Engine Bay Cleaning Tips: How To Clean + Maintain It At Home

While the exterior of a car usually enjoys frequent washing, waxing, and polishing, the mechanical interior is often neglected. In fact, most engine bays are never cleaned at all, barring a cursory once-over by a mechanic during a repair or oil change.

Because of how engines work, and this lack of routine cleaning, engine bays grow incredibly dirty over time. There are countless moving parts, oil is used to lubricate the components (and grows dirty in its own right), and no part of the engine is naturally repellent to grime. Filth accumulates from mould, dust, adverse weather, leaf litter, and debris whipped up from the road while driving. The more you drive, the more your engine bay collects.

Aside from aesthetic preferences, a dirty engine bay can impact your car's performance, resale value, lifespan, and more. With these engine bay cleaning tips, let's explore why you should perform a deep clean and how to do it right:

Benefits Of A Clean Engine Bay

It's recommended that you clean your engine bay at least once a year to experience the most benefits. If you live in rural areas with more exposure to dirt, foliage, debris, and other dirtying factors, this cleaning routine may need to be increased. If you live in paved areas and primarily drive on city roads, more time between cleanings will be fine.

Here are the advantages to keeping your engine bay consistently cleaned:

Better Performance

A cleaner engine bay correlates with better performance. In a direct sense, leaf litter can block air intake and force your engine to work harder to supply the same amount of power. This not only overworks the engine, but generates a great deal of heat. Clearing out debris will improve efficiency and cool the engine.

Additionally, batteries operate better if the terminals are properly cleaned, electrical-greased, and covered. This promotes conductivity.

Finally, excessive debris under your bonnet means that open-element electrical components (like the alternator) run the risk of getting clogged up. Likewise, belts can slip or deteriorate if they aren't cleaned regularly.

Heightened Resale Value

Although the under-bonnet area is not the first space that people see when they view a car, it still plays an important role in the sale price. A clean engine bay gives the impression of a well-maintained, wisely cared-for vehicle. As a result, potential buyers are far more likely to pay asking price for a car. Well-cleaned hidden parts indicate a better lifespan and no surprise defects.

Peace Of Mind

A clean engine bay can provide peace of mind that no accidental damage from debris will affect your parts under the bonnet. The cleaning process itself allows you to check on the many components, and address any issues as they appear. A clean area also prevents jamming or blockages, which can escalate out of sight when you don't have a consistent cleaning schedule.

Increased Visibility

Without filth littering your engine bay, it's far easier to see the components (especially small ones) and gauge the condition of your vehicle in a glance. For example, a tidy area free of dirt or leaf litter makes it far simpler to notice if a gasket leaks. As such, issues can be visually detected, traced back to their source, and addressed immediately.

How To Clean Your Engine Bay

It's possible to clean an engine bay on your own at home. If you do it regularly, it will only take a few minutes and basic materials for upkeep. If this is your first cleaning session, however, and the engine bay is filthy, it may take upward of an hour and require specialised cleaning liquids.

In any case, you should:

• Park on a flat surface and let your engine cool off before conducting any work under the bonnet. You don't want to touch a hot engine or spray cold water on it.
• Before proceeding, remove the negative battery cable. This will limit the risk of damaging any of the battery's inner components and also prevent the chance of electrocution.
• Cover up the battery, distributor, and alternator with a waterproof sheet. This will protect them from any potential water damage.
• Using your bare hands, gloves, or a brush, remove any leaf litter and brush away other** debris**. Try to pull the debris out instead of knocking it further down into the engine.
• Use a degreaser spray or paste, cover the engine bay. A thorough coating is recommended.
• Rub this in with a soft bristle brush. Soft is best to avoid scratches
• Rinse it off with a hose. It's important to use a gentle hose setting, as strong jets may damage components.
• Use a microfiber towel to dry the excess water off. Make sure to get in all the nooks and crannies.
• Do not leave the engine bay to air dry. This may allow moisture to gather in isolated areas.
• Remove the waterproof cover and reattach your negative terminal once everything is dry. You're done!

Need Help Cleaning Your Engine Bay

If you don't have the interest or the confidence to clean your own engine bay, but you still want to gain the advantages of one, you can reach out to your local Autofusion centre. Our skilled experts can perform a thorough engine bay cleaning alongside packaged servicing, so you can be sure your vehicle is in top shape.

If you have any questions or want to know more about how to maintain your engine, get in contact today.