How To Clean Your Car’s Engine: 5 Simple Steps

When it comes to vehicle care, having it washed, detailed, and refilling washer fluid seems to be the extent of what you can DIY, right? Surprisingly, this isn’t always the case. You can perform several maintenance tasks yourself to keep your car from sputtering and coughing while on the road. Here are five simple steps to clean your car's engine compartment and motor.

Step 1: Prepare Your Engine

Remove debris harbored in the grill, hood, and vents. A small hand brush will do the job perfectly, but having access to a compressed air container can speed up the process. After removing the debris, cover the sensors, exposed wiring, distributor, and spark plug areas.

You can use small plastic bags and tape to cover sensitive areas to avoid water trailing in.

Step 2: Loosen Grease

Next, start your vehicle and let it run for five to ten minutes. Doing so can shake accumulated oil and grease from engine components. Warming your engine can also facilitate the degreasing application and cleaning process.

Step 3: Apply Engine Degreaser

Using a water or citrus-based degreaser, apply the solution from the bottom up to avoid dripping. Allow the degreaser to soak for three to five minutes, then use a parts brush to remove heavy soil. Remember to be extra careful with how you spray the degreaser as it can negatively affect your fenders, hood, and grille.

Step 4: Wash Your Engine

After degreasing your engine, use a regular garden hose to wash off the residue. Avoid using a high-pressure nozzle during washing to prevent damaging electrical connections.

Step 5: Dry Your Engine

Your engine emits enough warmth to self-dry after washing, but you want to use a microfiber towel to wipe it dry. After drying your engine, spray an engine cleaner for extra protection and buff to shine.



Knowing how to clean your car’s engine in five simple steps keeps it running in optimal condition as if it rolled out of the showroom. If this seems too daunting a task for you, consider reaching out to our mechanics at Advanced Vehicle Technology Services for an inspection today. Our experts specialize in maintenance and car repair in Buffalo Grove, IL, to keep you on the road.