An engine block is a critical component of a car’s design that houses the crankcase and its components, such as gaskets, valves, and seals. It is a strong, durable, and heavy machinery composed of cast iron or aluminum alloy.

The primary advantage of engine block cleaning is that it enhances the appearance of your engine. Cleaning your car’s engine won’t inherently increase performance, but it could help identify problems such as oil leaks and thus minimize the likelihood of costly and time-consuming engine repairs.

You may use engine block cleaning to inspect the condition of different rubber hoses and plastic parts and remove debris as needed. Cleaning also keeps animals like mice out, which can harm components and electrical systems and store flammable materials in their nesting areas.

To ensure you enjoy these benefits, here is a step-by-step guide on the way to clean an engine block.

Before you begin, it’s best to do this cleaning on a warm day as it’ll help the engine dry quicker. Also, for safety reasons, if your car was running, flip the hood and let it cool for about 15 minutes before you begin. Now let’s get started.

DIY Engine Block Cleaning Step by Step

1. Take out the Battery Cables

Take the battery cables out. Disconnect the negative cable first, then remove and set aside the positive cable. If the electrical components become wet, doing this will prevent them from being affected. If you want to, you may also remove the battery, but it isn’t necessary.

Remove any plastic coverings from beneath the hood as well. Again, you can clean these separately.

2. Cover Sensitive Electrical Parts

Some parts, especially electrical components, are susceptible to water damage. Covering these parts with plastic bags or other waterproof material before cleaning will provide additional safety and prevent unexpected damage. Components you should cover include ignition coils, plug wires, and the fuse box.

Covering these components gives you leeway to thoroughly clean your engine without the worry of inadvertently damaging anything. However, if you’re confident you can keep these components from getting overly soaked, then you may skip covering them. 

3. Remove Loose Dirt

Blow out any loose dirt using compressed air. A shop vacuum cleaner will also work if you have a little hose extension that can reach tight spots.

4. Spray Degreaser

Spray washers are ideal for cleaning exterior surfaces and any exposed internal surfaces that the jet stream may reach. Spray degreaser all over the engine block.

Try to keep your distance from any exposed electrical components, non-residue dry brake cleaner can clean them.

Any home degreaser will work, whether a kitchen cleaner or an engine degreaser explicitly designed for engines. However, we recommend Simple Green because it is both effective and environmentally friendly. Dilute with water according to the instructions.

All oils, debris, and grease must be exhaustively removed from the engine block. Then, clean off any remaining dirt with a brush or scraper.

5. Scrub

You may not need to brush your engine if it isn’t too dirty. However, other parts, such as the valve cover, may be drenched with years of oil and debris. A little brush with synthetic bristles will work in hand with the degreaser and help remove the dirt. If necessary, add more degreaser.

To keep the degreaser from hurting your eyes, wear eye protection when cleaning the block.

6. Rinse

Working from back to front, rinse the whole compartment to remove any degreaser. Avoid spraying electrical components directly, and avoid spraying a lot of water into places that won’t dry quickly.

When washing the engine block, try not to use a forceful pipe since it may puncture the plastic or dislodge the engine’s loose wiring. You may use a power washer on a low setting if you have one, but a regular hose will suffice. An ordinary pipe with nozzles will effectively clean the block and remove debris, filth, or oil.

7. Dry

To dry the engine, you can blast compressed air into the crevices to clear extra water. If you don’t have compressed air, use a shop towel or cloth to wipe off as much as you can reach. This will not only remove the water but will also assist in the removal of any leftover dirt.

8. Check for Leaks

Please make sure there are no leaks from the engine after it has been cleaned. Examine the engine block for oil leaks, coolant leaks, or any other exterior leaks. A simple technique to check for oil leaks is to use a unique UV dye. The dye is available at NAPA for less than $5 a bottle. Apply the oil-specific dye right into the oil fill. 

To identify any leaks, use the blue lens on your Mini-Mag flashlight. The dye will glow, revealing the source of the leak. This should be done in the shade, away from direct sunshine. 

Start the engine and drive it around until the dye circulates and the system reaches normal operating temperature.

9. Replace removed or covered components

Reattach the negative cable to the battery and remove the bags protecting the electrical components.

10. Let the engine run for a few minutes

Allow the engine to run idle for about 10-15 minutes until the engine returns to normal temperature. If you notice a weird noise through your stereo, here’s how to you get rid of engine noise in-car stereo.

Conclusion

Follow our instructions carefully because a mistake could cause damage to the engine block. You should clean your engine block about twice a year if you live in a city with relatively clean roads. However, if you live in a dry climate where vast amounts of dust can build up in your engine block, you should clean it every three months. Alternatively, if you live in a region with a lot of rain or snow, cleaning the engine block every two months might well be advantageous.

The key to keeping this process easy is to avoid letting your engine block get overly dirty. 

If you suspect your car engine isn’t working right, here’s how to tell if your car’s engine is blown.