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How do I clean a Toyota engine?

I’ve started getting into car maintenance, and I realized that I’ve never cleaned my engine! Unfortunately, I’m still a little new to all this stuff, and I don’t know where to start. What’s the best way to clean my Toyota’s engine?

avatar
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Learning more about caring for your car is a great way to get further into
car maintenance
. While cleaning your engine is a time-consuming process, it’s easy enough when you take it one step at a time.
Follow these steps to clean your Toyota’s engine:
  • Open your hood
    and give the engine at least 15 minutes to cool down.
  • Unplug the negative terminal on your car and take out any plastic covers you find—they’re easier to clean separately.
  • Cover any electrical components like your battery, ignition wires, and ECU with plastic sheeting.
  • Spray your engine block with a degreaser, like Simple Gren or 409, or a professional car degreaser, like WD-40’s engine cleaner
  • Use a microfiber cloth or soft-bristle brush to work the degreaser into your engine.
  • Use a hose or light-mode power washer to spray off the degreaser.
  • Dry the engine block with a towel. You can get at any tight nooks with an air compressor.
  • Hand-wash the plastic caps with a mix of dish soap and water. Dry them with a clean towel.
  • Remove the plastic covers and replace your plastic caps and negative battery terminal.
Hopefully, these steps will help you safely clean your engine! Remember, car maintenance is about consistency. You should clean your engine at least twice a year. Making sure the engine stays relatively clean is an easy way to keep it in top shape and ensure your cleaning days aren’t too difficult.
Since you’re already taking the time to clean your engine, take another minute to save on car insurance with
Jerry
. A licensed broker, the Jerry app helps users save an average of $879 a year on car insurance. Just download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will send you personalized quotes from top providers, like Travelers and Nationwide, in minutes for free.
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