take a real beating over the years because of the extreme heat in the engine bay and general wear and tear. By performing an engine bay detail, you can prevent costly repairs down the line, as well as give yourself a chance to inspect your engine’s condition between maintenance cycles. But let’s be real. If you’re reading this article, it means you have a real pride of ownership. You know you can get by with a dirty engine bay. You’ll still get from point A to point B just fine. Your re-sell value won’t even be all that much affected unless you have a classic. But you care. You want a clean, beautiful engine when you open up that hood.
Common Mistakes To Avoid:
Mistake #1 : Detailing a Hot Engine Bay
Make sure to avoid detailing a hot engine bay. The heat will cause your chemicals and water to dry on the surface, making you use a lot more product and also causing damage to sensitive pieces in the engine bay itself. Also, keep in mind that super cold water coming into contact with hot metal pieces can cause the metal to warp, so avoid a hot engine bay!
Mistake #2 : Not Using Safety Equipment
Because engine bays have a lot more dirt, grease, grime, and very tight areas, you will need to use stronger chemicals like degreasers while getting your hands into some pretty dirty and tight areas. Therefore, it’s very important to glove up and wear safety goggles prior to getting started.
Mistake #3 : Using Not-Up-to-Par Aftermarket Parts
Most factory parts in modern vehicles are waterproof or water-resistant, but the water resistance from aftermarket parts differs from manufacturer to manufacture. So, if a vehicle has any aftermarket parts, make sure to take extra precaution with those areas!
3 dos and don’ts for cleaning your engine compartment
The fit and finish of a car’s exterior often gets all the attention, and most gearheads will debate cleaning materials like polishes and paint protectants for hours on end. If you want to find who is really detail-oriented at a car show, don’t look at the hood—look under the hood. A spotless engine bay is tough to achieve and even harder to maintain. It’s worth it, though, because a clean engine compartment is not only attractive but also conducive to spotting any leaks or issues when they start, rather than leaving them to be camouflaged by grime.
If your engine is a dingy, oily mess and you want to bring it back to a respectable condition, here are a few tips.
Don’t: Be quick to take things apart
Do: Take a “before” picture
The last thing anyone wants is to get here and forget how it goes back together. Kyle Smith
If the engine is running smoothly, I’m hesitant to take anything apart to clean it, and I’d recommend you think the same way. The old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has treated me well for many years. However, to get a deep clean you must dive deep. Before you start, grab your camera and snap a picture.
Even if you have a great memory and a wealth of reference materials, a photo can still prove invaluable. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple glance at a “before” picture to know where that hose with the weird bend was attached. It also serves as great evidence of the improvement you make.
Don’t: Go crazy with the “engine cleaner”
Do: Use chemicals appropriate for the job
Here are three chemicals of varying intensity. I start with the mildest and progress to the most aggressive, making sure that even the strongest will not damage the finish on the parts I am cleaning. Kyle Smith
It’s on a shelf at every auto parts store—you’ll be tempted to grab that aerosol can of foaming degreaser and pretend you are the greatest graffiti artist known to man as you fog the entire engine compartment. Don’t do it.
Aerosol engine cleaner works great for engines that are very heavily soiled, but most of the time that stuff is overkill. It’s also deceptively involved; if you don’t rinse off all the residue, it will cause corrosion. Instead, spend a little extra time by using a few clean rags, spraying your detailer of choice on the rag, and simply wiping away the dirt. I typically start with a quick detailer and, if the grime is stubborn, I progress to more aggressive chemicals like brake or carburetor cleaner.
This more time-consuming process has two benefits: It prevents chemicals from forcing their way into nooks and crannies they shouldn’t be in, and helps you become familiar with those same nooks and crannies. Seeing a lot of oily buildup in one spot? Investigate to see whether there’s a leak that needs to be cured.
Don’t: Grab the pressure washer
Do: Use the garden hose
Hosing down my Corvair’s engine doesn’t make sense because it won’t drain water like most engine compartments. Rinsing this Model A, on the other hand, might be the easiest way to remove lots of sludge. Kyle Smith
If you need to wash off the grit and grime, resist the urge to reach for the pressure washer. Both a home pressure washer and the wand at a local DIY car wash will eject water at a dangerously high pressure and threaten just about any part of your engine compartment. The jet can easily push past gaskets, into electrical panels and connections, and also into grease fittings.
If you discover the engine compartment is so filthy that a rinse-down is needed, take the time to seal all electrical connections and crankcase openings (the oil fill, for example) before using a garden hose. If the garden hose doesn’t provide enough pressure, gently scrub with a soft bristle brush to break the gunk free.
What is your process for cleaning your engine compartment? Sound off in the Hagerty Community below.
Clean Car Engine Tips
Cleaning your engine is easier then you think!
When it comes a clean car engine , many people are scared by the thought of cleaning a car engine themselves. Due to the many electric connectors and other moving parts that make up a car engine, the thought of detailing the motor makes most of us run in the opposite direction.
The good news is that despite all the bad information repeated by misinformed people, car engine cleaning is one of the easiest jobs in the area of auto detailing in general! A few simple steps will go far when it comes to engine bay detailing and cleaning. Follow along as we dissect this area of auto detailing so you can become part of the select group of people known as the informed, and enjoy the benefits first hand that a clean engine means!
A Clean Engine is a Happy Engine!
Just look at the difference between the before and after car engine pictures just below and tell me which you would rather see when lifting the hood to your car!
Dirty Engine before Cleaning
Clean Engine after Cleaning
Engine Cleaning and Detailing Quick Review:
- The analysis of a car engine.
- Why would you want to clean a car engine?
- Is it as difficult as it seems?
- What is the best car engine cleaner to use?
- What are the safe methods for a clean car engine?
Analysis of a car engine: Car engine’s today are not the car engines of yesterday. If you look at your car engine you will start to notice a few critical factors that actually make car engine cleaning and detailing safer and easier than ever:
- Much of the engine is covered in plastic shrouding.
- Electric connectors are fully protected with sturdy plastic housings and assembled using moisture protecting grease.
- Electronic ignitions mean the elimination of traditional distributors and carburetors.
- Alternators remain as the only sensitive area with the appearance of exposed wires, etc.
2007 Shelby Cobra GT500 engine detail
Beside the obvious, there are numerous reasons a person would want a clean and detailed auto engine:
Ferrari F430 Spider engine detail
- Spray engine cleaner or degresaser over entire engine and engine bay.
- Spray to remove engine cleaner and dirt from engine bay and engine with water; either from pressure washer, self-serve car wash bay pressure washer, or water nozzle attached to your own garden hose.
- Blow engine and engine bay area with leaf blower, or compressed air to remove excess water from engine before starting engine.
- Start engine and run for 5 minutes to completely dry all moving parts.
- Follow-up with engine dressing if desired.
What engine cleaner or degreaser works best: This is an area that doesn’t need to be over thought. Let me lay out the simple points you need to understand and consider when trying to decide upon the best engine cleaner before I get into my actual engine cleaner and steps I use professionally to clean and detail my own customers car’s:
- Most cleaners with some form of degreaser will work.
- The more dirt, grease, oil, and grime, the more you will want what would be called a heavy-duty degreaser.
- If a cleaner will cut oil or grease, then you have to remember it will remove any wax you may have on your car’s paint. Care must be taken to keep engine degreaser off car paint. (more on this below)
What is the Safest Method for Cleaning a Car Engine?
Glad you finally asked, as I will show you what I do and use professionally to get perfectly cleaned and detailed car engines. Let me add a few points before we get further:
- Engines are made up of hundreds of parts; it would be virtually impossible (unless your car engine was already meticulously detailed) to think you could clean every individual part by hand for fear of getting your engine wet.
- I realize that no matter what I say, there will always remain skeptics who will be forever fearful of getting their car engine wet. I still have customers who forever cling to the fear of getting their engine wet.
- My clean car engine tips are based on twenty-plus years of professional detail experience.
Car Engine Cleaning and Detailing Steps
Mercedes CL63 AMG engine detail
And to this I say that I am going to show you exactly what I do, what I use, and tips to help you achieve professional results
Car Engine Degreaser
- Concentrate (this means you can custom blend to suit your needs)
- Economical
- Safe for you, safe for your car engine, safe for the environment
- No more toxic fumes you are required to inhale as you are detailing car engine
- Non-flammable
- Rinses very cleanly
- A more efficient way to dispense larger amounts of chemicals
- Perfect for use with your choice in an engine degreaser where large amounts of cleaner will be required
- The sprayer I use to apply my choice in chemical when I am cleaning my car wheels, wheel wells, and car engine where large amounts of cleaner are needed
- Extension wand is ideal for hard to reach areas or tight areas when it’s time to clean car engine
- Ideal for cleaning engines
- Also effective for use on wheels, tires, etc.
- What I use professionally.
- Feathered tip bristles for extra effectiveness and safety.
Darren’s Note: No degreaser in the world will be a true, “Spray down, wash off and every bit of dirt and grease is magically gone”. You will always be required to do some level of manual agitation and this brushes are ideal.
- I use a leaf blower to blow off excess water after I am finished degreasing/washing engine off
- This is a corded blower which will be less costly than a battery powered
- Most people don’t have access to compressed air at their homes; a leaf blower is the perfect solution to this
- I blow off engine to remove any standing water after the final rinse and before I turn the engine on to allow engine to reach normal operating temperature
- If you want some serious air power, you can check out a good leaf blower
Clean Car Engine:
Driveway Detailer
I accept that there are those of you out there that want to keep things ultra simple. For this reason I am including the following option for you if you are looking for a single-use type of ready-to-use car engine degreaser.
- Professional based citrus formula.
- Concentrate; can be custom diluted based on your needs.
- Perfect to clean car engine.
- Versatile product for many other types of cleaning duties.
- Perfect for any car owner or driveway detailer.
Engine Dressing
This will be your final stage for a clean car engine that is detailed to perfection; it is also an area with many conflicting opinions.
Depending on your situation, you may want to apply a dressing to your engine. I will lay out the pros and cons of this decision so you can be fully aware of the many variables.
Not only can an engine dressing create a shiny and new appearance to your freshly cleaned engine, but can actually serve as a sacrificial layer that is easily washed away and reapplied each time.
BMW 328i car engine detail
- As easy as easy can get when you ant to add the next level of perfection after you clean car engine
- really makes your car engine “pop” with shine
- Aerosol is perfect for all the intricate parts of your car engine
- The warning on the label will say “flammable”. This is mostly due to the propellant in this aerosol can. You will NOT be using it on a hot engine or into exposed flame. I have never had a problem using this on any car engine.
- Aerosol dressing is as easy as easy gets.
- Apply to the cool engine after you are completely finished and the engine is cool
- Manufactures label will say that product is flammable. I have never had a problem in 20+ years of doing engines. Just like gasoline, it is the fumes that are flammable and must be used on extremely hot engines or come in contact with direct flame for combustion. For this reason, simply use on a cool to warm engine and you will be fine. The end results are both dramatic and surprising to any first timer!
A Clean Car Engine is a Happy Car Engine!
Whether this is the power of suggestion or not; I am a big fan of a clean and detailed car engine!
If you would like additional motivation for a clean car engine, you can go to car engine pictures where I highlight many additional clean and detailed car engines. If you know anyone who might benefit from this info like yourself, please forward the link to them; or simply share on your favorite social media site.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/3-dos-and-dont-for-cleaning-your-engine-compartment/
https://www.best-auto-detailing-tips.com/clean-car-engine.html
