Engine Cleaning: Higher Selling Value, Better Looks and Easier Troubleshooting

Usually the car engine is hidden under the hood. Why should you bother cleaning it? Finally, in a purely mechanical or electrical sense, you risk doing more harm than good . However, there are several good reasons to periodically clean your engine. It is important to follow certain steps to achieve the desired result, without allowing it to end in a repair. Read this guide on how to safely bring your engine back to shine.

Benefits of a clean engine

A clean engine has several big benefits. It:

- the best look – easy troubleshooting - facilitating repairs.

A clean appearance increases the self-esteem of the car owner. More importantly, it increases the resale value of the car. . With a shiny, clean engine, the car usually looks more well-groomed. Obviously, a thorough polishing, as well as internal cleaning, should be part of the preparation for the sale.

It is often said that " a cleaned engine has something to hide ”, as all traces of the leak are washed away, but this is nonsense. But just the opposite: only on a clean engine is it easier to check for fuel or coolant leaks after a test run .

Ultimately, running on a clean engine is much more comfortable. You no longer look like a coal miner after replacing the generator. With the same success, it was possible to carry out repairs in a wedding suit.

Engine cleaning errors

Improper cleaning of the engine can damage the transmission, and in the worst case, completely destroy it. In addition, legal provisions must be taken into account. Otherwise, you risk getting a hefty fine and seriously ruining relations with neighbors and homeowners.
Viewing photos and videos of engine wash , you often notice a high pressure cleaner being applied to the engine. In essence, this is correct. On the other hand, indiscriminate "karchering" will certainly disable your engine. The high-pressure injection of water penetrates every plug connection and loosens anything that is loose. This can easily cause electrical and electronic components to malfunction, which can lead to permanent defects.

Trying to cool an overheated engine with cold water can have serious consequences: metal parts can be deformed and then stop connecting to each other . This causes friction between the individual parts of the car as well as inside. In the worst case, you risk causing a crack in the engine bay.
Cleaning the engine flushes oil and coolant from the transmission . Contaminated water must not enter the sewer. This entails a fine and will cause the wrath of neighbors and home owners.

Just in the washbasin?

In view of the mentioned environmental considerations, a good alternative would be car wash . However, you need to make sure that washing the engine is allowed at the car wash. The car wash operator must have a so-called oil separator installed. In its absence, only cleaning the body and interior of the car is allowed. Otherwise, operators may face a large fine. They tend to react angrily when someone cleans his engine at their station when it's not allowed. Further admission may be refused.

Three Ways to Clean Engine

Three options are available for safe and legal car engine cleaning:

– Manually at home – Rinse the oil separator box – Hire a service provider.

1. Cleaning the engine at home

It should be clear beforehand: homemade solutions are only possible limited cleaning of the engine. Homes should not be more than superficially cleaned. The law does not allow, and the risk of damage is high .

To clean the engine at home, you need a garage . When choosing do-it-yourself cleaning, contamination of the underground should be avoided at all costs. Therefore, before cleaning, place a large piece of cardboard or old carpet under the engine compartment.

For self-cleaning you will need:

- effective detergent
- rags, a paint brush and a regular brush
– appropriate work clothes
– brake cleaner
– well ventilated workshop

Powerful degreaser detergent is the most effective solution for self-cleaning the engine . Special detergents such as oven cleaner or stain remover may be useful. In most cases, special engine cleaner not required. Recommended products are: ProWIN и Cillit-Bang .

Before cleaning, the engine must be completely cool and place a large piece of cardboard or carpet under the engine compartment . It is very important that the cardboard or carpet is absorbent so that nothing seeps through. To avoid personal injury, the engine must be turned off during cleaning.

Now the engine is sprayed liberally with detergent . Let him soak. Then clean the engine from top to bottom with a brush and rag.

Stubborn stains should be treated with brake cleaner . Brake cleaner is a very effective dirt remover. Its main advantage is fast evaporation. The solution is highly flammable. Therefore, do not smoke during application and ensure that the workshop is adequately ventilated. Once the brake cleaner has completely evaporated, the engine is as clean as a do-it-yourself engine wash can be. All rags, as well as the rug (carpet or cardboard) should be thrown away.

2. Washing the engine in a washing box

Do-it-yourself engine cleaning is a dirty business. There are certain legal risks and the outcome is rarely completely satisfactory. A visit to a car wash is obvious. As already mentioned, it is important to find a service provider that allows you to clean the engine.
When cleaning the engine at a car wash the engine is also pre-sprayed engine cleaner, oven cleaner or very effective soap based degreaser . Brake cleaner is not needed in this case. Next, a high pressure cleaner is applied while the car engine is running. Be careful not to direct the jet

- on the cover of the distributor
- on the fuse block
– on plug connections
- on the control unit.

To avoid mistakes when using a high-pressure cleaner, you need to know the design of the engine . The engine continues to run to allow it to dry out.

If the engine stops or cannot be started, the distributor cap may be wet . It can usually be removed, wiped down with absorbent kitchen paper, and reinstalled.

Washing the engine at a car wash is a quick, albeit a little risky decision. . Also, you only reach the top of the engine. The ideal solution to make your engine really shine is to have it professionally cleaned.

3. This can only be done by a professional

The service provider may do the following for you:

– Professional and comprehensive engine wash
- We provide a guarantee
- Use of the most modern technologies.

The service provider has the necessary experience to properly and safely clean the engine. He knows exactly what to watch and is usually able to prevent any damage to the electrical system. In addition, the bottom of the engine can be cleaned in the garage, which is almost impossible when cleaning the engine at home or at a car wash. In the event of any damage, the garage is insured, leaving you no repair costs.

Today, the most advanced cleaning technologies are available only to auto repair shops that can afford it. Most service providers are still working with high pressure cleaners. Recently, a state-of-the-art technology has become available that is not only very safe, but also so effective that the engine looks like new: dry ice blasting.

For Perfectionists: Cleaning the Engine with Dry Ice Blasting

Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide that has been processed into small granules and sprayed onto the contaminated area under high pressure. . Upon contact with the surface, the granules instantly evaporate, cleaning off all free dirt particles. As a result, the engine is so clean that you might think that you have a new car. Dry ice cleaning has its price: if regular cleaning doesn't cost more €15-20 (£14-24) , then modern professional cleaning can easily cost twice as much. However, the result justifies the cost. In addition, waterless dry ice cleaning is very safe. Damage to the electrical system can be almost completely eliminated.