Washing the engine compartment is quite an ordinary event, and there is nothing harmful in it if you follow certain rules. Even though the official manuals of automakers do not provide this procedure, it does not pose a danger. All components and assemblies located in the engine compartment, including electrical and electronics, are sufficiently protected from penetrating moisture because thick wet fog and abundant splashes of water are normal when driving a car in rain and slush. If washing the motor was dangerous, we would regularly encounter countless malfunctions from ordinary driving in rain. However, this, fortunately, does not happen. What does a typical engine compartment wash look like?
Car Engine Washing Methods
There are several methods of cleaning the engine, depending on the tools and equipment used:
Washing with a help of an auto detail steam cleaner
A steam machine for car detailing generates the dry steam that is heated over 150°C under a pressure of 7-10 bars. In addition to effective cleaning, this method also eliminates moisture residues. The downside is the high cost. Steam cleaning with a professional car detailing steamer by Fortador should only be performed by qualified personnel because working with hot steam is unsafe. Still, many motorists purchase auto detailing steamers for domestic purposes, i.e., cleaning their vehicles at home themselves.
High-pressure washing
It is important to know that, unlike body washing, high pressure is limited to a maximum of 100 bars here. The advantage of the method is its availability and high efficiency. The minus is that the pressure of water can damage the internal parts and the electrical components.
Chemical cleaning
The essence of the method consists of applying a foamy cleaning agent to the surface of the engine compartment, either from an arsenal of special products offered by stores, or made independently on the basis of household chemicals. The engine compartment is covered with foam and, after a certain period of time, washed off with water.
Dry cleaning
The method is similar to the previous one, with the only difference that chemicals, which do not need to be washed off, are applied to the engine, and then removed with napkins or rags.
In Conclusion
The easiest way to wash your motor is to visit a professional car wash. On a clean and dry engine, all the problems can be detected at the earliest stage and eliminated in time, without waiting for the expensive repair. Do not be afraid and suspect all car wash employees of unprofessionalism. Usually, they know what they are doing, especially where they specialize in washing with a steam cleaner for cars. However, if for some reason you cannot or do not want to use their services, you can wash the engine yourself. The main thing is to thoroughly prepare for this.