It sounds crazy, but we get calls from folks asking questions like, how to clean car engines. It is not crazy really, in fact it’s a good idea to ask such a question before pouring soap on your engine and hosing it off. There are several viable methods of cleaning your engine. For whatever the reason is that you want to clean your engine, it’s nice idea.
It’s good to keep it somewhat clean for a couple of reasons. One is that it will run a bit cooler. Another is that it is easier to identify it if you need parts or another engine. Number three, it’s much easier to work on. It’s also easier to nail down an engine oil leak if the engine is not super dirty. Although, an engine oil leak will cut a pathway through the grease as it gravity forces it down. It’s the detergents in the oil that washes away the oil and forms a path. So that’s an easy leak to find. But you may want to clean the engine before you get to work.
I have to mention that there are environmental issues with just washing the grease off your engine onto the ground. It’s against the law and unethical to put oil in the dirt.
I don’t know what methods are the most popular anymore, but let me outline several ways to do it.
1. Hire, or rent a pressure washer or steam cleaner. Or perhaps one of the car detailing places has one. The issues here are to make sure the electrical parts are not blasted by the hot pressurized water, for fear of damaging them or the car not starting for a few hours. Best left for a pro.
2. Buy several cans of “Gunk” engine cleaner. It’s been around since I was a kid in the ’60’s. Gunk works OK. Sometimes it takes several tries to get the engine clean, and you are washing the oily dirt down the “drain” or into the “earth”, so think about that if you choose this method. It is the cheapest way to go.
3. Use your moms dish washing liquid. Forget about it. Dish liquid won’t cut the baked on, or 1/2″ deep grease. And your mom will get mad.
4. Drive to the car-wash and use their pressure equipment. This is a popular method, if you can get away with it. Most car washes don’t allow this anymore because they have to reuse the water for conservation purposes. In fact, you will probably be approached by the attendant and run off.
I think the best way to clean your engine properly is by someone who has the equipment and experience to do it. It won’t cost very much, and you won’t mess anything up or break the law.
If you are asking this question because you need to ID you engine because you need a replacement engine, then call the engine specialists, GotEngines.com @ 1-941-269-8284 and ask anything that’s on your mind about engines. Call now.