{"id":97642,"date":"2023-12-02T07:50:46","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T15:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=97642"},"modified":"2025-05-09T08:12:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T15:12:23","slug":"how-to-clean-the-engine-bay-dos-donts-and-faqs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-the-engine-bay-dos-donts-and-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean the Engine Bay: Dos, Don&#8217;ts, and FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_1198a2-cf inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-539622  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-c154b5\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading97642_32566d-bc\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Before cleaning the engine bay, wear protective gear and take a picture for reference. Also, protect electric parts, clean components carefully, and use appropriate cleaning agents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&rsquo;t use a pressure washer and foaming degreaser when cleaning the engine bay to avoid damaging its parts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While some might not believe engine cleaning is necessary, an engine flush still offers several benefits that can make it worth your time. An engine flush can enhance engine performance, improve fuel economy, and reduce carbon emissions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The engine houses your ride&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/battery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"battery\">battery<\/a>, engine, transmission, and other critical components that keep your vehicle running. If the engine bay is dirty, these parts might not perform efficiently, so make cleaning it part of your regular maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does Cleaning the Engine Bay Entail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cleaning the engine bay involves removing the accumulated dirt, grime, and debris in it. If you&rsquo;re doing it on your own, get quality engine bay cleaners. Prepare brushes and towels as well to scrub and wipe away dirt and grease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engine bay cleaning also involves cleaning the area around the battery, so you must <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-battery-located\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"disconnect your battery\">disconnect your battery<\/a> and remove it before proceeding.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_a4bd3f-24 kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id97642_e53cfc-44 alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_446d35-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_446d35-bd kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab .image-is-svg, .kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image97642_b0abfc-ab\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_01ef35-12 inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            Brake parts cleaner works well for this but don&rsquo;t have the engine running when you spray the cleaner. Try to get non-flammable brake parts cleaner. You&rsquo;ll probably need several cans. Don&rsquo;t use flammable BPC.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Do (and What Not to Do) When Cleaning Your Engine Bay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"cleaning of automotive engine bay\" class=\"wp-image-97855\" style=\"width:1024px;height:684px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cleaning-of-automotive-engine-bay.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cleaning the engine bay involves removing the accumulated dirt, grime, and debris in it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can always let a professional clean your engine bay for you. However, if you&rsquo;d like to do it on your own and save on the service fee, make sure you know these dos and don&rsquo;ts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do&rsquo;s<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wear Protective Gear<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Always prioritize your health and safety when doing any maintenance task. Wear a protective mask, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/gloves\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"gloves\">gloves<\/a>, and eyewear when cleaning your engine because you might come in contact with harmful chemicals and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take Pictures Before Starting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Cleaning the engine bay involves removing, unplugging, or dismantling parts. If you&rsquo;re not familiar with their arrangement, you might have trouble returning them.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_214573-76{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_214573-76 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_214573-76 kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id97642_72d4b7-9d alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_99182a-24 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_99182a-24 kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd .image-is-svg, .kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image97642_dca7d0-cd\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_6c624c-e0 inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            Most people (like car dealer detailers) don&rsquo;t disconnect anything, so it&rsquo;s not always necessary unless there is some serious buildup under something you&rsquo;re removing.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>So before cleaning your engine, and if you do decide to disconnect hoses and wiring, take a picture using your phone. It will give you a great reference for when you need to return the components you removed. Take photos from different angles and, if you want to ensure you don&rsquo;t forget anything, get shots every time you remove something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protect Electrical Components<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You&rsquo;re going to use water and cleaning agents, which is bad for electrical components. While most parts have some kind of protective covering that keeps water and other contaminants out, it never hurts to take extra measures to secure them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cover exposed electrical parts with plastic bags. Secure them with zip ties to keep moisture from coming in contact with the component.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_aa6dec-1e kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id97642_ce0d91-82 alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_dd278c-ea kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image97642_c71da4-01.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image97642_c71da4-01 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image97642_c71da4-01.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image97642_c71da4-01 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image97642_c71da4-01 figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image97642_c71da4-01 .image-is-svg, .kb-image97642_c71da4-01 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image97642_c71da4-01 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image97642_c71da4-01\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column97642_7dcdac-0e inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            This isn&rsquo;t necessary if you&rsquo;re using the non-flammable brake parts cleaner but don&rsquo;t hit the connectors with a lot of high liquid pressure no matter what you&rsquo;re using because you don&rsquo;t want the liquid trapped in the connector where it might cause issues for the circuits. Most under-hood connectors are weatherproof, meaning, they have rubber seals.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clean Components Carefully<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&rsquo;t use excessive force when scrubbing or wiping your engine parts. Some are extra sensitive to friction, so you must be careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research how to clean each <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/car-engine-parts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"engine part\">engine part<\/a>. Is washing and scrubbing a certain component fine or should you only wipe it down? Can you dismantle it to clean its hard-to-reach spots? Knowing these details will go a long way in preventing problems down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use the Correct Cleaning Agents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Invest in high-quality engine cleaners. Before buying one, double-check its label. Make sure it&rsquo;s safe to use for engine bay cleaning and that there are no chemicals that can damage the parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clean Your Engine Bay When The Weather Is Warm<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Do it when the temperature is a bit high so that the engine parts that got wet during cleaning will dry quickly. Don&rsquo;t forget to hydrate as you work and to take breaks if the weather gets too hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check for Leaks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>After cleaning the engine, make sure to let it run for a few minutes. This will allow the fresh oil to circulate and give you time to check for leaks and other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"article-search-widget\">\n<div class=\"cp-search\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/w_auto,dpr_auto\/carparts\/logos\/badge_wordmark\/full_color\/CP_LOGO_COLOUR_RGB\" alt=\"CarParts.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"56\">\n<\/div>\n<form id=\"cpsearchform\" name=\"cpsearchform\" action=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/search\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\" accept-charset=\"character_set\" aria-label=\"search CarParts.com\">\n    <input type=\"text\" class=\"keyword\" name=\"q\" placeholder=\"Search for parts on CarParts.com\" value=\"\" aria-label=\"Search CarParts.com\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn-search\" value=\"Search\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don&rsquo;ts (Advising Against)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use a Pressure Washer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Note:<\/strong> If you&rsquo;re wrench smart and are prepared to deal with the issues that might result from using a pressure washer, it&rsquo;s okay. If your vehicle has a distributor you&rsquo;ll probably need to remove the distributor cap and use WD-40 to displace the water if cleaning the engine with water pressure causes an ignition related no-start.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But a pressure washer can, if used indiscriminately under the hood, forces water into even the weather-proof connectors and you can wind up with all manner of driveability issues, no-starts, etc. because of water in the connectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So although it can be tempting, try to avoid using a pressure washer to clean your engine bay. While it&rsquo;ll make grime removal easier, the pressure can loosen up the fittings and connections in your engine bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use a regular low-pressure garden hose instead. You can also use wet rags or spray bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use a Foaming Degreaser<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A foaming degreaser can remove grease fast, but if you don&rsquo;t rinse it off thoroughly, it can cause corrosion in the engine bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use a rag to remove grease instead. If you need to use a degreaser, stick to basic ones&mdash;those that are also used for the kitchen. You can also use a soft bristle brush to scrub off stubborn stains, but be careful not to damage the parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clean Your Engine While It&rsquo;s Still Hot<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Wait for your engine to cool down before cleaning it, as certain cleaning solutions react to high temperatures. Plus, you can get burns if you touch hot parts, so it&rsquo;s better to pop the hood open and let your engine cool down before cleaning it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Engine Bay Cleaning Necessary?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Cleaning your engine bay removes dirt or grime, preventing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-stop-rust-on-a-car-the-easy-way\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"rust\">rust<\/a> and corrosion and prolonging the life of your engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While some might not believe engine cleaning is necessary, an engine flush offers several benefits that can make it worth your time. An engine flush can enhance engine performance, improve fuel economy, and reduce carbon emissions. A clean engine also means reduced deposits, allowing engine oil to flow freely and lubricate engine components better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, a clean engine helps keep your car&rsquo;s value high. Potential buyers look at a clean engine bay as a sign that you took good care of the vehicle. So if you&rsquo;re planning to sell your vehicle, it&rsquo;s a good idea to keep yours clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Often Should I Clean the Engine Bay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There&rsquo;s no set rule as to when you should clean your engine bay. It usually depends on where you live and your driving habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, it&rsquo;s best to clean your vehicle&rsquo;s engine bay every two to three months if you live in areas with low annual rainfall. These areas often have dusty conditions on the road due to minimal precipitation. West Texas, Utah, and some parts of Nevada, for instance, are known to have arid climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If extensive rainfall and snow are common in your area, it&rsquo;s best to clean your engine bay every two to three months. But if you live in a city where there&rsquo;s little to no debris on most roads, cleaning your engine bay twice a year will do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Will I Have to Pay for an Engine Bay Cleaning Service?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don&rsquo;t like to go through all the hassle of cleaning your engine bay, you can always pay a professional to do it for you. Expect to shell out anywhere between $100 and $400 for an engine steam cleaning service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engine steam cleaning involves using high-pressure steam to remove dirt and grime from critical components in your engine. Only professionals do it because they&rsquo;re specially trained to do it without damaging sensitive engine parts.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>The engine houses your ride&rsquo;s battery, engine, transmission, and other critical components that keep your vehicle running. If the engine&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-the-engine-bay-dos-donts-and-faqs\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":97854,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3747],"tags":[73,4011],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-97642","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-engine","9":"tag-battery","10":"tag-gloves","11":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Clean the Engine Bay: Dos, Don&#039;ts, and FAQs - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is a popular SUV with an impressive max speed, horsepower, and other engine specs you can learn about here.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-the-engine-bay-dos-donts-and-faqs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Clean the Engine Bay: Dos, Don&#039;ts, and FAQs - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is a popular SUV with an impressive max speed, horsepower, and other engine specs you can learn about here.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-the-engine-bay-dos-donts-and-faqs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-12-02T15:50:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-09T15:12:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/man-cleans-car-automotive-engine-bay.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1333\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-clean-the-engine-bay-dos-donts-and-faqs\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-clean-the-engine-bay-dos-donts-and-faqs\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust."},{"term_id":2985,"user_id":1646,"is_guest":0,"slug":"richardmccuistian","display_name":"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png"},"author_category":"","user_url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/","last_name":"McCuistian","first_name":"Richard","job_title":"ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","description":"<div class=\"auth-social-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-mccuistian-2681891b\/\" class=\"btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"linkedin\" aria-labelledby=\"linkedin\">LinkedIn<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/McCuistian\" class=\"btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"instagram\" aria-labelledby=\"instagram\">Youtube<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\nRichard McCuistian grew up in Alabama learning from his father who ran an automotive repair shop. Richard has worked for nearly 50 years in the automotive field as a professional technician, an instructor, a freelance automotive writer for Motor Age, ACtion magazine, Power Stroke Registry, and others (published every year since May 2000). He has developed training courses and written or edited training material for companies in the U.S. Canada, and the Netherlands, and even Bulgaria. He maintained an \u201cask a mechanic\u201d website for 10 years answering questions emailed to him from all over the world.\r\n\r\nRichard has an instructional automotive YouTube channel \u201cMcCuistian\u201d with 13,500 subscribers and over 1,300 videos. Much of his professional work requires photography and videography in shop environments, but Richard also enjoys taking pictures of landscapes, skyscapes, old barns and houses, small towns. He has produced a coffee table book of digital watercolors called \u201cMemories of South Alabama\u201d created from his personal photos, along with a dozen Christian fiction short original novels and a collection of short stories, all available in Kindle or softcover format. Richard has written a 2,500-word Bible study every week for the past 20 years and uses it to teach a small group at his church every Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n<strong>Credentials:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"author-list\">\r\n<li><p>ASE Certified for more than 30 years in 10 categories, including L1 Advanced Engine Performance and Light Vehicle Diesel.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Professional Mechanic\/Technician for 25 years with experience on diesel and gasoline engines, vehicles and equipment (including hydraulics).<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Spent 5 years in fleet maintenance, 20 years in independent shops and dealerships (VW, Mazda, Renault, Jeep, Ford, Lincoln), specializing in driveability and electronics for the last 14 years of his career at the same dealership.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Senior Contributing Editor at Motor Age Magazine, first published in Motor Age in May of 2000 and every year since. He has won two International Automotive Media Awards for technical articles published in trade magazines.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Has attended hundreds of hours of automotive training from OEMs including GM, Volkswagen, Mazda, Renault, Jeep, Chrysler, as well as additional training at events like KC Vision and MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems Association).<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Taught college level auto mechanics for 19 years.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Has written for automotive training companies (including course development work for training companies in Canada and the Netherlands) and has been hired to teach professional trade show technician courses at multiple training events in Texas and Alabama.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>While still teaching at the college level, Richard launched a new automotive program in Geneva, Alabama, setting up a dual enrollment department in a new building, organizing the shop and classroom, teaching morning classes to high school students for 2 years while still teaching at the college in the afternoon.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Richard\u2019s college program at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College worked at professional shop speed during his tenure to prepare graduates for production level work in the real world.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97642"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97642\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97642"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=97642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}