Cleaning your car engine is essential to its regular maintenance. Like any other machine, your car's engine and its engine compartment work better when they're clean. A clean engine can also add to the value of your car when it comes to selling it and undoubtedly makes servicing easier. Listed below are steps to follow on how to clean your car's motor and its engine compartment.
The first step is to get rid of the excess debris that gets trapped in your hood, grille and vent openings. This is particularly true if you live in an area with four seasons. If you have compressed air available, this is the best way to remove old leaves, dust and such. If you don't have one, a simple hand brush will suffice.
Warm the engine up and allow to cool a little. It should be warm to the touch, but should not be too hot that when spraying water on the exhaust that would cause steam. This will help soften grease buildup in the engine compartment.
Remove the terminal cables on the battery. If the cables have any buildup, you can clean them with your cleaning solution and a small wire brush.
Cover any exposed electrical components with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. This will prevent the electrical components of the car from being exposed to water.
Cover the breather or air intake and carburetor on older engines with heavy aluminum foil or plastic. You may choose to tape or tie this in place, since water can cause serious problems if allowed into this area.
Thoroughly spray the engine compartment with an engine cleaner, avoiding the wiring you bagged and taped. Since petroleum cleaners can damage rubber and vinyl components, consider a citrus or water-based degreaser. For parts that seem extremely oily or greasy, let the cleaner soak in for 15-30 minutes and repeat if needed.
Carefully rinse off the engine and other parts with clean water. Do not get water into your engine. This can result in extensive damage and costly repairs!
Let your engine dry. Do not turn your car on! After the engine has dried, you can remove all plastic covers that you used. Put the terminals back onto the car battery.
Car Safety Tips for Women Driving Alone
Women drivers are at risk when driving on their own, especially at night. Women who drive alone, no matter if it's at night or in the day, need to take a few extra precautions. If you drive alone on a regular basis, it's important that you follow these tips for keeping yourself safe.
The Three Basic Methods of Car Pinstriping
Car pinstriping is one of the best ways to make your vehicle very unique. Pinstriping has been used commercially since the 1800s, and is a definitive style for the decoration of style. Pinstriping can be as plain or as fancy as your patience and level of skill allows.
How Long Will Your Car Last?
The life of a car varies according to several factors, and increasing it is achievable, if proper care is practiced. Understanding the factors that affect its life is beneficial for people who are planning to get a car of their own. Proper knowledge of cars is like putting your money to good use. With that, below are some tips about car life expectancy.
