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Exterior Care intermediate 4 min read

Keeping Your Engine Bay Mint in the Aussie Heat

Most car owners make this harder than it needs to be. Here's the straightforward approach that actually works—no fluff, no upselling.

Don't ignore the crud building up under your bonnet. A clean engine runs cooler and makes spotting oil leaks a whole lot easier before your next road trip.

MT
Mick Thompson Senior Detailing Editor
| Updated: 26 February 2026
What You'll Learn
Keeping Your Engine Bay Mint in the Aussie Heat

Aussie Conditions

Australian conditions are tougher than most—intense UV, red dust, coastal salt, and 40°C summers. European car care advice often doesn't cut it here.
Quick Summary

Look, I get it. Most people are terrified of spraying water near their engine. But honestly, if you're careful with the electricals, it's the most satisfying job you can do on a Saturday morning. This is especially true if you've been doing some beach driving or tackling red dust out west, that stuff gets into everything and ruins pulleys.

01

The Essential Gear

What You'll Need

0/8
All-Purpose Cleaner (APC) or Degreaser — I reckon Bowden's Own Orange Agent is the best shout for Aussie grease. It's tough but won't etch your alloys.
Soft Detailing Brushes — Get a set with plastic ferules. I once used a cheap one with a metal collar and scratched the heck out of a client's plastic manifold. Never again.
Aluminium Foil or Glad Wrap — For covering the sensitive bits like the alternator and intake.
Microfibre Towels (The 'Dirty' Ones) — Don't use your good paint towels. These will get filthy.
Pressure Washer or Garden Hose — Pressure washer is fine, just don't get the nozzle too close to the sensors.
Engine Dressing — Meguiar's Hyper Dressing is my go-to. It gives that 'new car' look without being greasy.
A Leaf Blower or Compressed Air — Essential for getting water out of the spark plug wells.
Rubber Gloves — Trust me, degreaser absolutely wrecks your skin.

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02

Pre-Start Checklist (Don't skip these!)

What You'll Need

0/4
Engine Temperature — Is it cool to the touch? If you've just come back from the servo, wait an hour. Cold water on a hot block can crack things.
Electrical Cover-up — Alternator, exposed air intake, and any dodgy looking aftermarket wiring should be wrapped in foil.
Battery Check — Make sure the terminals are tight. If you're really worried, you can disconnect the negative, but I usually don't bother unless it's an old classic.
Loose Debris — Check for gum leaves or rats' nests near the firewall. I once found a desiccated lizard in a Hilux bay, poor bugger didn't stand a chance.
03

The Step-By-Step Process

Tap each step to mark complete
01

The Dry Clean

Use your leaf blower or a vacuum to get rid of loose dust, leaves, and sand. No point turning dust into mud if you don't have to.

02

Cover Sensitive Areas

Wrap your alternator, fuse box, and any exposed pod filters in foil. Foil is better than plastic bags because it stays where you poke it.

03

Apply Degreaser

Spray your APC or degreaser liberally starting from the bottom and working up. Avoid spraying directly into electrical connectors if you can help it.

04

Agitate with Brushes

Use your brushes to work the cleaner into the nooks and crannies. This is where you get rid of that baked-on red dirt from the last trip.

05

Gentle Rinse

Rinse off the suds using a low-pressure mist. Don't go 'full blast' on the electrical components. Keep the nozzle moving constantly.

06

The Big Dry

This is crucial. Use the leaf blower to blast water out of every crevice, especially around the spark plugs and battery tray. Hand dry the rest.

07

Dress the Plastics

While the plastic is still a tiny bit damp, spray your dressing. Close the bonnet and start the engine, the heat helps the dressing 'set' perfectly.

04

Final Inspection Checklist

What You'll Need

0/4
Remove all foil/wrap — Made this mistake on a black Commodore once, left the intake covered and wondered why it wouldn't start. Dead embarrassing.
Check for standing water — Look deep near the injectors. No puddles allowed.
Warning lights — Start the car and check the dash. If you get a check engine light, don't panic, usually just a damp sensor that needs more air.
Sling check — Make sure you didn't over-apply dressing on the belts, or it'll squeal like a stuck pig when you drive off.

Watch Out

Never, ever use 'tyre shine' in an engine bay. Most of those are solvent-based and can actually be a fire risk when the engine gets up to temp. Stick to water-based dressings. Also, keep your pressure washer at least 30cm away from everything, those things can cut through old rubber hoses like butter.

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