How to remove oil from a car engine at home?

Almost every car owner asked the question: “How and with what help can you wash the engine of oil and other contaminants?” During long-term operation of a vehicle, a large amount of contaminants of various origins accumulates in the engine compartment. In addition to the aesthetic appearance, this problem is important from a technical point of view. After all, a large accumulation of dirt in the power unit can affect the correct operation of the engine system. That is why it is very important to keep the engine of your vehicle clean.

Many owners turn to car washes for this service, where they clean the power unit with a jet of water under high pressure. This service has a low cost, but there is a possibility of water getting into electrical equipment, which can disrupt the operation of the generator, starter and other important systems. In this article we will look at how, with what and in what sequence you should wash the engine from oil and dirt at home.

How to wash a car engine at home

You can clean the engine compartment yourself. You can clean the engine both with and without Karcher equipment. If you live in a private house, then it makes sense to purchase a Karcher mini sink.

Since it is universal and useful not only for washing the interior and exterior of the car, but also for cleaning other external objects around the house and facades.

Advantages of washing with Karcher appliances:

Washing with Karcher equipment will significantly speed up the process of washing a car engine;
regulation of water supply pressure (from 20 to 160 bar);
low water consumption (compared with the consumption when supplying water from a centralized city water supply network).

Now let’s look at the questions: how to wash a car engine at home and what detergents are best to choose? You can choose special car shampoos that do not contain aggressive acids.

Some experts recommend any means for washing kitchen utensils (they do not contain substances that can damage the car).

The most effective product is a foam engine cleaner. Just a couple of minutes, and it will dissolve various contaminants in the engine space (oil leaks, road reagents, road salt residues, technical fluids).

Active foam holds and does not slip on the surface, gets into various small recesses between parts, softens and removes the most stubborn dirt. It is a safe product for plastic and rubber parts.

Choosing detergents

So how can you wash and clean the engine of your favorite car at home yourself? To clean it, regular soap is not enough. In addition, household detergents are not suitable for these purposes. To effectively remove dirt from the engine, it is better to buy special substances . They can be both universal and specialized:

Universal. Designed for washing not only the car as a whole, but also for washing the area under the hood.
Specialized. They can be used both to remove oils and to remove dust and dirt. Designed for both the engine and other parts of the machine.

To wash dirt from the engine, you can use a bottle with a manual sprayer . But it is convenient only when the internal combustion engine and other components do not fit tightly together. Under other conditions, it is better to use an aerosol spray . This way you can process hard-to-reach parts of the internal combustion engine.

How to wash your car engine yourself

The engine compartment must be cleaned of oil and other dirt approximately once a year. Typically, drivers combine this procedure with regular annual maintenance or a general car wash when the seasons change. This operation is provided by almost any car service. But you can wash the engine yourself.

Methods

There are 4 common ways to wash a car engine:

Dry cleaning with specialized products in aerosol foam or liquid format that do not require rinsing. Such substances are prohibited from being applied to some engine elements, as indicated in their instructions.
Steam washing. It is carried out by professional car services and requires special equipment. It is difficult to perform this procedure at home. In addition, hot steam can kill a power plant if it is directed “in the wrong way” and “in the wrong direction.”
Contactless cleaning with Karcher or other manual car washes. Effective, but not the safest method. High water pressure can damage the external elements of the motor, and some of it sometimes gets inside it, causing rust or breakdown.
Rinse with water. A special cleaning agent should first be applied to the parts to be cleaned, and after a few minutes, rinse it off with a gentle stream of water. The method is simple and most common among car owners, but there is a danger of moisture getting inside the power unit.

With Karcher

Apply a cleaning composition to the surface of the internal combustion engine with a brush or spray. After waiting for some time, it is washed off using a mini-car wash. The water pressure should be minimal - a strong jet can disrupt the operation of the engine.

Without Karcher

If you don’t have a home car wash, you can clean the engine from dirt using a hand or aerosol sprayer. The second option is best used when the components of the internal combustion engine and its surrounding components fit too tightly to each other.

Engine preparation

If dry cleaning with aerosols is used, the power unit of the machine must first be warmed up to a warm state. Applying such products to a cold internal combustion engine will not bring the desired result. In all other cases, the engine must be cool before starting washing. Otherwise, a stream of cold water will cause it to cool sharply and there is a risk of deformation of the cylinder head.

Before cleaning you must:

disconnect the negative terminal on the battery;
disassemble the engine protection;
protect all wires and sensors by wrapping them tightly with film, foil and securing the winding with adhesive tape;
disconnect all parts that prevent access to the motor.

Note! If possible, treat sensors, wires, and electrical contacts with a moisture-repellent compound.

Selecting a detergent

All liquids for washing a car engine are:

universal;
profile.

With all of them they wash not only the engine compartment, but the entire car. But profile compositions have a directional effect. They are designed to remove oil residues, dust and dirt mixed with them from parts.

Household chemicals

It is not recommended to use kitchen detergent to clean a car engine. However, in the absence of other options when washing with your own hands, this option is also suitable. Liquids remove fat deposits well. They do not contain components harmful to rubber, plastic and other parts of the engine compartment.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies - kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel and other flammable substances, which are sometimes used to wash the engine, considering them excellent solvents, do not work in this case. They remove oil films well, but are flammable. If after the procedure even one drop remains under the hood, a fire is very likely.

Errors when washing

Mistakes made when cleaning the internal combustion engine can cause problems with electrical wiring. For example, this happens if the water pressure is too strong. Another common mistake is using solutions that are not intended for washing the engine. In this case, the engine compartment may catch fire.

But most often the mistake is made after washing - while drying the unit. If the operation is performed incorrectly, there is a risk that the power plant will not dry out completely. And starting a wet motor can cause a short circuit or other breakdown of the unit.

Engine washing methods

When the question of how to wash a car engine has been decided, let’s decide how to do it. And here are some common methods :

Dry cleaning . Use liquid or foam in an aerosol can. There is no need to rinse with water after applying the substance. Before using such a product, it is necessary to warm up the engine , but not to a too hot state. If you apply the product to a cold engine, cleaning will not be effective. It is prohibited to apply to some parts of the internal combustion engine; this is indicated in the instructions. The process itself is also very labor-intensive.
Steam washing . This professional method is not suitable for home use. Only a specialist knows how to properly wash and not damage the engine.
Karcher . Not the safest method of contactless cleaning. High pressure water can damage some parts of the internal combustion engine. A small amount of liquid can also get inside the motor and cause damage or corrosion.
Rinse with water . A special cleaning agent is first applied. After some time, it is simply washed off with a stream of water. This method is the most common, but does not protect against moisture getting into the motor.

The engine compartment needs to be flushed only once a year.

Should you wash the engine yourself?

Pollution is a mixture of dust and oil, as well as other harmful substances. They put the engine in a terrible state, and after that it loses its attractive appearance. Before you start washing the engine, you need to figure out whether this process harms the engine itself and whether it needs to be washed so often. The store has a large selection of liquids for washing car engines.

Most drivers, of course, will think that a car wash will wash the insides of the car well and safely, but this is not always the case. After all, the organization does not bear any responsibility for washing, and they do not take measures to protect your engine. Therefore, wash the engine yourself, it will be better, and you yourself will be responsible for your engine. But, when deciding to wash the engine yourself, you need to know the correctness of this work. After all, improper engine cleaning can have serious consequences.

From this video you will learn what proper engine cleaning at a car wash should look like:

Let's start washing the car engine

We wet the engine generously with the prepared solution, which consists of detergent and water using a sponge. Use a brush to access hard-to-reach places. In this case, much depends on the design of the engine itself.

You can leave the engine alone for 5 - 10 minutes so that the washing solution does its job.

Then start cleaning the dirt in heavily soiled areas. To do this, you can use the same toothbrush, a hard non-metal brush, or a rag soaked in a solution of kerosene and water.

If possible, flush the engine with high pressure water.

If this is not possible, then simply wipe the engine with a rag soaked in plenty of water. You can simply water the engine from a plastic bottle, and at the same time wipe the engine with a rag.

If washing the car engine the first time does not lead to the desired result, the procedure should be repeated.

Preparing for washing - the engine loves cleanliness

A working engine should not have any leaks of working fluids. It is imperative to periodically remove dirt and dust for the following reasons:

Accumulated dirt and dust are a good heat insulator, which can lead to overheating of the power unit. In addition, fuel consumption increases and engine power decreases.
A clean engine makes it easier and faster to carry out maintenance: replacing working fluids, filters, spark plugs, etc. Specialists at a service station with clean cars do their work better.
Dirty threaded connections are more difficult to unscrew, and parts covered with dirt wear out faster.
A dirty engine increases the risk of fire. Oil that appears on the engine or other parts of the car can ignite when the exhaust gases ignite from a spark if the exhaust manifold is not working properly.
With a clean power unit, you can immediately detect oil or fluid leaks and quickly fix the problem before it becomes more serious.
Contamination can cause electrical leakage, which can make it difficult to start the car.
A car with a clean engine has an attractive sales appearance, which makes it possible to sell the car at a higher price.

Thorough preparation of the unit before washing is the key to a high-quality result

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Before washing the engine compartment of a car, you need to carry out some preparatory steps that will help protect wiring, electrical devices and parts that are sensitive to moisture from penetrating moisture.

At the preparatory stage, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

We de-energize the car by disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery or removing the battery from the car to make washing safe.
Unscrew the protection from the engine compartment.
Close the air intake to prevent water from getting inside the engine.
Using tape and plastic film, we protect all connections, connectors, sensors and wiring from moisture. Electrical contacts and connectors can be treated with a special water-repellent aerosol, which provides effective protection against moisture.
At this stage, we disconnect the parts and components that interfere with getting to the engine.

Having carried out the preparatory work, you need to prepare several brushes, a bucket of water, clean rags, a Karcher (if you don’t have one, you can take any hose), detergents and chemicals. It is better to use brushes with a long handle, this will make it possible to reach hard-to-reach places. With the help of a Karcher, thanks to the high pressure, it is easy to wash away dirt and oil.

Other nuances of wet engine care

Another option for cleaning the engine, which is used by experienced drivers, is washing with kerosene or diesel fuel. They have excellent cleansing abilities. But you should be prepared for the fact that after the engine heats up, caustic fumes will begin to be released from areas treated with kerosene.

Today, there are also specialized services such as high-pressure washing. However, opinions about its appropriateness are divided. The fact is that a strong stream of water will somehow get into the generator, various relays, and inside the wiring. In the future, this can cause corrosion processes, as well as damage to the top layer of paint on the parts.

When washing with a hose, be sure to use special car shampoos, and not just any product. Kitchen detergents do not have the necessary characteristics and simply cannot cope with dirt and oil deposits. Immediately after finishing washing, it is advisable to dry the engine completely. To do this, it is not enough to park the car in an area warmed by the sun's rays. It is better if you have a vacuum cleaner or compressor at hand, which will provide air supply to hard-to-reach areas. As soon as the moisture has evaporated, you can additionally go over it with a clean napkin. It is recommended to wash the power unit inside and out at least once a year.

As you can see from the above material, it is quite possible to clean a car engine at home. For those who do not want to tinker on their own, we recommend turning to specialized car washes. In future publications we will return to the topic of engine maintenance and the efficiency of its operation. Don't forget to join our subscribers! See you again!

Car engine cleaners

To wash the outside of the engine, there are many products available on the modern automotive chemical market. But the use of ordinary household powders and liquids is extremely undesirable, as they can harm the engine and many parts under the hood. Engine cleaning chemicals are of the following types:

Universal, designed to remove several types of contamination.
Specialized, designed to combat specific types of dirt.

Products can be packaged in glass or plastic containers, or in the form of an aerosol can. Concentrated products in the form of a gel are diluted with water to the required consistency, depending on the degree of contamination of the unit

In order not to make a mistake in your choice, you need to study the composition and pay attention to the manufacturer that manufactured the product. It is not recommended to purchase chemicals from unknown brands

There is no ideal detergent that can cope with any type of dirt. And all the products that are intended for this have a different composition. Even if you use the entire jar, you may not achieve the desired result. Any product can deal with mild stains, but complex and severe stains will require repeated treatment and rinsing with water. The following products are most often used by car enthusiasts:

1. Engine Degreaser, manufactured by the American company Prestone. Available in the form of an aerosol can. It copes well only with simple stains, leaving dirt in hard-to-reach places. Excellent at removing oil deposits and brake fluid, but mediocre at removing road grime.

2. Consol, produced by a domestic manufacturer in the form of an aerosol can. The composition does not pose a danger to paintwork, plastic and rubber parts. It copes well with light stains, leaving oily areas. To remove road dirt, you will need a brush.

3. Turtle Wax, made in England in the form of a plastic container with a hand-held sprayer. Judging by reviews from car enthusiasts, the product removes only individual contaminants and is not suitable for washing the entire engine. It removes oil and brake fluid perfectly, but cannot cope with road dirt. At the same time, it is convenient to use, allowing you to direct a spray jet to any place from a long distance.

4. Catene Liqui Moly, a product of a famous German manufacturer. Excellent for removing brake fluid, oil and road dirt. A strong jet reaches hard-to-reach places, but the can requires a vertical position when spraying. The suspension is easily removed with water, leaving a clean surface.

5. Abro, under which a simple and foam cleaner is produced. They differ in packaging design, but act approximately the same. According to the instructions, the foam version should not come into contact with paintwork. Both products dissolve oil and brake fluid well, and partially cope with road dirt.

6. Sintec, produced by a domestic manufacturer in containers with a wide spray nozzle. The product, in comparison with all the above-mentioned cleaners, has the lowest price and effectiveness - it weakly removes oil stains and brake fluid, and does not remove road dust at all. It is advisable to use it only for removing insects, bitumen stains and traces of poplar buds.

When using any of the products, it is important to understand how to use this or that product correctly - the final result will depend on this

Step-by-step instructions for washing the power plant

In order to clean the power plant correctly and without consequences, you must adhere to the following rules and follow the instructions.

Step 1. Preparatory stage.

It is recommended to carry out the cleaning process in warm and dry weather. This way, the moisture remaining in the engine compartment will evaporate several times faster.

First, you need to prepare all available means in advance. We will need: personal protective equipment, foil or polyethylene, tape, a brush of different sizes (medium and small, for hard-to-reach places), a sponge, a rag, a cleaning agent, a container with water, a container for collecting remaining dirt.

Cleaning is carried out at an engine temperature of 50-60 degrees. If the engine has been started, then it is necessary to allow it to cool to the desired temperature. Otherwise, you need to start and warm up the engine to the specified temperature.

Next, open the hood and remove the terminals from the battery.

After that, using prepared polyethylene or foil, we cover all the places where the electrical equipment is located and fix them with tape

We pay great attention to the idle speed sensor, since if you overdo it and fill it with water, then there may be problems with idle speed

Step 2

Precautionary measures

Personal protective equipment must be used. First of all, these are rubber gloves. Chemical cleaners can be harmful to your skin. In addition, contaminants in the form of oil are very difficult to remove. Therefore, rubber gloves and work uniform will be an integral part of this process.

In addition, we recommend using safety glasses whenever possible. Sprays and drops of cleaner may get into your eyes. Glasses will help prevent drops of cleaner, dirt and other foreign objects from getting into your eyes.

Step 3: Apply Cleaner

We carefully read the instructions for the purchased cleaner.

First, you need to rinse all contaminated surfaces with a small amount of water. Then the chemical is applied. If the product is in the form of an aerosol, then it is simply sprayed onto the required areas. If the product is in the form of a solution, then it is applied using a sponge. We recommend using a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach places.

After application, wait the required time for the cleaner to interact with the contaminants. The duration is usually indicated in the instructions.

Step 4. Safety and environmental measures.

First of all, you need to carefully apply the cleaner. These mixtures are highly flammable and explosive, so safety regulations must be followed.

During the washing process, it is necessary to ensure cleanliness and not pollute the environment. If possible, any remaining dirt and oil should be collected in a container specially prepared for this purpose.

Step 5. Final stage

Finally, we rinse all the places where the cleaner was applied. It will be convenient to use a hose with a low water pressure

It is worth noting that the engine compartment must be washed with caution, avoiding contact with electrical equipment, even though they are protected with polyethylene or foil.

It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to clean your engine from oil and dirt. You just need to follow the instructions and rules, and then your engine will shine and will not fail at the right time.

Sometimes you really want to treat your car with water treatments. However, if there is no question of whether or not to wash the body and interior of the car, then washing the engine raises some concerns. Now we will try to understand its intricacies and finally wash the engine with our own hands.

Is it necessary to wash a car engine, and why do it?

The area under the hood is leaking. This leads to the gradual accumulation of dust and oil drips underneath, which negatively affects the operation of the car, namely:

the accumulation of oils and dust prolongs the cooling time of the case;
machine oil and technical fluids are highly flammable substances, which can lead to an engine fire;
complicates and prolongs repair work and engine maintenance, as it makes it difficult to see the location of the breakdown and oil leaks;
a wiring short may occur;
reduction in car power;
precarious work;
increased fuel consumption;

Whether it is necessary to wash the car engine is the owner’s decision; the main thing is to correctly assess the degree of contamination, in what conditions you operate the car (in the city or off-road), this will determine how often the engine of your car needs to be cleaned.

If you do not understand this, it is better to seek advice from an experienced specialist.

Why do you wash the engine compartment?

Some people think that washing the engine is superfluous and actually useless. There are also those who perceive cleaning the engine compartment solely as a pre-sale preparation procedure in order to profitably sell the car on the secondary market.

There are several reasons why periodic washing is the right decision on the part of the car owner:

If you clean the engine from dirt, oil and other types of contaminants, it can last much longer. This is due to the fact that due to external contamination, the operation of the forced cooling system is disrupted;
Dirt accelerates the wear of internal combustion engine components. It starts corrosion processes, reduces engine life, forces you to change consumables more often, etc.;
Dirt negatively affects electrical and electronic systems. Debris can make negative changes to the operation of the ignition system;
Oil accumulation can lead to unscheduled and unexpected fires. Even a small accidental spark, and the engine is already blazing.

But we must not forget that looking at a clean and tidy engine is much more pleasant than looking at an oily, sticky pile of iron.

Useful tips

Before using the detergent, you should carefully read the instructions.
Be sure to first prepare the engine for washing.
If possible, you should first remove dirt from the surface by wiping the engine with a rag.
When washing a car with water, be sure to dry it with a compressor.
Then you need to check the car. If it starts as usual, then everything was done correctly. If the motor stalls or extraneous noise appears, something went wrong during the washing process.

Cleanliness is the key to the health of the machine. The car enthusiast will be sure that the iron horse will not fail at the wrong moment. The main thing is to know how and with what to wash a car engine. Try to clean the engine of your iron horse at least once a year. Then many breakdowns can be avoided.

Apply cleaning agent

After the engine has warmed up a little and some elements have been protected from moisture, you can begin spraying the cleaning composition. Modern engine cleaning products act quickly and effectively. It is not advisable to use too aggressive chemicals based on petroleum products or solvents. They quickly act on oil build-ups and stubborn dirt, but at the same time they destroy rubber tubes with plastic located under the hood. To wash the engine, it is better to use water-based cleaning compounds.

General purpose cleaners that can remove grease can be used.

Depending on how dirty the engine is, you need to let the cleaning composition soak into the dirt film for 3–10 minutes. Do not let the cleaner dry on it, otherwise traces will remain.

If the motor is heavily soiled or there is stubborn dirt, it is better to use a brush with a long handle. Hard-to-reach places can be cleaned with a toothbrush.

After applying the cleaner and, if necessary, using a brush, thoroughly wash the engine and its components with water.

If you use a high pressure washer, do not apply too much pressure or spray water too close to electrical connectors.

Allow the water to dry briefly, then wipe the accessible parts of the engine with a clean rag before the water dries itself, so as not to leave any traces of dried water. After wiping with a dry cloth, start the car and let it run for a few minutes. This will help the remaining moisture evaporate.

When everything is dry and the engine has cooled, apply a special protective compound. You can also apply a protective coating to the engine compartment plastic and rubber tubes.

How to wash a car engine yourself

When washing a car, you should remember the safety rules so that washing brings benefits and not harm to the engine and the costs of its subsequent repairs. When washing with a Karcher, use minimum pressure (20 bar)

Since high water supply pressure can destroy the seal of the insulation or get into other undesirable places around it (generator connectors, relays, etc.).

The consequences can be fatal for electrical components.

You should not use gasoline when cleaning the engine - in addition to the persistent smell of gasoline, this can lead to a fire, since gasoline is a flammable substance.

How to wash a car engine yourself so that the result is satisfactory.

This is a simple process, the main thing is to prepare everything necessary for washing and insulation, and strictly adhere to all stages.

Preparation: check the weather forecast and choose a dry, sunny day (humidity no higher than 50%) - this will speed up the drying process, which is very important for electrical elements; temperature of the engine and water for washing is 30-40 degrees (do not wash a cold or hot engine); prepare waterproof films to insulate water-sensitive electrical components of the engine and factory stickers; prepare auto chemicals for washing the interior parts of the car - please note that car shampoo is not suitable for washing the body; purchase a compressor to dry the washed space under the hood. Washing process: cover with plastic wrap (or bags) the parts that need to be insulated from water, secure them with adhesive tape - air intake, electrical parts of the engine, spark plugs, connectors, etc.; if the engine is cold, warm it up for 2-3 minutes

(but not longer, so as not to overheat). This speeds up the process of washing away adhered dirt; remove the battery (car battery); After all necessary parts are waterproofed and the battery is removed, apply detergent to the engine (follow the instructions on the car shampoo package for the engine); wait a few minutes until the dirt dissolves, wipe with a sponge where necessary, it is more convenient to rub hard-to-reach places with a brush; rinse the engine with water from a hose or Karcher (with minimal pressure); When the washing result is satisfactory, we proceed to drying.

How to wash a car engine yourself so that it starts again? It depends on how carefully and thoroughly you dry the engine after washing.

It is necessary to thoroughly dry the entire space under the hood using a compressor;
Remove all films used to insulate the necessary parts of the motor;
Check all recesses for any remaining water (if any, wipe with a sponge or rag);
Start the car. If the engine has been washed carefully, it will start.

If for some reason the car does not start, do not panic. Check all the grooves again and dry them with a compressor.

Water may have gotten into the spark plugs; unscrew each one and dry it. Check all wiring elements, there may be a short circuit somewhere.

If there is a distributor in the machine, unscrew the cap and check whether water has entered there.

If after the inspection the car does not start, you should contact a service center.

Source

Rating of popular engine cleaners

This subsection presents a list of effective, that is, good car engine cleaners that have repeatedly proven their worth in practice. The list does not advertise any of the products presented on it. It is compiled based on comments found on the Internet and the results of real tests. Therefore, all the cleaners presented below are recommended for purchase by both ordinary car enthusiasts and professionals who professionally wash cars in car repair shops, car washes, and so on.

Spray engine cleaner Liqui Moly Motorraum-Reiniger

The Liqui Moly Motorraum-Reiniger aerosol spray cleaner is rightfully considered one of the best among its competitors. This is a special cleaner specifically designed for use in the engine compartments of almost any car. With its help, you can quickly and easily remove stains of oil, grease, bitumen, tar, brake pad abrasive, preservatives, salt compounds from roads and other contaminants. Liquid Moly engine cleaner does not contain chlorinated hydrocarbons. Propane/butane is used as the expulsion gas in the cylinder. Traditional use. The distance from which the product needs to be applied is 20...30 cm. The waiting time for the chemical reaction to complete is 10...20 minutes (if the contamination is old, it is better to wait up to 20 minutes or more, this will ensure high efficiency of the product).

Reviews and actual tests conducted by car enthusiasts show that the Liqui Moly Motorraum-Reiniger cleaner really copes with the tasks assigned to it very well. At the same time, thick foam ensures penetration into various hard-to-reach places. It is also noted that the product is quite economical, so one package of cleaner will probably be enough for several sessions of treating the engine compartment (for example, several times a year, in the off-season). Great for treating your car before selling it. The only disadvantage of this purifier is the relatively high price compared to its competitors. However, this feature is typical for most auto chemicals produced under the world famous Liqui Moly brand.

Liqui Moly Motorraum-Reiniger engine cleaner spray is sold in a 400 ml aerosol can. The article number under which it can be purchased in any online store is 3963. The average price of such packaging as of the winter of 2018/2019 is about 600 rubles.

Runway Foamy Engine Cleaner

Runway Foamy Engine Cleaner is one of the most popular and effective products in its market segment. The instructions for the product indicate that it easily removes any contaminants present in the engine compartment - burnt technical fluids, oil stains, salt road residues and simply old dirt. In addition, it prevents the destruction of electrical wiring under the hood. Safe for elements made of plastic and rubber. Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid is used as the main detergent. It is a synthetic emulsifier that dissolves the substances listed above and allows you to wash off even after the emulsifier has dried.

Tests conducted by car owners suggest that the Runway foam engine cleaner really does a very good job even of old dirt and easily removes dried stains of oil, grease, brake fluid, and so on. The method of use is traditional. The time you need to wait before washing off the product is about 5...7 minutes, and largely depends on the degree of oldness of the stains. The cleaner has a very thick white foam that easily penetrates into the most inaccessible places, various crevices, and so on. Foam (emulsifier) quickly dissolves contaminants, this can be seen with the naked eye after applying the product. A separate advantage of this cleaner is its large packaging, which has a low price.

Runway Foamy Engine Cleaner is sold in a 650 ml aerosol can. The article number for this package is RW6080. Its price as of the above period is about 250 rubles.

Hi Gear ENGINE SHINE FOAMING DEGREASER

Hi Gear ENGINE SHINE FOAMING DEGREASER foam engine cleaner is popular not only among domestic, but also among foreign car owners. The product contains powerful emulsifiers, the task of which is to dissolve any, even the oldest, stains from oil, fuel, grease, bitumen, and just dirt. Foam applied to the treated surface is easily held even on vertical planes without sliding down. This makes it possible to dissolve dirt even on properly located parts, that is, cleaning complex contaminants. The foam also effectively spreads into hard-to-reach places. The composition of the Hi Gear ENGINE SHINE FOAMING DEGREASER cleaner protects the engine electrical wiring, preventing fire on its elements. Absolutely safe for parts made of plastic or rubber. It can be used not only to treat the engine compartment of a car, but also to clean concrete floors from oil. The latter circumstance suggests that it can be used for cleaning floors in garages, workshops, and so on, instead of an appropriate cleaning agent.

The instructions for the cleaner indicate that before applying it to the surface to be treated, the engine must be warmed up to a temperature of about +50...+60° C, and then turned off. Next, shake the can thoroughly and apply the product. Waiting time - 10...15 minutes. The composition must be washed off with a powerful jet of water (for example, from a Karcher). After washing off, you need to let the engine dry for 15...20 minutes. Short-term exposure of the cleaner to the drive belts of auxiliary units is allowed. However, the cleaner should not be allowed to come into contact with the paintwork of the car body. If this happens, you need to immediately wash it off with water, without rubbing it with a napkin or rag! There is also no need to wipe anything off after this.

High Gear foam engine cleaner is packaged in 454 ml aerosol cans. The article number for this packaging where you can buy it is HG5377. The price of the goods for the above period is about 460 rubles.

Aerosol engine cleaner ASTROhim

The ASTROhim aerosol engine cleaner, judging by reviews from car enthusiasts, has a good thick foam, which, according to the manufacturer, includes a balanced complex of detergent surfactants (abbreviated as surfactants). The foam penetrates into hard-to-reach places, allowing dirt to be removed even there. This helps to remove it not mechanically (manually), but with the help of the mentioned means and water pressure. The instructions indicate that Astrokhim engine cleaner can be used to clean power units not only of cars, but also of motorcycles, boats, garden and agricultural equipment. The cleaner can be used even when the engine is not cooled down. ASTROhim cleaner contains no solvent, so it is absolutely safe for plastic and rubber products.

Real tests and reviews from car enthusiasts who have used ASTROhim engine cleaner at different times show that it is indeed a very effective product that can remove dried stains of dirt, oil, brake fluid, fuel and other contaminants. Moreover, it does this with the help of thick white foam, which penetrates into the micropores of the surfaces being treated and removes dirt from there. Also, one of the many advantages of this composition is the large volume of packaging at its low price.

Astrokhim engine cleaner is sold in various packages. The most common of them is a 520 ml aerosol can. The cylinder article number is AC387. Its price for the specified period is 150 rubles. As for other packaging, a 250 ml spray bottle is sold under item number AC380. The price of the package is 80 rubles. The other packaging is a 500 ml manual trigger spray bottle. The article number for this package is AC385. Its price is 120 rubles. And the largest package is a 650 ml aerosol can. Its article number is AC3876. Its average price is about 160 rubles.

Grass Engine Cleaner

Grass Engine Cleaner is positioned by the manufacturer as a high-quality and inexpensive cleaner of engine elements from dirt, oils, fuel, salt deposits and other contaminants, including old and dried ones. The instructions specifically state that Grass Engine Cleaner can only be used on passenger cars! The product does not contain alkalis (made using a unique alkali-free formula) using organic solvents and a complex of effective surfactants. Thus, it is completely safe for the skin of human hands, as well as for the paintwork of a car. Please note that the package does not sell a ready-to-use product, but its concentrate, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 200 grams per liter of water.

Tests performed on the Grass engine cleaner show that it really does a good job of cleaning the surface of engine parts from oils and dirt. The resulting thick foam dissolves even old stains well. Another significant advantage of this cleaner is its low price, given that the concentrate is sold in the package. Therefore, its acquisition will be a profitable purchase. The only disadvantage of the cleaner is that the packaging is equipped with a manual trigger, which reduces the ease of use, especially if you plan to treat a large engine and/or use a large amount of cleaner for additional treatment of dried dirt stains.

Engine cleaner "Grass" is sold in a bottle equipped with a 500 ml manual trigger sprayer. The article number of such packaging is 116105. Its average price for the period indicated above is about 90 rubles.

Lavr Foam Motor Cleaner

Cleaning the engine compartment Lavr Foam Motor Cleaner is a foam engine cleaner that is designed not only for one-time cleaning of the engine compartment, but also for regular use. It is its constant use that will keep engine parts clean and protect them from the effects of external harmful factors, such as salts and alkalis found in road asphalt in winter, as well as from fuel, brake fluid, dirt, brake pad abrasive, and so on. The cleaner contains thick active foam that can effectively remove even old stains. According to the instructions, after use there is no need for additional brushing, but only rinse with water. After processing, no greasy film remains on the surfaces of the parts. Absolutely safe for engine parts and also prevents the formation of corrosion on metal surfaces.

According to the instructions, before using the product, it is necessary to warm up the engine to operating temperature (medium). Next, you need to cover the air duct and critical electrical parts of the engine (spark plugs, contacts) with plastic film or similar waterproof material. Next, using a manual trigger, apply “Lavr” engine cleaner to the contaminated surfaces to be treated. After this, wait for some time (the instructions indicate a period of 3...5 minutes, but longer time is allowed), after which the formed foam must be washed off with copious amounts of water. To do this, you can use a brush and soap, or you can use a pump. However, in the latter case there is a risk of damage to the said polyethylene film protecting the electrical contacts of the motor.

As for the practical use of the Lavr Foam Motor Cleaner, reviews indicate its average effectiveness. Overall it does a good job of cleaning, but in some cases it was noted that it had difficulty removing stubborn chemical stains. However, it is quite suitable for garage use, and is definitely recommended for purchase by ordinary car owners. It is perfect for cleaning the engine during pre-sale preparation of the car.

Lavr Foam Motor Cleaner, a foam cleaner for the engine compartment, is sold in a 480 ml bottle with a manual trigger sprayer. The article number of this package, according to which you can buy the cleaner in the online store, is Ln1508. The average price of such packaging is 200 rubles.

Foam cleaner Kerry

Kerry is positioned by the manufacturer as a foam cleaner for external engine surfaces. It contains no organic solvents. Instead, it is water-based with the addition of a complex of surfactants. This allows us to assert that the effectiveness of this product is in no way inferior to similar cleaners created on the basis of organic solvents. By the way, the absence of solvents in the Kerry cleaner, firstly, eliminates the sharp unpleasant odor, and secondly, its use is much safer from the point of view of a possible fire. Water-based cleaners are also much more environmentally friendly. They do not harm the environment. They are also safe for human skin. However, if it gets on your skin, it is still better to wash it off with water.

Tests carried out by car enthusiasts show that the effectiveness of the Kerry cleaner is actually rated as average. So, in practice, it copes well with moderately complex mud stains. However, it may not be able to cope with more complex contaminants, including chemical ones. To do this, you need to use more effective products or remove stains mechanically (in particular, using brushes and other similar tools). Therefore, this product is more suitable as a preventative, that is, used regularly to clean the engine, preventing old and dried stains that are difficult to remove from appearing on its parts.

Kerry foam engine cleaner is sold in two different packages. The first is in a 520 ml aerosol can. The article number for purchase in the online store is KR915. The price of such a package is 160 rubles. The second type of packaging is a manual trigger bottle. Its article number is KR515. The price of such packaging is on average 100 rubles.

Fenom Engine Cleaner

Fenom belongs to the category of classic external cleaners, and with its help you can clean parts located in the engine compartment, gearbox and other parts of the car (and not only) that need to be cleaned of oil stains, various process fluids, fuel, and simply dried mud. In accordance with the instructions, before using the Fenom cleaner, it is necessary to warm up the engine to a temperature of about +50°C, and then turn it off. Next, you need to shake the can thoroughly and apply the cleaner to the surfaces to be treated. Waiting time - 15 minutes. After this, you need to rinse off the foam with water. The instructions explicitly state that both working foam and water should not be allowed to enter the engine air intake. Therefore, if possible, it is better to cover it with plastic film or similar waterproof material.

The effectiveness of the Fenom engine cleaner is actually average. It does a good job of removing more or less fresh and simple (non-chemical) stains, but it may not be able to cope with more stubborn stains. In this case, you can try to apply the product two or even three times. However, this, firstly, will lead to overspending, and secondly, it also does not guarantee a positive result. Therefore, the Phenom cleaner can rather be recommended as a preventative agent that needs to be used to treat the surfaces of engine parts in order to prevent the occurrence of areas of severe contamination on them, including those caused by spilling process fluids.

The Phenom engine cleaner is sold in a 520 ml aerosol can. The cylinder article number by which it can be purchased is FN407. The average price of a package is about 180 rubles.

Mannol engine cleaner

Under the Mannol brand, two similar compositions are produced, intended for cleaning the working surfaces of engine parts, transmissions and other vehicle elements. The first is Mannol Motor Cleaner, and the second is Mannol Motor Kaltreiniger. Their compositions are almost identical, and they differ only in packaging. The first is sold in a bottle with a manual trigger, and the second in an aerosol can. The use of funds is traditional. Their only difference is that using an aerosol can to apply the product to the surfaces being treated is easier and faster. The foam of the aerosol product is also a little thicker, and better penetrates hard-to-reach places and pores of engine parts.

Reviews about the Mannol engine cleaner generally indicate that the effectiveness of the product is characterized as average. Similar to the previous means, it can be recommended as a preventative, that is, one that can be used to get rid of only minor contaminants and maintain the cleanliness of engine parts on an ongoing basis. If the stain is old or chemically resistant, then there is a high probability that this cleaner will not cope with the task assigned to it.

External engine cleaning Mannol Motor Cleaner is sold in a 500 ml bottle. The article number of such packaging for online stores is 9973. Its price is 150 rubles. As for the Mannol Motor Kaltreiniger engine cleaning product, it is packaged in 450 ml aerosol cans. The product article number is 9671. Its price for the period indicated above is about 200 rubles.

Foam engine cleaner Abro

Foam cleaner Abro DG-300 is a modern product for removing dirt and deposits on the surface of engine parts in the engine compartment. Can also be used to treat other surfaces that have been previously contaminated with oil, grease, fuel, brake fluid and various other process fluids. The instructions indicate that the product copes with removal quickly and effectively. It is positioned as a cleaner for use in garage conditions, so it is recommended for use by ordinary car owners.

Reviews of the Abro engine cleaner indicate that it copes with its task with average efficiency. In some cases, it is noted that the cleaner has an unpleasant, pungent odor, so you need to work with it in a well-ventilated area or in the fresh air. However, the product is generally recommended as a preventative, for regular use and keeping the engine compartment clean on a regular basis.

The Abro foam engine cleaner is sold in a 510 ml aerosol can. The article number by which it can be purchased is DG300. Its average price is about 350 rubles.

Let us remind you that the list includes only the most popular cleaners mentioned on the Internet. In fact, their number is much larger, and it is constantly increasing due to the fact that various auto chemical manufacturers are re-entering this market. If you have had experience using any engine cleaner, write about it in the comments. This will be of interest to both the editors and car owners.

Conclusion

Using a car engine cleaner will not only ensure that repair work is carried out in relatively clean conditions, but will also be a preventive measure against contamination of the internal parts of the engine parts. In addition, a clean engine minimizes the likelihood of a fire on the surface of parts, and also minimizes the impact of various harmful substances, such as salts and alkalis, which are contained in the anti-icing composition, which is widely used on the roads of megalopolises in the winter season. Well, it goes without saying that it is advisable to use cleaners before selling the car. This will make her look more presentable. Well, the car owner can choose any of the cleaners presented in the above rating.

Useful tips

Before using the detergent, you should carefully read the instructions.
Be sure to first prepare the engine for washing.
If possible, you should first remove dirt from the surface by wiping the engine with a rag.
When washing a car with water, be sure to dry it with a compressor.
Then you need to check the car. If it starts as usual, then everything was done correctly. If the motor stalls or extraneous noise appears, something went wrong during the washing process.

What types of engine cleaning products are there?

To clean the engine from dirt and oil, just water and a regular brush are not enough. There are many special products on the market that can make the cleaning process more effective.

In addition, washing machines capable of delivering a high-pressure jet come to the aid of the car enthusiast, which, however, requires special care.

Experts do not recommend using fuel such as gasoline or kerosene to remove engine oil from an engine. After such cleaning, heating will lead to smoke.

Specialized preparations for cleaning the engine compartment from oil vary in composition and are very effective. The products available on the market are divided into universal ones, which can be used to easily deal with any type of dirt, and highly specialized ones, which are created to eliminate a specific type of dirt or plaque.

Manufacturers provide customers with sprays and liquids, as well as concentrated gels. Household chemicals, which can be found in any home, are not suitable for cleaning engine oil from a power unit: the active chemical substances in its composition, most often acids or alkalis, have a detrimental effect on plastic or rubber elements and provoke oxidation of metal surfaces.

What to use

It is interesting that at many self-service car washes it is prohibited to touch the engine compartment. That’s why it’s not always possible to wash your car here.

Regular car washes offer cleaning services for neglected and dirty engine compartments. The only problem is that basically they simply supply regular water or water mixed with shampoo to the engine under high pressure. By knocking down dirt, at the same time, the integrity of the wiring is often compromised; water penetrates where it should not be.

Even the issue of using a homemade high-pressure washer has certain complaints, if we talk specifically about cleaning the engine compartment.

Therefore, it is logical to ask what exactly can and should be used. Let's consider several options:

Bucket of water and brush
. Relatively safe, but ineffective. This method will be very difficult to clean the motor if it is really dirty;
Water and high pressure
. This is a risk of causing mechanical damage to wiring, gaskets, etc. It gives a quick effect and good results. But it's better not to take risks;
Diesel, gasoline and kerosene
. They serve as solvents for dirt. You should absolutely refuse gasoline. It is the most flammable. Kerosene and diesel are less dangerous, but when processing heating engine elements they can cause smoke;
Steam
. But steam washing is quite effective and relatively safe. We have already talked about it separately;
Special means
. Shampoos and car chemicals are available for sale, the task of which is precisely to clean the engine compartment. Many of them are really effective;
Household chemicals
. It is often used as a homemade product for cleaning internal combustion engines at home. When used correctly it gives excellent results.

Even if the block is entirely aluminum, rust is not the only major problem if the compartment is not washed properly.

Yes, the easiest way to bring it to perfect condition is with a removed engine. But no one will resort to such things for the sake of washing.

It's better not to wash

By no means is your intelligence questioned, but there are some products that, for unknown reasons, are also used to wash the engine. We are talking about fuel, diesel and gasoline. Washing an engine with diesel is a completely safe task, but completely pointless, since the task is to get rid of oil and other substances, and not to smear everything that can be smeared in them. As for washing with gasoline, this is playing with fire, in the literal sense of the expression: an arbitrary discharge of static electricity will most likely lead to a fire. After this, the engine compartment, or more precisely, what remains of it, will also need to be washed to remove carbon deposits.

How to properly clean a car engine

To obtain the expected result, it is necessary to clean the motor surface in the following sequence:

Before starting work, it is necessary that the unit has cooled down to operating temperatures. Neglecting this requirement may cause deformation of the heated cylinder head when using sufficiently cold water.
It is removed from the battery using a key. On vehicles with a hybrid powertrain, the specific location of the battery must be taken into account.
After this, all elements located in the engine compartment (air intake, various sensors) should be protected from moisture. To do this, you need to use polyethylene as well as foil. If such work is done poorly or not done at all, then there is a guaranteed entry of water into the air duct. This will lead to quite serious damage to the internal combustion engine.
The detergent is applied evenly over the entire surface of the car.
The process of washing a car engine begins with slightly wetting the surface with warm water. After this, using a sponge or thick cloth, begin to wipe the contaminated surfaces. If some places are easy to reach, then it is advisable to use a brush or brush.
It is not always possible to immediately clean the engine from oil and dirt using improvised means. If there are old oil stains on the engine body, then to remove them you need to use an ordinary toothbrush. After all, if it was not possible to immediately remove the oil stain, you need to use a more radical remedy. We are talking about using kerosene, but only for cleaning metal parts. After all, it is well known that using this substance on plastic and painted surfaces is extremely risky.

Drying

Drying the car engine is carried out after completion of all cleaning work. To do this, use a dry rag or towel to wipe the surface dry.

If, during the wiping process, places on the battery contacts were found that showed signs of corrosion, then a solution of water and baking soda should be used to stop and localize this negative process. It is very important that the above ingredients in the solution are in a 1:1 ratio.

Preparing to wash a car engine

Before washing the engine, you need to close all sensors, relays and other devices that are harmful to water. Aluminum foil is perfect for this. It disguises the elements under the hood and stays in place well. The foil takes the shape of the parts wrapped in it and does not interfere with the laundering process.
You need to spray regular clean water on the parts around the engine compartment. This will make it easier to wash off the cleaner from adjacent areas that may get there when washing the engine. If this is not done, the dried product will leave traces that will be difficult to wash off.
Do not wash a hot engine. It is better to wash it after it has completely cooled. To soften the oil and dirt accumulated on the engine, it is better to warm it up for several minutes until it becomes warm.

Engine washing procedure

Before you figure out how to properly wash a car engine, you must first prepare it for this procedure:

Disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery.
Disassembling the engine protection.
Protecting wires and sensors with film. You need to wrap them tightly and secure everything, if possible, with tape. It is recommended to treat with water-repellent substances. This will help avoid unexpected damage due to liquid penetration there.
Disconnecting all parts that interfere with free access to the internal combustion engine.

So how can you clean the car’s engine compartment from dirt on your own? Let's consider this issue depending on the funds that will be used.

How to properly wash an engine using an aerosol:

Apply the substance evenly to the internal combustion engine.
We wait for some time, about 5-10 minutes.
Using microfiber or a soft cloth, clean the motor.

How to properly and carefully wash a car engine with water yourself:

Cool the internal combustion engine to 50 degrees. We perform mechanical cleaning of the treated surface. We apply chemicals. We wait 10-15 minutes. Pour water over it or treat it with a Karcher

When washing this way, it is important not to bring the sprayer closer than 50 cm.

We recommend

DOCKER MAZBIT TURBO is a concentrated industrial cleaner for all types of heavy contaminants. Designed for effective quick cleaning of any surfaces: parts, components, mechanisms, plastics, general construction materials (concrete, stone, tiles, asphalt) from various oil-fat and petroleum contaminants, fuels and lubricants, lubricants, graphite, fuel oil, oil. Has no smell. No acid.

More details

How to remove machine oil from the floor

Why you need to wash your engine carefully

Trying to keep your car clean can lead to its failure. Many engine components are susceptible to moisture, and if you start cleaning them without proper knowledge, this can have the following consequences:

Failure of electrical equipment, up to a short circuit;
Damage to expensive units, such as a generator;
Machine fire due to use of incorrect cleaning products.

Modern cars are “stuffed” with electronics, which can cause problems due to water getting on them. A number of units run the risk of not being able to withstand a strong jet of water, and choosing the wrong cleaning agents (for example, gasoline) can lead to a fire.

Precautionary measures

Respiratory and hand skin protection is required. Chemical cleaning products can provoke allergic reactions and inflammatory processes. In addition, oil stains are difficult to remove.

Therefore, work clothes and gloves, sleeves become an important part of the work process. To protect your eyes, it is recommended to use splash-proof goggles.