5 Easy Ways to Clean Your Car Engine at Home

10 April 2025

The car engine is often a place that is forgotten when the owner is cleaning their vehicle. This should be avoided as the cleanliness of the car engine can make it last longer and not be troublesome.

Cleaning the car engine must be done carefully and correctly, especially since this is the most sensitive part of the car. Inside, there are engine parts that should not be exposed to water, such as the ECU, cables, and sensors. However, you can easily clean the car engine at home.

Proper Way to Clean the Car Engine

The following steps will help you in cleaning the car engine.

1. Check the Car's Electrical System

Before cleaning the car engine, make sure all electrical power is turned off. It is very dangerous if the area is powered on and then exposed to water. Additionally, it is advisable to start the engine first to facilitate the removal of grime that sticks to the engine parts.

2. Wrap Electrical Parts with Plastic

After the car engine is warm and the electrical system is off, wrap the electrical devices in the engine to prevent water from entering during the washing process. You can cover them with aluminum foil or anything that ensures the electrical devices are safe from water.

3. Choose Easy Parts First

Start with the easier parts, usually the bottom part of the hood, spray that area with water, but remember not to spray with high-pressure water.

4. Be Careful

For the core engine parts, you can use engine degreaser on the engine. Spray engine degreaser on the stained engine as this liquid is effective in cleaning stubborn stains. After spraying the liquid, let it sit for 10 minutes. To spread the liquid evenly, use a brush to apply it to all parts of the engine.

5. Rinsing

When rinsing the engine degreaser, use a spray so that the water does not flow too heavily or splash everywhere. While spraying water, wipe the car engine with slight pressure on the stained areas. If there are still stains, you can also use a brush and add some soap. Scrub the stained parts of the engine, but be careful not to let the soap seep into the car's electrical system.