Can I wash my car engine myself?

Question

I put some oil in my car and I guess I spilled just a bit. When my car is hot, small amounts of oil drip under my car on my interlock. It is hard to get out.

Can I shampoo the engine myself? If so what is the best way?

Answer 1

Yes but you have to be careful not to get water in the intake (air cleaner) and the ignition. Cover as was suggested and use a can of "GUNK" engine degrease. Follow the instructions on the can then use the pressure carwash, engine off and vitals protected. If in doubt take to a professional and have steam cleaned.

Answer 2

Most car engines can be steam cleaned at the car wash. Just watch out and don't get a lot of steam or psi on the plug wires or distributor. I have taken ziploc bags or trash bags and protected distributors on some cars.

Another way is to go to a parts house and purchase a can of engine cleaner and just spray the oil off.

Answer 3

yea make a short trip to the car wash so it doesn't get hot then keep it running and spray it down avoiding the ignition and intake but it should be fine  

Answer 4

the oil while burn off after a few days when i was a kid they had a mobile commercial were the guy put his engine in a washing machine to clean it hahahaha my neibor figures it was ok to wash his motor well he had a h**l of a time trying to get it to run again dummy well you can clean an engine but it would be best to cover all your electronic parts like coil;wires distributor cap carborater or throttle body the way to do this is go to auto parts store and get some of that engine gunk remover spray on block stay away from electrical parts and wires then rinse it off if you get wires wet they do have a spray also at local auto parts you may want to get a can also while your there its called wire drier  you just  spray wires that got wet and it sucks the moister out if you get it into your distributor cap water that is you may have to remove it and drie the inside with a lint free towel good luck  but i think i would just let the oil burn off oya it is extremly important that you wash the engine while it is cold if engine is hot it may crack your engine block so let it be cooled first wash first thing in morning before you start it is best and remember it will leave a mess under your car so be prepaired for that mess to clean up also you cant wash it down the drain if you do and get caught it could meen a hefty fine