Description
How do you safely wash your car's engine bay? In this DIY video I clean a wicked dirty engine bay full of sand and grime using Super Clean degreaser and a regular garden hose with a sprinkler head, with no pressure washer. I show how I prep the engine (cold and dry), protect the oil fill opening, spray the degreaser, let it soak, start the car before rinsing so the heat helps dry everything out, and rinse any overspray off the paint. The before and after is night and day.
Disclosure: The folks at Super Clean sent me this degreaser. I've been using their product for 20 to 30 years.
🔗 Super Clean on Amazon:https://link.amazon/B0erSVU9P
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro: dirty engine bay & Super Clean degreaser
0:45 Before you start: cold, dry engine (no carb or chrome)
1:21 Protect the carb & make sure the oil fill cap is on
1:40 Spray degreaser over the engine bay
2:23 Let it soak, then start the engine
2:56 Rinse with a garden hose (no pressure washer)
3:52 Rinse residue off the paint
4:13 The result: clean engine bay
4:40 Let it run to dry it out
4:54 Wrap-up
🧰 WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Super Clean cleaner-degreaser (spray bottle)
- Garden hose with a sprinkler head nozzle
- Plastic bag (only if your engine has a carburetor)
❓ FAQ
Q: Should the engine be hot or cold when you wash it?
A: Start with a cold, dry engine that hasn't been running for a while. Super Clean's own directions also say to spray it on a cool engine.
Q: Can I use a pressure washer on my engine?
A: I don't. Modern cars have a lot of electronics under the hood, so I use a regular garden hose with a sprinkler head and go in gently.
Q: What should I cover before washing an engine?
A: If your engine has a carburetor, put a plastic bag over it so water doesn't get in. Make sure the oil fill cap on the valve cover is on so no water gets down in through the oil fill.
Q: Is degreaser safe on chrome and paint?
A: Any degreaser can risk dulling or discoloring chrome, so this method is for engines with plastic covers and no chrome. Don't let it sit on your paint. Rinse off any overspray right away.
Q: Why start the engine before rinsing?
A: Running it builds some heat so the leftover water evaporates and moisture gets out of the wires. A little steam coming off afterward is just water evaporating. I let it run 5 to 10 minutes after rinsing, then close the hood.
Q: Any safety tips for using Super Clean?
A: Read the label first. The manufacturer's safety sheet lists it as a skin and eye irritant and recommends gloves and eye protection.
💬 How dirty is your engine bay right now? Do you wash yours, or leave it alone? Tell me in the comments and I'll reply back.
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#EngineBayCleaning #CarDetailing #SuperClean
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