How To Degrease Your Car Engine
We all notice when the exterior of our car starts to get dirty. But have you taken the time to look under the hood and care for the interior? Maybe you’ve noticed your engine looking especially greasy. It goes without saying that the more use your car gets, the more dirt and grease will build up in the engine bay.
If you appreciate all that your car has done and will continue to do for you, it’s time to learn how to degrease your car engine. You could get a professional to clean your engine during your next service, however; why not give it a go yourself with WD-40’s Specialist Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser?
There’s no need for stress when you’re armed with our fast-acting Degreaser – simply follow our how-to guide on cleaning your car engine bay below.
Why Do I Need to Degrease My Car Engine?
Firstly, let’s understand why car engines need to be degreased regularly. Leaving your engine greasy and full of dirt can cause irreversible damage over time. A greasy car engine increases the risk of engine bay fires, especially when oil and other flammable fluids cover exhaust areas.
Moreover, it becomes far easier to diagnose faults, replace components or work on the car itself if the engine bay is clean. Grease can also accelerate the wear of rubber hoses and plastic parts. A dirty engine bay increases the possibility that damaged areas and oil leaks go unnoticed, leaving you with mechanical and financial problems down the line.
What Is Car Degreaser Used For?
Car degreaser is used to quickly remove stubborn soiling such as oil, grease, dirt and grime. Car degreaser can be used on most uncoated surfaces, such as metal, flooring, glass, most plastic, most rubber and aluminium. WD-40’s Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser is the perfect solution for cleaning anything from alloy wheels to power tools and degreasing engine components, to minimise wear and tear over time.
Now that the topic of “what is car degreaser used for?” has been addressed, let’s move onto tackling how to degrease your car engine.
How To Use Degreaser on Car Engine
- Remove Any Debris
Firstly, remove any debris that impedes your ability to properly degrease your car engine bay, both externally and internally. You should attempt to check up on your engine bay regularly and remove any sticks, stones, paper or grass that has made its’ way in there to avoid damage over time.
- Protect Your Engine and Other Electrical Components
If you own a petrol vehicle, it is necessary to cover up your exposed electrical components. If you degrease or wet electrical components in the engine bay, this can result in electrical failures when the car is eventually turned on. It is preferable to remove the battery from the engine if possible and cover up the exposed wirings and components using plastic wrapping.
If moisture finds its’ way into the electrical components, push it out using an air hose, or let the vehicle dry before engaging in degreasing.
- Degreasing the Car Engine
Firstly, always ensure that you are wearing eye and mouth protection in the form of a mask and goggles before degreasing the engine bay to protect yourself from harmful gasses.
Grab your WD-40 Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser and target the areas around gaskets and seals. It is also worth spraying down the sides of your engine block, especially if there has been spilled oil. After this, degrease your chassis rails and steering components. If you need to remove any details to reach certain engine areas, you should do so.
Our fast-acting, water-based degreaser will remove the grease and grime from your engine without leaving any residue. When considering how to decrease your car engine, look no further than WD-40 – we’ve got you sorted with our specialist range.
It is important to note that you should avoid spraying painted components with the WD-40 Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser; otherwise, it may damage the paint from the surface of your car.
The dirtier your engine, the longer you should leave the spray on. However, it should not be left on for about 30 seconds before being scrubbed off using a bristled brush. This is how to use degreaser on car engine parts.
- Rinse off the Degreaser
Use a hose or any other water spraying device to wash off all the degreaser in the engine bay. Be thorough and cover all areas where the degreaser has been applied but be careful and don’t stand too close. Electrical components such as fuse boxes or alternators, as well as your intake and airbox mustn’t get wet. These parts within the engine bay can be blocked off with cloth or rags.
- Apply More Degreaser and Brush
This step is only needed if the engine bay is not completely clean. Now that there is some water on the engine, it will be easier to reach the dirty areas with your degreaser. After reapplying the degreaser, scrub all covered parts with a bristled brush until all the grime is gone.
- Hose off the Engine Bay
As done previously, wash off all the dirt and degreaser. Make sure that water does not fall into the air intake or electrical components.
While you’re at it cleaning the inside of the car, you may as well clean the outside too! If any degreaser spray has found its way onto the painted exterior of the car, wash it off immediately before it does long-term damage. This will safeguard the exterior paint.
- Drying the Engine Bay and Cleaning Components
The last step in our ‘how to degrease your car engine’ guide is to air dry the engine bay to ensure there is no water inside and out. After you’ve air-dried the inside, go over the area with a cloth to finish it off.
You should also clean your car battery and any other plastic surfaces within the vehicle using a wire or bristled brush.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully learnt how to degrease your car engine.
Is It Safe to Spray Your Engine with Water?
The vast majority of modern cars have had their air boxes covered and electrical components weather proofed. This means that it is safe to spray your engine with water. However, you should still try to avoid spraying the alternator or intake if they’re exposed.
In saying that, if you are the owner of an older model car (pre-2003) or vintage car, you should refrain from spraying your engine with water. Otherwise, you’re going to have more significant problems than figuring out how to degrease your car engine.
The Benefits of WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser
The WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser can degrease anything from hand and power tools to engines or tyre rims. With the Smart Straw applicator, it’s easy to get into those hard-to-reach places.
Safe to use in any workshop, garage or home, WD-40’s Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser will make your life easier and your things cleaner. You can purchase our Fast Acting Citrus Degreaser from the WD-40 specialist range today.