“Year round, we expose our engines to the elements on the road — grease, dirt, salt, sand — and as the engine heats up with normal use, these elements bake onto the engine and create deposits,” said Marshal Livingstone, brand manager for GUNK.

“Debris should be removed from engines twice a year with a cleaner or degreaser, to help the engine run cooler and reduce hotspots.”

For prolonged protection from buildup, Livingstone recommends a sprayable engine protector, which shields the engine and leaves a detailed shine.

“Serious professionals looking for high-performance preventative maintenance solutions can count on GUNK’s engine cleaning system to help prolong the lives of vehicles they maintain and repair.”

For repair shop professionals and vehicle owners who want to properly clean and protect engines, follow these steps:

Step 1:
If the car has been used the day of the cleaning, be sure the engine is off and cool to the touch before applying an engine degreaser. Then, cover the air intake, any electrical wires that may be cracked or frayed and any other electronically sensitive areas of the engine.

Once sensitive areas are protected, apply the engine degreaser most appropriate for the vehicle.

After the engine degreaser is applied, let it sit on the engine for 10 minutes.

To finish, spray down the engine with water to wash off the degreaser. The engine regularly gets wet as water is pulled through the radiator during a rainstorm, therefore, hosing it off after degreasing will not cause any harm.

Use a wide, indirect spray to remove excess degreaser; again ensuring air intake and any sensitive electronics are covered. Any degreaser that was not removed by the hose can be wiped off with a shop towel. Allow the engine to dry before moving on to Step 2.

Step 2:
On a cooled, dry engine, spray an even coat of engine protector. Let the formula sit for a few minutes and then use a rag or shop towel to wipe on, leaving a protective layer that helps resist dirt and grime and makes future engine cleaning faster and easier. Engine protector also leaves a shiny finish, great for those in car shows or who like to show off their handiwork.

An engine cleaning system is essential care for vehicles, just like changing oil or rotating and balancing tires, and should be incorporated into bi-annual car care routines. Performing this simple preventative maintenance helps prolong the life of the engine.

When an engine is cleaned and protected against future buildup, the engine runs cooler and more efficiently. When the system is used at least twice per year, engines are less susceptible to oils, salt and road buildup, lessening the chances of developing rust and other vehicle troubles.

Courtesy of GUNK.