Questions and Answers
A Clean Engine Is A Happy Engine
Q. Vince, I've heard a lot of people say that you should clean your engine, and the only way I know how to do that would be to drive to one of those self-service car washes and spray it down with the engine cleaner. Is this really a good thing to do to your car? Or is there a better way, or should I clean it at all?
Thank you for your time,
SteveA. Cleaning an engine is a good idea. It helps it run cooler and lowers the chance of some fluid catching fire. It also makes spotting fluid leaks easier and catching them before they become a major problem.
I use Gunk engine cleaner to clean my engines. It's simple to use and washes right off. Basically you warm the engine up and spray it on, making sure all airways are sealed so no water can get inside the engine. Use about half the can and reapply it after 10 minutes or so. You can use a parts brush and dig into the really heavy stuff. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and just hose it off. If there is any dirty spots left over, I use Zep brake cleaner to hit those spots and when the engine dries, I'll use another can of Gunk and do it all over again.
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