How to Clean Rust Off of Your Car Engine

Rust can accumulate on your car engine overtime. It’s important to learn how to maintain and clean your engine. Removing the rust will prolong the engine’s life and keep the surface from deteriorating. The rust can be removed with basic tools, carburetor cleaner and some elbow grease.

Step 1: Park the vehicle on a level surface and turn the engine off. Allow the engine to cool down for an hour. This will prevent serious burns while cleaning the engine.

Step 2: Fill a bucket with hot water. Submerge the wire brush into the bucket; hold the handle to avoid burning your hand.

Step 3: Scrub the car engine with the wet wire brush. This will break up large rust areas and baked-on carbon. Clear the engine of debris with a clean rag. Dip the wire brush into the bucket as needed to remove debris. Continue to scrub the engine surface until all large deposits are broken up.

Step 4: Spray the engine surface with carburetor cleaner. The cleaner will work to loosen stubborn, stuck-on dirt and rust. Use a clean rag to make sure the cleaner gets into all crevices and corners. Allow the carburetor cleaner to penetrate the engine surface for five minutes.

Step 5: Swirl the wire brush around in the bucket of hot water to remove debris and dirt. Scrub the engine once more, making sure to get into each corner and crevice. Use a clean wet rag and wipe the engine down. Continue to repeat this step until the rust is gone and the engine is clean.

Step 6: Spray WD-40 on the engine surface; this will prevent future rust from forming. Use a clean rag to apply the WD-40 to the crevices and corners. Once finished, close the hood of the vehicle.