Alkaline Cleaning for Engines

Just as the body of the car needs to be cleaned to look good, the engine needs to be cleaned to maintain its performance. Cleaning the engine is quite different from cleaning the body. You will need to protect the battery and other crucial parts from water, and you need to make sure that water doesn't enter the engine.

Procedure

• Open the hood of your car and run it for a couple of minutes. The engine should be warm when you begin to clean it. Once you have switched off the engine, disconnect the battery leads and cover the valves with plastic to avoid seepage of water.

  Clean the loose debris with the help of a brush or a vacuum blower. Use a degreaser to help clean the grease and sludge from the engine. Avoid using an acidic cleaner for the engine. Alkaline cleaners work best for engines. Remember to rinse well after cleaning, and if you need to, use the alkaline cleaner for specific spots that need extra attention.

Advantage of Using of Alkaline Cleaners

• The cleaning ability of alkaline cleaners is superior others because the alkaline builders in the formula displace the grease and grime easily. The displaced dirt can be easily removed with rinsing. The basic chemicals used as alkaline builders are caustic potash, caustic soda, silicates, carbonates and phosphates. They are what make the cleaner alkaline. These salts help disperse oil and neutralize acidic sludge.

  Alkaline cleaners with caustics should not be used on metals such as zinc and aluminum. Silicates with medium alkalinity are a good option. Phosphates have low alkalinity but provide a good level of detergency. They are perfect for cleaning soft metals and work efficiently with hard water too.

  Regardless of alkalinity levels, all alkaline cleaners work efficiently. Their efficiency may be due to different factors such as the solvent actions, saponification, detergency, emulsification and deflocculation. All these different factors work in their own unique ways to help clean the engine.

Warning

• Choose a cleaner that suits the type of engine you have in your car. An alkaline cleaner with phosphates as the alkaline builder are best suited for cleaning car engines. It is recommended that you thoroughly rinse off engine after the cleaner or degreaser has been used to loosen the dirt and grime. Any residue might prove detrimental to the engine's upkeep.

  Alkaline cleaners are the best option for cleaning engines. They not only clean thoroughly but also don't harm the metal body.