A clean engine is a happy engine. Just like any other part of your car, your engine needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep it running smoothly. Though professional engine cleaning is an option, it’s not always necessary. You can save money by learning how to wash a car engine yourself. You should be glad you found us! Here you will find out how to clean your car’s engine the right way.

Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a clean engine in no time.

Park your car in a well-ventilated area and let the engine cool. You don’t want to be working with a hot engine, as you could risk getting burned.

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

Before you start cleaning, you will need to gather some simple materials. You will need a water hose, a pressure washer is better but not required, a bucket, soap or degreaser, a scrub brush, and rags. If the engine was recently used, make sure it has cooled down before starting to wash it.

Step 2: Wet the Engine

Attach the hose to the faucet and wet the entire engine with cool water. If you are using a pressure washer, be careful not to get too close to sensitive areas such as electrical wiring.

Step 3: Apply Soap or Degreaser

Apply a generous amount of soap or degreaser to the wet engine and let it sit for a few minutes so that it can break down the dirt and grime. You can either use a commercial degreaser or make your own by mixing dish soap and water.

Step 4: Scrub the Engine

Let the degreaser sit for at least five minutes to break down the grime and build-up on the engine. Use the scrub brush to scrub the entire engine. Pay special attention to areas that are particularly dirty.

Step 5: Rinse the Engine

Rinse the soap or degreaser off of the engine with cool water. Make sure that all of the soap is removed before moving on to the next step.

Step 6: Dry the Engine

Use a microfiber cloth or old rag to dry the engine, and wipe down the engine until it is completely dry. Once the engine is dry, you can apply a protectant if desired.

And that’s it! You’ve now successfully cleaned your car’s engine. Repeat this process every few months to keep your engine in tip-top shape.

Wet the Engine
Apply Soap or Degreaser

This guide would not be complete without answering some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to cleaning a car’s engine.

How often should I clean my car’s engine?

It is generally recommended that you clean your car’s engine every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first. However, this may vary depending on your driving habits and the type of vehicle you drive.

Can I pressure wash my car’s engine?

You can pressure wash your car’s engine; however, you need to be careful not to get too close to sensitive areas such as electrical wiring. It is also important to make sure that all of the soap is removed after pressure washing.

What type of soap can I use to wash my car’s engine?

You can use a commercial degreaser or make your own by mixing dish soap and water.

Is professional engine cleaning worth it?

Depending on your situation, if you are a car enthusiast and love to work on your car or if your car’s engine is not too dirty, then you can save money by learning how to wash a car engine yourself.

if your car’s engine is very dirty and you are the type of person that prefers to pay to get the job done right, then professional engine cleaning might be worth it.

How to wash a car engine at the carwash?

If you decide to take your car to the carwash to have the engine cleaned, make sure to tell the attendant that you want the engine cleaned and not just the exterior of the car.

Most carwashes have a separate area for cleaning engines and they will use a different set of cleaners and tools than they use for washing the exterior of the car.

After the engine is cleaned, the carwash attendant will likely blow out any leftover water from the engine bay with compressed air. Make sure to ask the carwash attendant how much it will cost to have the engine cleaned before they start the process.

Final thoughts

Cleaning your car’s engine may seem daunting, but it is actually quite simple! By following these six easy steps, you can save yourself time and money by cleaning your car’s engine yourself.

If you are in the market for a new set of wheels, need to upgrade your suspension, or want to upgrade your car’s look, look no further than Miami Power Wheels. Top-rated car customization shop in Miami.