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How Do You Clean Your Dodge Charger's Engine?

It's best to clean your engine when the weather is pleasant - warm but not overly hot, and without rain or wind. The most suitable time for engine cleaning is after the winter, when the engine typically accumulates a considerable amount of dirt.

Warm Up Your Engine

Before starting the cleaning process, a light warm-up of the engine can make dirt removal easier.

Note: You should avoid washing the engine when it's at its operating temperature - around 100 degrees. Cold water hitting a hot surface could damage the engine or its components.



Don't attempt to clean the engine if you've recently completed a long drive in your Charger. Allow it to cool for about one and a half hours.

Ideally, start with a "cold" engine, let it warm to 60-65 degrees, then turn it off and wait for 15 minutes. In this case, your Dodge Charger's engine will reach the optimal temperature for cleaning.

Disconnect the Negative Battery Terminal



The first step is to disconnect the negative terminal of the car battery. This de-energizes the entire electrical system of the car, so even if water touches some electrical components, a short circuit won't occur.

Ideally, you should remove the battery entirely after disconnecting both terminals.

If the design of newer vehicles makes it challenging to disconnect the negative terminal, the main action remains the same - disconnect the negative terminal.

Manually Remove Large Debris from the Engine Compartment

It's common for a considerable amount of dirt and debris, such as leaves or grass, to gather under the hood. Before you commence the cleanup process, you should remove these contaminants. They often collect in small crevices in the engine bay or closer to the interior. A thorough inspection of these areas and removal of any accumulated dirt is crucial.

Secure All Electronic Contacts

Electronic equipment, sensors, and wires are particularly vulnerable to water damage. Even if the system is de-energized during cleaning, water can still pose a threat.

Without adequate precaution, contacts could oxidize, and electrical equipment may malfunction. What's worse is that oxidation may not occur immediately but over time. Your car may fail to start suddenly, leaving you puzzled about the cause.

Prior to cleaning, it's important to protect each electrical contact under the hood that could get wet, including:

• Sensors (pay special attention to these);
  
• Wires;
  
• Headlight contacts;
  
• Under-hood fuse block;
  
• Any other electronic contacts visible under the hood.
  

You can use two proven methods to protect the above-mentioned contacts:

• Apply a special spray that protects contacts from moisture;
  
• Wrap contacts with polyethylene bags or film, and secure with duct tape to prevent water exposure.
  

I recommend using both methods. The special spray creates a protective layer to "preserve the contact," preventing water from reaching it. Afterwards, wrap these contacts in polyethylene bags and secure tightly. Insulation tape can be particularly useful here to ensure the wrapping doesn't come undone.

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Use a polyethylene bag and duct tape to wrap the fuse block. Ensure all contacts are secure. If you need additional guidance, refer to your Dodge Charger's wiring diagram.

You should also isolate other vehicle components to prevent water infiltration. Check for any openings in the air supply system and whether water can enter through them.

If your car has a carburetor, cover it with a bag to prevent water from entering - water in the power system can cause engine malfunctions.