Engine Bay Cleaning in St. Louis
Yep, we clean under the hood too.
So this guy rolled up last week in a black F-150 from Arnold. Hood had bugs all over it, looked like he just drove through a cloud of gnats. He goes, “The truck runs fine, but man, the engine looks like it’s been through war.”
He popped the hood, and I swear—dead leaves, oil stains, road dust, maybe a bird feather or two. I said, “You ever had an engine bay cleaning?” He goes, “Wait...you can clean this?”
Yep. You sure can. And you should. Engine bay cleaning ain’t just for show cars. It’s for everyday rides that need some love.
What is Engine Bay Cleaning?
Let’s keep it simple. Engine bay cleaning means we clean the part under the hood—where the engine sits. That whole area gets nasty over time. You got grease from oil, dirt from the road, old bugs, leaf bits, and sometimes even old nests if the car sits too long.
We go in there with low-pressure water, safe degreasers, soft brushes, and air tools. We scrub it down, rinse it careful, dry it fast, and make it look way better than when it rolled in.
You don’t want stuff building up under there. Especially not in St. Louis with all the salt in winter and pollen in spring. That grime holds moisture, which can cause rust. And all that dust? It can mess with your belts and wiring.
Why Would You Clean an Engine Bay?
Good question. Most folks never think about it. But once you do it, you’ll see the difference right away.
Here’s why people get it done:
You’re selling or trading in your car and want it to look clean
You work on your own car and don’t wanna get filthy every time you open the hood
You just got a ceramic coating or detail and want the whole car looking right
You got a leak and need to see where it’s coming from
You’re just tired of looking at a mess under there
Had a guy from Maplewood try to diagnose a coolant leak. He couldn’t tell where it was dripping from cause there was too much gunk. We cleaned it up, and boom—next day he saw the drip line. Fixed it in a half hour.
What’s Included in Engine Bay Cleaning?
Every car’s a little different, but here’s what we usually clean:
Underside of the hood
Engine cover
Battery area
Hoses and clamps
Plastic trim and fuse boxes
Firewalls and strut towers
Any visible metal or painted parts
We use plastic-safe degreasers, soft detail brushes, and air to dry stuff fast. No high pressure washing. We don’t spray water where it doesn’t belong. No frying electronics, no busted sensors. We’ve done this a long time. We know where not to spray.
If you’re driving something older, we’ll take extra care. Some of those older seals and wires get brittle. We’ll tape off or cover the parts that need it.
One guy brought us a 1989 Mustang from Florissant. That bay was rough. We did it by hand, no spray, just elbow grease. When we finished, he said it hadn’t looked that clean since the day he bought it.
Is It Safe to Clean the Engine Bay?
Yeah—if it’s done right. And that’s the key.
We’ve seen folks spray full-blast water under the hood at a car wash. Don’t do that. You could soak sensors, fry a fuse, or crack something important.
That’s why we use:
Low pressure spray
Controlled rinsing (not full soaks)
No harsh cleaners
Brushes made for plastic and rubber
Air dryers to move water out fast
We also keep the battery covered or disconnected if needed, and we never just blast and go. That’s how you break stuff.
What It Looks Like When It’s Done
You ever see a clean kitchen? Not just wiped down—but cleaned. That’s how the engine bay should feel after. No greasy fingerprints. No dust coating the hoses. No leaves stuck to the firewall.
Painted metal looks fresh again. Rubber looks dark and clean. Plastic trim shines but not all fake and oily.
We don’t use greasy dressing that melts in the heat. We keep it clean and dry. If you’re getting the car ceramic coated, we’ll prep the bay first so you don’t trap grime under the hood.
Depends on how and where you drive.
Daily driver with no leaks? Once or twice a year
You park under trees or drive gravel roads? More often
You just bought a used car? Get it done ASAP
You’re selling your car? Definitely do it
A lady from South County had us clean her engine bay before selling her Rav4. The buyer popped the hood and said, “Dang, this thing’s spotless.” She said it helped her get full asking price. That $60 cleaning made her a few hundred more.
How Often Should You Do It?
Does It Help Performance?
Not directly, no. Cleaning your engine bay won’t make your car faster. But it does help you keep things running right.
Spot leaks quicker
Catch broken hoses or loose belts
Reduce chances of corrosion
Help techs see better when working on your car
It’s like cleaning out a messy toolbox. You might not use every tool, but when something’s clean, you can tell what’s going on.
Can You Combine This With Other Services?
For sure. Most people add engine bay cleaning to:
Full interior and exterior detailing
Ceramic coating
Paint correction
It’s a quick service when you know what you’re doing. We can usually knock it out in 30 to 45 minutes. Just let us know when you book your detail and we’ll include it.
How Much Does Engine Bay Cleaning Cost?
It’s usually between $49 and $99, depending on the vehicle and condition. Big trucks or engine swaps might be more if there’s more grime. But for regular cars, it’s an easy add-on that makes a big difference.
We’ll give you a fair quote, show you before and after pics if you want, and you’ll drive away feeling good about what’s under the hood.
Why It Matters in St. Louis
Between our winters with all the salt and our springs with all the pollen, cars in St. Louis get messy fast. Even if you don’t work on your own car, a clean engine bay helps your mechanic see better. It also helps you keep an eye on stuff before it breaks.
Driving down I-55 in January with slush getting kicked up into your wheel wells? That stuff don’t stop at the tires. It ends up in your engine too.
And with all the stop-and-go traffic around Kingshighway or the long commutes from O’Fallon and Fenton, you want your ride running clean—not buried in grease.
Real Talk: Should You Get It Done?
Yeah, you should. It’s one of the cheapest things you can do that actually makes a difference.
Most folks only clean what they see. But if you care about keeping your car in good shape, or if you’re the kind of person who likes seeing clean paint and clean windows—why stop there?
Get the engine bay done. You’ll feel better next time you pop the hood.
Want it clean under the hood? We’re here for that. Whether you’re in Mehlville, Chesterfield, South City, or up in Florissant, we’ve done engine bays from beat-up work trucks to show-ready Mustangs.
Book online, call or text us now. Let’s get that grime out and bring your engine back to life.
Book Engine Bay Cleaning with Arch City Detail
314-252-8950
info@archcitydetail.com