How To Clean Your Dodge Charger’s Engine

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: July 22, 2023

The Dodge Charger's engine is the mechanical powerhouse that brings the thrill of acceleration, speed, and an unforgettable driving experience. To ensure its endurance and avoid potential hitches, proper engine upkeep is crucial.

With everyday usage, the engine slowly accumulates dust and grime. Not to mention the occasional traces of stray lubricant, antifreeze, or other pollutants that may appear here and there.

This accumulated debris doesn't just mar the engine's aesthetic appeal, covered with a mix of external grime and pollutants, it can also impact its performance. 

Take this for instance: an engine laden with dirt can easily overheat due to interference in the heat transfer process. Furthermore, when the engine is grimy, identifying external indicators of potential faults, such as a fresh oil leak or crack, becomes a challenge.

Thus, it's crucial to maintain your Dodge Charger thoroughly: both externally (car's body) and internally (interior, engine bay, etc.).

Cleaning your Dodge Charger's engine at least once every few years is a recommended practice. However, if you reside in a location with a constant barrage of dust, dirt, and sand, you might need to clean the engine more frequently.

NOTE:

Washing the Dodge Charger’s engine is a complex task that involves various factors and steps. Any misstep in this process can lead to a disastrous engine failure or an expensive repair bill.

Therefore, to avoid unintended mishaps—we provide a comprehensive guide on how to do it, but remember, user errors are always a possibility.

If you require additional assistance or if you're uncertain about washing the engine on your own, it's advisable to entrust this job to professionals who can handle it both efficiently and safely.

Should You Clean Your Dodge Charger's Engine?

Many new Dodge Charger owners question the necessity of engine cleaning. The views on this matter vary among motorists.

The accumulation of grime and dust can negatively impact the engine's performance, leading to:

• deterioration in heat transfer;
• reduction in power;
• increase in fuel consumption;
• heightened risk of spontaneous combustion.

Once you understand these risks, the reasons for cleaning the engine become obvious. However, the frequency of this procedure varies.

The cleaning schedule depends on usage intensity, driving habits, and design characteristics of the vehicle. Cleaning the power unit becomes necessary in specific situations:

• severe engine contamination due to faulty pipes, seals, and similar components;
• diagnosing the source of fluid leaks;
• preparing the vehicle for overhaul or sale.

What Do You Need to Clean Your Dodge Charger's Engine?

Before you start cleaning the engine, understand that it requires responsibility, patience, and attentiveness. Ensure you have all the necessary items at hand, including:

• Electric contact spray;
• Brush;
• Rag(s);
• WD-40;
• Hose or high-pressure washer;
• Car shampoo or degreaser;
• Polyethylene bags;
• Duct tape;
• Hose for blowing with compressed air.

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.

Apply the Degreaser or Car Shampoo to Your Dodge Charger's Engine Surface

Apply your chosen cleaning agent to the engine surface, ensuring every inch is covered with either the car shampoo or degreaser. You don't need to go overboard with the quantity.

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Allow the Cleaners to Do Their Job

Once the cleaning solution is applied, let it interact with the dirt and contaminants. Leave it for a good 3-6 minutes to do its magic.

Proceed with Manual Engine Cleaning

After giving the cleaning agents their due time, it's time for some elbow grease. Based on the type and level of dirt, you might need a brush or rag to thoroughly clean your Dodge Charger's engine.

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Proceed with caution to avoid any damages, and remember, the exhaust manifold may still be hot, so protect yourself from burns.

If you come across stubborn contaminants, don't hesitate to use WD-40. Known for its wide range of applications, including cleaning parts from rust and ingrained dirt, it can be a real lifesaver. Simply apply WD-40 to the problematic spot, let it sit for a bit, and then scrub away.

Rinse Your Dodge Charger's Engine

Once the manual cleaning process is done, it's time to move to the final stage of rinsing the engine with water.

For this, use the lowest possible water pressure (if you're using a pressure washer) to avoid damaging the engine bay. Clean carefully, ensuring all the chemicals are thoroughly washed off. Remember, residual cleaners can leave stains.

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Blow Out All Electrical Contacts with Compressed Air

Even with the best precautions, water can still find its way to the engine's electronics.

To protect the contacts from corrosion, it's recommended to blow them with compressed air after unwrapping the electrical elements. The force of the air will remove any residual water droplets.

Thoroughly Dry the Engine and Its Components

Once the wash is completed, it's time to dry the engine. You can use paper towels or dry rags for this task.

Be sure to wipe down all the nooks and crannies within the engine compartment. If water makes it to the electrical contacts, ensure they are dried as well.

Now, it's time to remove the protective plastic bags and duct tape. Carefully inspect every area within the engine bay to ensure it's dry and clean.

After reconnecting the battery terminals, start up your Dodge Charger and verify everything is running as it should.

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Is it Safe to Clean a Dodge Charger's Engine at a Car Wash?

For many Dodge Charger owners, especially those new to the scene, the thought of cleaning their engine at a car wash can be a nerve-wracking one. The high-pressure jets of water and chemicals used at these facilities work great for parts of the car where there's no risk of dislodging pipes or disrupting sensitive components. However, when it comes to the area under the hood, this approach can be seen as less effective or even potentially harmful.

The challenge lies in reaching those tucked-away areas without risking short circuits, saturating the air filter, or dislocating sensors and nozzles. This makes it tricky to adequately clean your Dodge Charger's engine at a self-service car wash, where your tools might be limited.

However, professional detailing centers often provide specific services for thorough or surface-level engine cleaning. These services are more nuanced, with the quality depending on the specific techniques, tools, and cleaning agents used.

Options for Cleaning a Dodge Charger's Engine at a Car Wash

While each detailing center may use different terms for their services, the expected outcome remains largely the same. Here are two common options:

Surface Cleaning. This method is akin to a standard car wash. The mechanic will pop the hood, apply a foam solution to the engine, and rinse it off following a set protocol. This mostly improves the engine's outward appearance.

Thorough Cleaning. This service is notable for its comprehensive approach and the high quality of cleaning it provides, often costing as much as, if not more than, a full body wash. All surfaces and hard-to-reach areas are meticulously cleaned, sometimes even by hand using sponges, rags, and brushes. Components that may interfere with the cleaning process are often removed ahead of time. The result? An engine bay that's as clean as the day it left the factory.

In Summary

Cleaning the engine might seem like a trivial task, but it's an integral aspect of proper maintenance for your Dodge Charger. It's crucial to remove any dirt, dust, grease, and debris from the engine surface and its components.

Before starting the cleaning process, it's important to properly protect any vulnerable components like wiring, contacts, and the fuse box to avoid contact with water and chemicals.

Proper and diligent engine cleaning aids in better cooling, prevents corrosion of components, and ensures everything under the hood stays clean and in top condition. This contributes to the longevity and optimal performance of your Dodge Charger.