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OUR BLOG

10/31/2020
When it comes to giving maintenance to your vehicle, washing your car is vital. One aspect many people forget is to give their engine a good clean. If you want to learn some steps to clean your engine, read this article that Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer in Portland, OR, has for you.

Have you ever cleaned your engine? Having a clean and shiny car is surely one of the best feelings. However, do you ever clean your engine? The best way to ensure your vehicle has a long lifespan is by giving it frequent maintenance. Luckily, there are maintenance tasks you can do by yourself. Cleaning your engine is one of them. Learn more about this topic and the steps you should follow to have a clean engine by reading this article by Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer.

Cool the Engine

In order to clean your engine, it needs to have the right temperature. If your vehicle was previously running, open up the hood and let it cool down for about 20 minutes. This is essential as working with a hot engine can lead you to get injured. Also, spraying hot engine parts with cool water can lead them to get damaged due to rapid contraction. Later down the process, you will need to cover several components with plastic. Doing so with a hot engine can lead the plastic to melt.

Remove Plastic Cover

Remove any plastic cover. This is to ensure you are able to reach even the hard to reach places of your engine. Now, decide what you want to do with your battery. Some people like to remove the battery before they start to clean. However, you can skip this step. You can perfectly clean your engine without removing the battery. Nonetheless, you need to remove the battery's negative terminal to avoid damaging any electrical component.

If you have any questions on how to give your vehicle maintenance, speak with a professional at Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer. Learn about amazing products like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. For information on the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Portland, OR, call (503) 329-9004.

Cover Electrical Components

For this step, you will need small plastic bags. Cover any sensitive electrical components with the bags. Some of the elements you should focus on are the spark plugs, the exposed air take under the hood, the ignition wires, the engine unit, the battery, etc. Many people like to skip this step and instead be extra careful not to spray water over these elements. However, we recommend not to skip this step as it will keep the electrical components safe.

Degrease the Engine

To decrease your engine, start by choosing the product you will be using. You can buy a purpose-made engine degreaser or use a household degreaser. Using a kitchen cleaner can allow you to clean your engine perfectly. Spray degreaser all over the engine compartment. Start from the top and work your way down to the bottom. Make sure to reach all nooks and hard to reach places. Avoid spraying your pain, as degreaser tends to remove the shine from automotive parts.

For more advice on how to clean your engine, speak with an expert at Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer. Learn about amazing AMSOIL products for your engine and about the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Portland, OR, by visiting the online store or calling (503) 329-9004 today.

Scrub off the Dirt

Now it’s time to scrub all the dirt your engine has. The best way to do so is to use a small brush with synthetic bristles. Target any area that has dirt, grime, caked-on oil, oil deposits, etc. This should be an easy thing to do thanks to the degreaser. However, if you notice grime or dirt that won’t come off, spray more degreaser on. We recommend to were eye gear and gloves to avoid prolonged contact with the degreaser on your skin.

Rinse the Engine

After scrubbing the engine, take a normal power hose and start rinsing. Avoid using a high-pressure hose to rinse as doing so can lead the water to penetrate the plastic you used to cover the sensitive electrical components. Rinse from the back and slowly work your way to the front. Ensure to rinse even the hard to reach places and avoid leaving any traces of dirt. If you notice any dirt left, spray more degreaser, and repeat the process.

Dry the Engine

It’s time to dry your engine. Taking a rag or towel and start wiping everything dry. Otherwise, use compressed air if it’s available to you. Ensure to reach all nooks and hard to reach places of your engine. If you notice any dirt or grime left, make sure to wipe it off completely.

Keep Your Engine Protected by Giving It a Synthetic Oil Change in Portland, OR

Speak with a professional at Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer and learn about products to protect your engine like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. For information on the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Portland, OR, visit the online store or call (503) 329-9004 today.