Cleaning engine bay

[1da4]

I have a couple questions about this:
1) should i cover up the alternator? Is it bad if it gets wet?
2) I've done this before with simple green but im curious if anyone else has chemicals or any advice on this matter

Thanks

 

[nissanh]

I will not use water on the engine unless you really have to. Too may electrical components.
Use a brush (paint and tooth brush) to brush off dirt. This is my advice.

 

[Arnezie]

I have a couple questions about this:
1) should i cover up the alternator? Is it bad if it gets wet?Yes
2) I've done this before with simple green but I'm curious if anyone else has chemicals or any advice on this matterPurple power

Thanks

:typing:

 

[Kanger328]

I've done this a few times. Only covered the battery terminals and fusebox. I didn't worry about the alternator because it's exposed to water anyway when it rains...that and I've forded water multiple times and had no alternator issues. Spray the biodegradable chemical, let it soak, run engine and spray with a hose. Don't go too crazy around the coilpacks/spark plug inlets though. Maybe do it at a DIY car wash with the spray nozzle set to low. That way you don't get all the engine gunk/chemicals on your driveway or in your grass.

 

[GVL]

Just did mine recently and used a diluted Simple Green mix (60% water/40% SG) Covered the alternator, fuse box, and battery with plastic shopping bags and used a semi-gentle spray and a brush to clean. Took about 20 min and looks & runs great.

 

[98WhiteT4R]

I use that purple degreaser too, and use a pressure washer real quick. Never had a problemray:

 

[1da4]

Thanks for the responses guys, i will probably cover the alternator at the minimum then do it. Simple green ive heard works pretty well, and i used to use purple power on everything so i might pick some of that up too

 

[Hog1983]

I've always cleaned out the engine bay on all my vehicles at least 2x a year. Just a pressure washer and degreaser. I've never had a problem.

 

[Asaspades93]

Did mine with a pressure washer and degreaser last week, got a little close to one of the coils :ybrickit was having problems anyways) which resulted in a misfire and in turn a new coil haha

 

[Mc1337sauce]

I always use Simple Green (no dilution) and a normal hose. Wet down the engine bay, spray everything down with Simple Green, agitate with a wash mitt, use a toothbrush for any small/extra dirty spots, rinse with the hose, and towel dry. To finish it off I use Meguiars Ultimate Quik Wax on all of the painted/metal surfaces, and use Meguiars Natural Shine Protectant on all rubber/plastic parts and hoses. I don't cover anything in the engine bay except my air filter, I just avoid soaking important bits like the alternator, fusebox, or grommets in the firewall.

Here's a couple shots of my engine bay to show what kind of results you can get - these were shot about 4 or 5 months after cleaning it last.

 

[White 4x4runner]

I go to the self car was. Wash my car pop the hood spray the engine down with the engine degreaser setting switch it over to the tire scrubber wash my rims then pressure wash the engine... 4 years of doing this and so far no problems. Haven't blown a fuse and haven't had to replace my alternator.

Edit: I don't care about spick and span. It's an engine on a vehicle that goes offroad. It aint no show car.

 

[segafan1989]

Since when do engines care about being clean? Just kidding, I wash mine with Gunk engine degreaser and a normal water hose. I do it once every two months.

 

[kolelt]

So it is ok to spray water on the engine and around ( little bit of water )?


I sometimes use brake cleaner to get the grease dirt out of cracks and clean everything with clean towel.

 

[slapdappy]

make sure the engine is not hot, kinda warm is fine, not hot. I put hose nozzle on 'shower,' gently and thoroughly wet the engine above and below, spray liberally with whatever doesn't harm or discolor aluminum (simple green? purple power? read label), let sit for a few minutes, don't let it dry, thoroughly hose down. I'm not looking for a show quality engine bay, just one that's cleaner than before.
I do NOT use high pressure. If needed I scrub a bit, but high pressure can drive water past seals into places it should not be.