How to Clean Your Car's Engine Bay | Step by Step Guide

Hello and a good day to our readers. Today, we bring you another article regarding improving a vehicle’s physical appearance. You have already guessed about what we will discuss from the title. But if you think that you have already mastered the art of cleaning the engine bay, think again. We are going to discuss a lot more than you know. So, pay close attention because you will undoubtedly learn something new.

What is the Engine Bay?

Naturally, the first question that would come to anyone's mind is, 'what is an engine bay?'. It is simply the area in the car which holds the engine. Now, engine bay cleaning refers to removing dirt, contaminants, dust, grime, and anything you can think of. The engine is referred to as the heart of an automobile. Therefore, you would want it neat and clean for best performance.

Importance of Engine Bay Cleaning

Many people do not look under the hood until its too late. They wax their cars, opt for ceramic coating, or spends thousands of AEDs on adding accessories. But what they fail to realise is that the things under the hood also require attention. For instance, if the engine bay is not cleaned, grease and other contaminants can accumulate within the other components.

Before you know it, other components can start to malfunction. As a result, they would require complete replacement or repair, which can prove costly. Another advantage of cleaning the engine bay is that it will help you see other problems. For instance, imagine that there is a leak or corrosion. A clean engine bay will give you a clearer picture as opposed to a dirty one.

Apart from this, a clean engine bay can improve a vehicle's resale value. After all, most people look under the hood when buying a used car. If it is dirty or unmaintained, a potential buyer would be put off from offering a fair price for it. On the other hand, a well-maintained engine bay can fetch you hundreds or even thousands more.

Now, let us talk about the cleaning process.

Cleaning the Engine Bay

Before you start the cleaning the bay area, make sure that all other components are wrapped in plastic shrink wrap. Make sure the engine is cooled down before beginning the next step.

Step 1: Clean the bay area using a water hose. Make sure that the area is adequately washed down.

Step 2: Add degreaser to the areas where there is the most oil/grease. Let it sit there for a few minutes. After that, use a soft wash brush to clean the bay area.

Step 3: Rinse again. If not cleaned, repeat the previous step.

Step 4: Add soap to a bucket of water. Use a car wash mitt to clean the bay area. The degreaser would have removed most of the oil and grease. The rest can be cleaned using simple automotive soap.

Step 5: Cleaning again with a low-pressure wash.

Step 6: Clean the plastic parts with a plastic polisher, and the metals one with a metal polisher.

Step 7: Use a leaf blower to dry the engine bay.

Final Thoughts

Once done, start the vehicle and leave it there for 5 minutes. Afterwards, drive as you would normally. For a better experience, you can avail the services of a professional car detailing business. They will clean the hard to reach places. Additionally, they have access to cleaning tools that can get the job quicker and better.