Allow the degreaser to set for about three to five minutes and then use a 100% cotton towel or a soft brush to start removing the heavily soiled areas. This will dry the rest of the engine and will evaporate any moisture that has collected. There are many reasons for doing this, including the low-temperature drying equipment helping prevent rust, to check for oil or fluid leaks and to detect belt wear.. To soften the grease and grunge that collects in the engine compartment you should start the engine and let it run for a few minutes and then shut it off. Once everything is dry and completely cooled you should wax the painted areas of the engine compartment, but not the engine. If the undercoated aluminum areas are dull or have whitish corrosion you can use a mild metal polish to help restore the finish. You then dry any puddles and aluminum parts with a soft towel. While the engine is cooling down you will want to cover the openings on the motor that you do not want to get water in. Then you should check all hinges, throttle cables and shocks to see if they need a thin coating of non silicone lubricant. The proper temperature for cleaning the engine is warm but not hot. These include the air intake/ air filter, the distributor, the coil and the oil dip stick/breather. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the battery. You can use baggies and rubber bands to cover the openings. You should start at the bottom and work up, that way you won't be getting your face covered with degreaser. You also want to check the tightness of the oil filter cap, power steering cap, windshield washer fluid cap, battery filler caps and all other caps. At this time you should check the battery terminals to make sure they are clean. Once the engine compartment is clean you can remove the plastic bags and rubber bands. If they are not clean you can disconnect the cables and clean both the cable terminals and the battery posts with a wire brush.Car Care Tips On Washing Your Engine Besides keeping the outside of your vehicle looking like brand new you also want to make sure you periodically clean the engine compartment. Then check all fluid levels and remove any stray baggies and you have completed cleaning your engine. Now that you have the engine warm and everything is sealed you then spray the engine and engine compartment with a high quality non petroleum based degreaser. Once the entire engine and engine compartment have been cleaned you rinse it thoroughly with water. You don't have to use a high pressure sprayer a gentle spray will work just as well and you won't have to worry about getting water in sensitive spots. If you can just hold your hand on engine without burning, then it is warm enough to clean. You now start the engine and allow it to warm up. You then re-spray and re-brush any areas that need additional cleaning.
