One of the best things that you can do is to blow off the engine really good with a leaf blower or air compressor after each use. This should be done before any water touches the machine. This helps to prevent the buildup of dust grass around the engine cooling fins. Once a year, remove the engine fan shroud and get any extra grass and dirt from the cooling fins. If it’s extra dirty, some of the tin around the engine might need to be removed for cleaning. A non-chlorinated brake cleaner will help with that. The yearly cleaning is outlined in your engine manual and/or machine manual. By blowing it off after each use, you prevent a good amount of debris buildup around the engine.