Learn How to Protect A Car Engine by Performing Waterless Engine Detailing Safely

Most people will associate auto detailing with only washing and waxing their vehicles. But a detailing service is more than just that! Yes, it does help remove dirt and grime, and it makes your car’s paint shine but a detail service also ensures the overall cleaning of your auto’s whole interior and exterior. Car detailing services include keeping your windshield, headlight, tires, and other key components super clean. It can also include engine detailing!

When talking about detailing, there’s a lot of different kinds, but most people almost miss out the engine detailing. Why? Because most people are not aware of it.

So, read on and learn why you should consider engine detailing and why it’s vital to have one.

 

Professional engine cleaning for your ride!

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There’s a lot of different type of detailing for automobile like RV detailing and boat detailing. Each kind has specific benefits depending on what the detailers are working on. Basic car detailing will get you a very thorough car wash and high-quality paint protection. But car care doesn’t end there! You can even ask for a car engine cleaning service.

Not a lot of people know about this, therefore, most are ignorant about why it’s important. By availing an engine bay cleaning service, you can help mechanics determine any car problems faster (so they can fix it faster as well!).

So, in this article, we’ll explore:

 

How to Wash Car Engine Safely?

When it comes to full car detailing services, it’s understandable if you feel unsure about it. After all, it tends to get quite expensive if you want the best protection and the deep gloss many a beautiful car has.

Not to mention that you also need to pay the arduous labor that car detailers go through to give you amazing restoration. But you will definitely see how it’s all worth it in the end.

To calm your fears, it’s a good idea to know how to they wash an engine so research it for yourself.

If you want to see a full engine wash, why not go over to ChrisFix’s Youtube video to learn more? You can also read the how-to guide that Popular Mechanics prepared and see how to clean the inside of an engine.

Engine Detailing FAQ: What to Cover When Cleaning the Engine?

If you want a super clean engine compartment that will still work after, it’s not just about removing grease and dirt residue. Some components found under your hood aren’t meant to get in contact with water so it’s always safe to cover up these parts.

You don’t need to use highly specialized covers for this as plastic sandwich bags can do the trick. All you need to remember is to firmly secure it in place with tape so that the water doesn’t get in. Here are the parts of the bay you need to cover:

  • Spark plug openings
  • Alternator
  • Distributor
  • All electrical wiring
  • Sensors
  • Battery

Since the battery’s too big to fit in a plastic bag, simply cover it with something that’s water-proof. But if you want to be extra safe, just remove it from the compartment before beginning to clean.

 

Is it Safe to Spray Your Engine with Water?

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Part of having a clean auto is having a clean engine compartment. Even if you’re asking for professional auto services and not doing it yourself, you must be anxious to know whether it’s actually safe to wash your engine with water.

The simple answer is ‘depending on your engine’. Since not all engines are equal, some will require you to cover more parts than others.

Highly complex engines like a turbocharger may be water-sealed but might have more components that will need to be covered depending on how it’s set up.

More modern engines (those who are made from 2003 or later) are easiest to handle since most of their wires are already water-sealed.

But vintage cars, especially the ones made before the 1990s, will need the most care and might not even be advisable to use water on.

Regardless of the model, it’s a good idea to keep the hose more than five inches away. Even if you cover needed parts and have water-sealed wires, the pressure of the water may seep into unwanted parts and ruin your engine.

All in all, it’s best to practice this with caution and if you’re still not 100% confident, just remember that you’re leaving it to the experts.

 

How to Clean Car Engine Without Water?

Professional detailing aside, if you want a clean engine and are thinking of doing it at home, you might want to consider a waterless engine cleaner. Remember that your engine works super hard to make your car function and that usually leaves it with a lot of oil and grease residue.

The problem with washing the compartment with water is that those dirty residues will mix in with the liquid. Then, it will be carried through the storm drains and into the sea. That’s not the most eco-friendly thing to practice.

Good thing there are now products that can assist you in giving your engine bay a waterless wash. Most of the steps are just like how you’d normally wash your bay but with one small change.

Instead of water, buy a good brand of engine degreaser. Spray it on the surface and leave it on for about 30 seconds so that it can soak up and clean your parts. Then, brush it off with a scrub.

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After that use a waterless car wash and spray it on the surface and leave it on for about 30 seconds so that it can soak up and clean your parts. Then, brush it off with scrub and finally wipe it clean with a cloth. If you are looking for good cloth for car detailing, see this article.

Here are some of the best selling waterless car wash you can try it out:

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The best part about a waterless wash is that you can even do it for your whole car. Read more about it from this article.

Regardless of how economic and environment-friendly this is, availing professional services is still recommended since engine detailing can be considered a bit advanced.

Engine Degreaser Tips

An engine degreaser will help you soften up the dirt and grime stuck in your engine and ultimately clean it up for you. There’s no need to worry that much as most engine degreasers do come in liquid form with a spray nozzle so it’s not hard to apply.

If you want to learn more degreaser tips, just click on this link to get started.

 

Car Engine Cleaning Cost

When it comes to taking care of your car, you would want only the best service there is! That’s why having your engine detailed is a good car cleaning practice. Unfortunately, it’s not an automatic feature included in most detailing packages as it is a bit specialized.

If you want this service to be a part of any of your cleaning packages, it will be more expensive. Think $50 and above as an estimate and price go up if you have a bigger engine like a RV.

It also depends if you’re taking your car straight to the shop or if you’re going to avail mobile detailing services. To be sure, contact your local auto-shop and ask for an estimate.

  • Updated October 24, 2018
James Evans
 

As a passionate outdoorsman and an automobile enthusiast, James spent most of his time in his garage tinkering with cars and bikes. During his free time, he loves to hike and blog about the things that he has done to keep his ride in tip-top condition.

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