Cleaning the engine compartment

SoCalRunner

SoCalRunner

New member
I'm looking for recommendations on the best and safest way to clean under the hood. I recently noticed mud and dirt are all over the engine compartment and i was tempted, at the car wash, to spray it down. I decided to ask for advice instead.



Thank you.
 

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I've always power washed it at home (when the engine has completely cooled), but a lot of folks don't like doing that.
 
4RnR Grl said:
I've always power washed it at home (when the engine has completely cooled), but a lot of folks don't like doing that.
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You can also pre-spray with Simple Green. I have pressure-washed my engine bay but with a wide nozzle and not up close.
 
Power wash at the car wash on a regular basis. I generally use the "Spot-Free Rinse" setting versus the regular "Rinse". Less pressure.
Don't use close, direct pressure on any of the electrical components, wiring harnesses, etc.
 
I pressure washed my 5th gen with electric pressure washer a couple weeks ago after I first got it. I've done this a lot with different vehicles over the years. If there is a lot of grease you will want to use an engine degreaser prior to pressure washing it to remove the gunk. It's generally ok, but I would be very careful about getting water (at pressure) in sensitive areas, basically anywhere there is electronics or air intakes, or bearings are spots I would be very careful in. I found it very difficult to clean on these things due to all the lower shields, so removing those and putting on jack stands would probably be best to get more clean on the bottom.

I cringe when I see videos of these things fully submerged in the mud, boy that's a lot of dirt everywhere and a lot of clean up. For instance, the alternator(an accessory that is fully open to the elements) will fill up with mud when this happens, can't be good for it, also any bearings that have poor seals will also get mud in them. Even pressure washing these things later will never get it all clean.
 
I just get in there with a rag and soapy water. I find if I don't spray but just use a damp rag then it air dries and I never have a need to take the hose to it. Takes longer than just spraying but I also wash and detail my truck inside and out at least every two weeks.
 
I take my truck/cars to the car wash. I leave the engine running when doing this and first spray some Scrubbing Bubbles Multi Surface Cleaner in the engine bay and on the underside of the hood and then power wash it. Do not get too close and stay away rom electrical.
 
Thanks

Ok so, simple green, low pressure and a sensible distance. In this photo i've marked the areas i think i should avoid. The unmarked areas seem ok to me. If im wrong please let me know.
 

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I also use simple green. Spray it on, let it soak in, brush scrub what you can get at, rinse it off. Pressure washer helps some, but in my experience it will never get clean. And the mud I get into is everywhere and permanently stains.
 
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When done cleaning don't forget to finish off with 303 aerospace protectant on the plastics to keep them looking good and from fading.


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TRDprofan said:
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When done cleaning don't forget to finish off with 303 aerospace protectant on the plastics to keep them looking good and from fading.
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How is that possible? A sure sign of a sick mind. What did you do get a few drops of rain in there while the hood was open and got a little obsessive? We really need to see the before photo!
 
DEERUNNER said:
I also use simple green. Spray it on, let it soak in, brush scrub what you can get at, rinse it off. Pressure washer helps some, but in my experience it will never get clean. And the mud I get into is everywhere and permanently stains.
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Same.

I have a white T4R so brown/black mud is very noticeable in the engine bay.

I actually got a thin microfiber duster - its about 24" long 1.5" wide and 1/4" thick. I soak it in simple green and can get into areas I couldn't ordinarily reach, but it's been about 4 months since my last significant mud bath and I still have >50% of the white paint in my engine bay stained with mud.

The plastic, however, looks great :)
 
I generally use a low pressure shower setting on the hose nozzle, apply P21S Total Auto Wash and take a tire brush to the areas I can reach, rinse, then apply Adam's VRT or Armor All tire foam.
 
DEERUNNER said:
How is that possible? A sure sign of a sick mind. What did you do get a few drops of rain in there while the hood was open and got a little obsessive? We really need to see the before photo!
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I am a detailer so I clean on a very regular basis so that it's not hard to keep looking good. Inside and out I keep my vehicles like new to the best of my ability. I'm sure it's a bit OCD.


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TRDprofan said:
I am a detailer so I clean on a very regular basis so that it's not hard to keep looking good. Inside and out I keep my vehicles like new to the best of my ability. I'm sure it's a bit OCD.


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There is just something about having a clean engine compartment, I just love a clean engine, that thing is looking squeaky clean though.
 
You should be able to clean it without any worries. All of the electrical connection have O rings and are water tight. Just don't get stuuuupid.
The areas marked are fine as well, unless you remove the cover.

Mine has been washed with pressure numerous times without any adverse affects.
 
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