Why is it Important to Clean and Degrease your Engine Bay?
A dirty engine bay doesn’t mean the end of the world, and how often do you really peek under your bonnet anyway? The thing is, although a little dirt or spilt oil won’t usually do much harm, leaving your engine and engine bay grubby and greasy can cause dramas later on. It can make it hard to spot oil leaks or damage that can accrue when you tackle outdoor adventures in your 4×4. Worse still, it increases the risk of engine bay fires – particularly when oil and other flammable fluids are left to cover exhaust manifolds and the like. Another great reason to wash your engine bay is in preparation for any work you or someone else doing any mechanical or modification work on your vehicle. It is far easier to diagnose faults, replace components or generally work on or under a clean vehicle.
What Gear should you Use to Degrease your Engine Bay?
4×4 Camping and Adventure recommends grabbing a decent brush – the one he uses is actually designed for cleaning interior and upholstery components, but thanks to its long, soft bristles it seems to work better as an engine bay brush. (Note that there’s a wide range of brushes available at Euro Team Performance, so picking one that can readily reach into all the nooks and crannies under your bonnet should be no trouble at all.) Grab a few cans of degreaser, your garden hose, and depending on how confident you are with your hose, it might be worthwhile to use a bag or a few rags to block off or cover up your intake.