Caution: To prevent environmental contamination, wash the engine and engine compartment in designated areas equipped with a sewer or local treatment plant.
During vehicle operation, dirt and oil deposits accumulate on the outer surfaces and engine components. In the engine oil pan area, they impair oil cooling, causing its viscosity to decrease and engine components to wear out rapidly. Abrasive particles accumulated near the engine oil dipstick can enter the engine crankcase each time the oil level is checked. Dirt and oil on engine control system components, electrical equipment, and high-voltage ignition system wires in the engine compartment create undesirable electrical circuits, especially in damp weather, which make it difficult to start the engine and cause interruptions in its operation. Finally, a heavily contaminated engine will not pass the technical inspection.
The cylinder head, cylinder block and engine oil pan are washed with special detergents that remove all types of dirt. Detergents purchased in the store can be divided into two groups:
- engine wash shampoos;
- universal products, for example, for washing engines and removing bitumen stains from the paintwork of the car body.
Among the available means, you can use washing powder or dishwashing liquid dissolved in water.
Warning! Do not use gasoline to wash the engine, as any spark (even a static discharge between your clothing and the car body) can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Warning! Do not use open fire. Do not smoke or start the engine until all detergent residue has been removed from the surface.
Attention! If it is not possible to dry the engine after washing with compressed air, try to avoid water getting on electrical equipment, high-voltage wires, ignition coils.
Warning! Do not start the engine until the cleaning agent or water has been completely removed from its surface: in this case, the risk of electrical equipment failure increases dramatically.
It is preferable to wash the engine at special car washes. This is a standard service at most car washes. The engine is first treated with a special compound, then washed by hand, after which it is rinsed with water under pressure and dried with compressed air. After washing, the serviceability of the electrical equipment and the engine operation should be checked.
Attention! When washing the engine, do not allow water to come into contact with the generator, starter and engine control system components.
When washing the engine at home, you will need a small scraper, a paintbrush, a toothbrush (for hard-to-reach places), a container of water or a garden sprayer. Significant dirt and oil deposits should first be removed with a scraper. If you do not have a scraper at hand, a screwdriver with a long handle or, better yet, a wooden spatula will work well to remove dirt and oil deposits. After washing, blow the engine with compressed air.
Note: If you do not have a compressor, you can use a vacuum cleaner to blow compressed air onto the engine by connecting a hose to its outlet.