Should I wash my car engine compartment?

To be able to clean the engine compartment yourself instead of having to take it to the garage, the driver needs to have certain technical knowledge, avoid wetting or spraying water directly on electrical parts, and choose the right cleaning solution to help the job go quickly and safely.

Let the engine cool, remove debris

Clean the engine compartment only when the engine has cooled down. If the engine is still hot or warm, open the hood to cool it down quickly, which should take about 30 minutes. Start by hand-cleaning any leaves, dirt, or debris that may be stuck in the air intake, the front windshield, and the engine compartment vents.

You can also use an air compressor if you have one to blow out any debris that is stuck inside. Do not use water to remove these items as this can sometimes lead to cracks and holes in the engine compartment and cause problems for the car.

Protect the parts from water

Use plastic bags, cling film or aluminum foil to cover the electrical parts. The battery, air intake, fuse... are the places that need to be carefully covered to avoid water. This will make it safer to spray water directly into the engine compartment.

Washing steps

Using a spray nozzle with a wide-beam spray, gently spray into the engine compartment. Immediately after wetting, use a soft brush or paint brush to clean the details and corners inside. If your engine has been left for too long, you can use a specialized solution to easily remove dirt, residue, and grease.

Spray water once more and observe, carefully clean the parts that may have been missed during the cleaning of the engine compartment. Some engine cleaning solutions contain chemicals, you should use gloves and a mask to protect your health.

Dry the engine

Once the dirt and grease have been cleaned, use an air compressor, fan or towel to dry the parts in the engine compartment. After drying the parts, carefully remove the plastic bags, plastic films... used to cover the parts inside the engine compartment before, and use a towel to clean these parts.

Then, start the car, run the engine for 2-3 minutes to ensure the fuse and ICs work normally and the engine heats up to dry the parts inside the engine compartment.

Final check

Finally, check the details inside the engine compartment, make sure the plastic wrap, plastic film... have been removed. Cleaning the engine compartment also helps you avoid worrying about mice, insects entering, avoid damage to fuel lines, rubber gaskets, help the vehicle operate safely and protect the machine parts. Cleaning the engine compartment can be done periodically every 3 - 6 months.