Keeping your car in tip-top shape is essential for ensuring your safety and comfort while driving -and upkeeping your engine bay is a key part of this. If you’re someone who drives your car quite frequently, there’s a high chance you’ve got dirt and debris building up on and around your engine.
So, to help you keep your vehicle in the best shape possible, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide for you to follow, detailing how to clean an engine bay of a car in a hassle-free way and the benefits of doing this.
It’s essential you’re clued up on how to safely clean your engine bay to keep your vehicle maintained, as there’s so many benefits to ensuring your vehicle operates at a safe level.
It’s easy for dirt to pile up over time, so a basic level of care and upkeep helps to ward off any rust and corrosion from your engine components. It is vital that the engine doesn’t corrode as this could cause a range of issues, such as overheating or blocked fuel filters.
Cleaning the engine bay also gives you the opportunity to notice anything wrong with any components in the area. Being made aware of any small issues before they become burning problems helps you fix them quicker, inevitably leading to an easier solution. Once you’ve been able solve any noticeable issues, you can feel more reassured when driving.
Not to mention, it’s always nice to have a cleaner car – a well-maintained engine bay also means it’s better for resale whenever you decide to get a new vehicle. This is where it’s also helpful to be clued up on how to clean your car exterior, as well as knowing how to clean the interior.
Before you start to clean, it’s crucial that you prepare your engine bay so it’s safe for you to touch and use cleaning products on. Make sure your car is switched off and enough time has been given for the engine to cool down – this can take around 30-45 minutes. If you’ve got a hybrid or electrical vehicle, then it’s best to keep cleaning any areas under the bonnet to a professional. Now, get your products and tools ready:
Protective gloves
Microfiber cloths
Degreaser (household or purpose-made)
Various synthetic detailing brushes (ideally long handles)
Plastic bags
Low-pressure hose or jet wash
To start with, pop on your gloves and take the time to look over your engine area, making sure that all intake air pipes are correctly secured. If you have an older vehicle, check to see if any electrical components or delicate parts are exposed. If this is the case, make sure to carefully cover any of these areas with plastic bags to prevent any damage, and prioritise having these exposed components checked over by one of our expert technicians at your nearest Eurorepar Car Service centre.
Once ready, take a brush and remove any excess dirt that has built up in the engine bay and under the bonnet. After you’ve removed the larger chunks of dirt, use a low-pressure hose or jet wash to blast away any tougher pieces of grit. Make sure to steer clear of any electrical components and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away water and dirt. Repeat this step until as much surface dirt has been removed as possible to ensure that the engine bay is ready for degreaser to be applied.
Now, you can take your chosen degreaser and apply it to any rubber and plastic areas within the engine bay. If you’re specifically needing to know how to clean oil from an engine bay, it’s beneficial to allow the degreaser to sit for five minutes to work itself into the oil. Then, use a synthetic brush to give the surface area a good scrub to target tougher grease or grime. You can take this time to go over any finer details with a detailing brush to ensure a completely clean engine.
When you’re happy with how much your degreaser has worked the dirt and grease off the surface of your engine, take your hose or jet wash to rinse away all the product and any grime the degreaser has lifted. Once rinsed, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe all reachable areas dry and leave an even finish on the exterior. You can now remove any plastic bags used to cover delicate areas, making sure to also wipe away any water that moving these may leave behind.
If you have no access to water, or would prefer to use a cleaning method that doesn’t require a hose or jet wash, you can follow the below steps:
Use a hoover to pick up any loose dirt and debris from the engine bay, or a synthetic brush to sweep it away.
Wipe away any dried, stubborn dirt with a microfiber cloth.
Apply the degreaser directly to the bay area and scrub with a synthetic brush.
Remove the degreaser with the same microfiber cloth used to wipe away the surface dirt.
Smooth the surface with a clean microfiber cloth to ensure an even finish.
To ensure your car’s engine bay stays clean in the long run, it’s essential you continue to look after your vehicle once you’ve got everything in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, there are no preservatives or products that can physically prevent the bay area from retaining dirt, but there’s a few steps to take to reduce the chances of it getting dirty:
Cover your car – store your car in a garage or get a covering for the outside of your car. This will help lower the chances of any dirt and debris getting inside the bay area.
Maintain regularly – focusing on the upkeep of your car will help to keep your engine bay in a great condition.
Detail often – having your car detailed will mean your car gets polished and cleaned thoroughly, ensuring the best results.
We hope our guide has helped you understand how to clean an engine bay of a car, and has equipped you with all the information you need to keep you safe in your vehicle. If you’d like more assistance with assessing the condition of your engine, why not book an MOT at your closest Eurorepar centre or take your car for a service? Or, for general motor advice and information, head over to our blog.
