Engine maintenance

Keeping your engine clean
See Figures 15 and 16

There are a variety of cleaners and degreasers available to help you keep your engine and engine compartment clean. No one wants to work on an engine that is nearly invisible underneath the grease. The most effective way to clean an engine is to steam clean it. However, this takes equipment that the average backyard mechanic does not ordinarily have, though steam cleaning is available at some car washes. It is possible, of course, to have your engine professionally steam cleaned, although this is generally not necessary unless the engine is extraordinarily dirty. Ordinary commercial degreasers, available at auto parts stores, will generally do the job.

Checking oil
See Figures 17, 18, 19 and 20

Maintaining the correct oil level in your vehicle is probably the single most important item of periodic engine maintenance you can perform. There are many reasons an engine uses oil, but keep in mind that it is not unusual for even a showroom-fresh vehicle to use oil at the rate of about 1000 miles (1609 km) to the quart. Therefore, it can be assumed that almost every engine will use a certain amount of oil.

Frequent oil checks are a necessity. Make it a habit to check the oil at least once a week, or at every gas stop. When checking the oil, the engine should be warm, but not running, and the vehicle should be parked on a level surface. Be sure to give the oil a few minutes to drain back into the pan from the upper regions of the engine. Otherwise, you will get a false reading.

Follow these simple steps to check your oil level:

1. Make sure the vehicle is parked on level ground.
2. When checking the oil level, it is best for the engine to be at normal operating temperature, although checking the oil immediately after stopping will lead to a false reading. Wait a few minutes after turning off the engine to allow the oil to drain back into the crankcase.
3. Open the hood and locate the dipstick that normally will be in a guide tube mounted to the engine block. Pull the dipstick from its tube, wipe it clean (using a clean, lint free rag) and then reinsert it.
4. Pull the dipstick out again and holding it VERTICALLY (so that the oil cannot flow up the dipstick, giving a false high indication), read the oil level. The oil should be between the FULL and ADD marks on the dipstick. If the oil level is below the ADD mark, add oil of the proper viscosity through the capped opening (usually in the valve or camshaft cover, and sometimes in a filler tube).
5. Insert the dipstick and check the oil level again after adding any oil. Be sure not to overfill the crank case and waste the oil. Excess oil will generally be consumed at an increased rate.

   Some dipsticks do not say FULL and ADD, they may say F and A, or they might just have 2 dots or lines. In any case, the upper of the two marks is used to indicate the full oil level, while the lower of the 2 marks (usually is the one quart low mark) means it is time to add oil.

DO NOT overfill the crankcase. It may result in oil-fouled spark plugs, oil leaks caused by oil seal failure or engine damage due to oil foaming.

The EPA warns that prolonged contact with used engine oil may cause a number of skin disorders, including cancer! You should make every effort to minimize your exposure to used engine oil. Protective gloves should be worn when changing the oil. Wash your hands and any other exposed skin areas as soon as possible after exposure to used engine oil. Soap and water, or waterless hand cleaner should be used.

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