Regularly
cleaning our engine is an effective method to prevent breakdowns in this
element.
As we
showed in our previous article, the dirt in the engine is inevitable, so it is
normal that certain accumulations of dust or oil appear on the surface of this
compartment of the car. Therefore, knowing how to carry out an adequate
cleaning of this element of the car will help to increase its useful life,
protecting the different components that are part of the engine block and
realizing possible leaks.
There are
different methods to clean the engine of our car, and we will depend on what we
decide to carry out, for this it will be necessary to be informed of the different
options available to us.
How often should the engine be cleaned?
First of
all we must bear in mind that the excess can be as dangerous as the defect. A
cleaning too intensive or frequent can end up damaging the electronic systems
that are in this compartment. It is advisable to clean the engine every two
years as long as we limit the use of the vehicle to the city and annually if we
drive on unpaved roads on a regular basis.
How much does it cost to clean a car's engine?
Being a
punctual task, we recommend putting this work in the hands of professionals who
have specific products or steam engines that protect all the elements that make
up the engine.
If in spite
of everything, you are encouraged to carry out this task on your own, here we
leave you a guide where we explain what to do and what not to do when we intend
to clean the car engine.
How to carry out the cleaning of the engine
compartment?
The method
to follow will depend on the depth with which we want to perform the cleaning.
If it is a superficial cleaning, it will be enough to pass a cloth or a soft
brush to drag the dust. We can also impregnate any of these two tools in some
liquid that helps us to remove the dirt more stuck. In the market there is a
wide range of chemical products (basically motor degreasers) that are already
prepared for this purpose.
Before
starting, the vehicle must be in a laundry room with wastewater treatment
system or similar to avoid causing damage when liquids spilled on the engine
fall to the ground along with traces of oil and other sediments.
The
temperature at which the engine is located will be key to the success of the cleaning,
since with the engine completely cold it will be difficult to eliminate and in
hot chemical products can emanate dangerous vapors of inhaling.
Therefore,
the first step is to heat the engine a little, without reaching the operating
temperature but leaving it on for at least a minute to soften the accumulated
dirt.
We must
remove the electrical terminals that go to the battery and cover them with a
plastic wrap to prevent them from getting wet. We will also protect the air
intake and the carburetor with thick aluminum foil or bags so as not to expose
them to water faults.
The next
step is to shake with a brush or brush all the dirt, rubbing thoroughly when
necessary.
Then,
depending on the chosen product, it should be sprayed and left to act or follow
the procedure indicated on the label. Another more homemade option is to dilute
two cups of detergent, washing greaseproof dishes in four liters of water,
preferably warm, and brush hard. Remembering also to carry out the steps in the
lower part of the engine.
The last
step is to rinse with a hose or pressurized water gun paying special attention
to the electrical elements that should not get wet under any circumstances:
connections of electronic boxes, control units, diesel pumps, ignition caps, and
spark plug holes … etc.
Once the
systems that use protection have been removed, to speed up the drying process,
we must put the engine at idle until we hear the fan so that the humidity
dissipates quickly.
Under no
circumstances is it recommended to use polishes on all surfaces, as oily bases
can damage rubber rubbers and plastics in the system. In case you want to
polish certain metal parts, it is advisable to use specific products for the
engine.
