Today, many drivers ask themselves the question, which tool is best for washing the engine and how often can it be used? On the shelves of specialized stores you can find everything that is required. However, not all formulations are effective. But you must wash the engine, as this is the heart of the car. It needs proper care.
The opinion of experts
At the moment, the opinions of experts on how often and how to wash the engine of a vehicle differ widely. Some are sure that the procedure should be carried out only once a year, and others - once every several years. However, all experts say that you need to wash the engine. In this case, it is advisable to use special tools. After all, road reagents that settle in the engine compartment adversely affect the operation of the vehicle.
In addition, a contaminated unit is prone to overheating much more often than a clean one. After all, a layer of accumulated dirt simply reduces heat transfer. Of course, due to the accelerated wear of all parts, it significantly reduces the working life of the motor. Oily spots, according to experts, increase the risk of fire, and also badly affect the wiring. It is worth considering that a contaminated engine is more difficult to maintain. And when selling a vehicle, this condition of the engine simply scares off buyers.
Can I use homemade products
Ordinary household chemicals can greatly damage the motor. That is why only special substances should be used to wash the unit. If there is no desire to spend money on funds for a car, then you can make the necessary composition yourself. This will take a little time.
So, how to make a car engine cleaner . It is enough to dilute ordinary washing powder or dishwashing gel in water. It is worth considering that such formulations do not allow to achieve the desired result. And the time for washing will take much more.
In the process of preparing a means for washing the engine, it is worth abandoning components that are flammable, such as gasoline or kerosene. It is not safe. If such substances are not completely removed, there is a risk of ignition of the power unit during operation of the vehicle. Therefore, experts do not recommend saving on a car and buying special compounds to wash the engine.
Types of chemicals for transport
Means for washing the engine are of several types:
- Universal. This composition is suitable for removing many types of contamination.
- Specialized. This tool fights against pollution of a certain type.
Similar compounds are sold in various containers, for example:
- In glass containers.
- Spray cans.
- Vials are plastic.
The last two types are considered the safest and most comfortable. The concentrated gel allows you to prepare a solution of the required concentration, which is proportional to the degree of contamination of the motor. To choose a good tool for washing the engine, you should carefully study the composition, as well as pay attention to the name of the company that manufactured the product. You should not buy chemistry of unknown brands.
Some nuances
Means for washing the engine differ in composition. However, there is no radical mixture that can remove contaminants of any type and any complexity. Having poured even a whole jar of this composition, you can be very disappointed. In any case, the motor will not look like new. But the instructions about it are so beautifully written. As the reviews show, all means for washing the car engine are similar in principle. It is enough to spray the contents with the engine still warm and after ten minutes rinse everything with water.
However, in most cases, the manufacturer does not indicate under what pressure to wash off the dirt. Also, the temperature of the water is not written. If on the surface of the motor a thin layer of dirt and quite a bit of oil, then almost any composition will cope with the task. Contaminants will quickly dissolve, and water will remove the entire suspension. As a result, all surfaces of the unit will be clean.
Strong and medium soiling is much more difficult to remove. In most cases, one capacity of the product is not enough.
Engine Degreaser Tool
This tool for washing the engine from the outside is made by the American company Prestone. An aerosol formulation is available. The cost of one spray is about 120 rubles. A test of this composition was conducted. Used it before a professional car wash on a car engine that did not know the wash from the first start. Externally, the motor was not particularly dirty. There was no thick layer of dirt. The tool was carefully applied to the surface of the power unit and waited about 10 minutes. After that, the composition was washed off with water. Layering of oil and dirt was easily washed off with water, but not in hard-to-reach places. I had to tinker with some secluded corners of the engine compartment for a long time.
This means for washing the car engine with their own hands almost did not clean the painted surfaces from accumulated dirt and had to be wiped manually. Well, the composition copes well with brake fluid deposits and oil-based deposits. But road dust practically does not take. To clean the motor with an average degree of pollution one spray was not enough.
Cleaner "Consol"
This is a Russian-made product. Also available as an aerosol. A can of 52 milliliters costs about 70 rubles. The manufacturer indicated that this compound is safe for many paintwork, plastic and rubber coatings. Also in the instructions there are some nuances that are worth paying attention to. So, do-it-yourself detergent for the engine should be applied to all surfaces that should be cleaned, and after five minutes rinse with water under high pressure. But to remove carbon deposits and grease, it is better to use a minimum amount of fluid. This part of the manual is not understood. It is quite difficult to imagine a combination of a minimum amount of water and a strong head. Most likely, this requires a Kercher device. If this is not the case, then ordinary water from the water supply with a small pressure is suitable. As a result, the tool removes only light pollution. Strongly oily places remain. A road dirt will have to be removed with a brush.
Sintec cleaner
This cleaner is sold in a plastic container. For a bottle of 500 milliliters, you will have to pay about 70 rubles. These products are used to wash a car engine in Russia.
This cleaner is designed for periodic cleaning of the motor during the use of vehicles, as well as before repairing the unit. As the reviews show, applying such a composition to the surface of the engine is inconvenient, since there is a wide torch from the sprayer. However, his pressure over a long distance is not enough. And the hidden parts of the motor are not always able to get close.
The tool itself is not very active. It slightly dissolves brake fluid and oily spots, and practically does not take road dust. But the Sintec cleaner smells like kerosene. Which, in turn, is very alarming. Judging by the reviews, deposits that should have been soaked under the influence of the product do not want to lag behind the surfaces. And the water that has got on the already cooled parts of the car just rolls off them, like oil. As a result, the dirt remains on the motor. This cleaner is recognized by consumers as the most inefficient. Use such a composition can only be used to remove traces of insects, poplar buds and bitumen stains on the body.
Means for washing the engine of the Turtle Wax car
This cleaner is available in England and is sold in a plastic container equipped with a manual spray gun. 300 milliliters of this composition costs about 250 rubles.
According to reviews, this substance is intended to remove only certain contaminants. For total processing, the tool simply does not fit. The composition perfectly removes traces of brake fluid and oil. Its residues are easily washed off with water. But the cleaner cannot remove the road dirt.
The capacity in which Turtle Wax is sold is small and easy to use. From the sprayer, the jet can be directed to any place at a sufficiently large distance. This is one of the main advantages of aerosol cleaners.
Cleaner for chains of bicycles and motorcycles "CATENE LIQUI MOLY"
This is a German engine cleaner. Reviews show that this cleaner falls out of our regulations. However, the effect of use is noticeable immediately. The composition perfectly copes not only with stains of brake fluid and oil, but also removes good road dirt from paint and varnish coatings.
The balloon does not require special manipulations. The jet is strong enough and, if necessary, can be reached to the farthest places. The only thing required is to keep the container upright. Otherwise, only air will come out of it. The resulting suspension is washed off very easily. After applying the composition, the surfaces became clean. It costs 500 milliliters of the CATENE LIQUI MOLY cleaner about 186 rubles.
The composition of the brand "Abro"
Several products are available under this brand: cleaner and foam cleaner. In the first case, the capacity costs about 130 rubles and has a weight of 510 grams, in the second - 120 rubles and a weight of 453 grams.
These are almost identical products with different packaging designs. Both formulations have the same typeface. However, a significant difference is precisely in the instructions. The foam cleaner must be shaken before use. The second tool must be sprayed at a distance of 30 centimeters so that it does not fall on the paintwork. It is worth noting that both cleaners foam.
The compositions act the same. After application from a short distance, a fairly abundant foam is formed, which slowly settles. The jet is also clearly visible. This will direct her to the right place.
As for the effect, many consumers praise these cleaners in their reviews. Both compounds cope well with stains of oil and brake fluid. Road dirt also partially dissolves. It is worth noting that both compositions are easily washed off with water with a gentle stream. You can use a brush to remove residual road dirt. When contacted with skin, cleaners do not cause discomfort and are easily washed off. When used, a slight smell of kerosene is felt.
What to choose
After a long search and experimentation, each motorist finds the perfect cleaner. Means for washing the engine are completely different. Some are able to remove only oil stains, others cope with all types of pollution. Of the above compositions, the most convenient and effective are Abro cleaners. The CATENE LIQUI MOLY product, which is designed to remove various contaminants from the chains of bicycles and motorcycles, has proven itself well. Although this composition is intended for other purposes, it copes with various deposits on motors. The rest of the compositions are better to use with light pollution of the engine.
In conclusion
When using any product, it is worthwhile to carefully study how to properly apply and wash it off. The final result depends on it.
It is worth choosing a detergent for washing the engine from oil, brake fluid and road dirt. The main rule is no flammable components. It takes about 30 minutes to wash. Perform the procedure several times a year. This will keep it clean under the hood.