Cleaning Underneath the Hood... Best Way

[cgarrett5119]

For those of you that are picky about cleaning underneath the hood, how do you go about it? Mine is filthy with dust, etc.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Go to a coin car wash with a bottle of simple green. Spray simple green all over engine bay, use spot free rinse to rinse clean. You can use your hose at home but you may get some water spots.

Done.

The alternator will be fine if you get a little water on it. Just use common sence when rinsing. Don't spray directly at sensitive components with full rinse pressure. I light rinse will get the simple green and dirt all off.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I lightly spray down the engine compartment with the spray nozzle on a garden hose avoiding the alternator and other electrical devices. I then dry it off with a towel. Still looks like new after 9 years and many dusty trail rides. I do not have salt on the roads or any mud here in the desert so that may make yours worse. I only have tons of dust.

 

[snowbrdr033]

Simple green for the sensitive areas and don't "force" water into places that it shouldn't be. Be careful, try to avoid the fuse box as well :gun4:

 

[Hitdog540]

Simply green and I like using my 2 gallon pump sprayer. I'm not forcing water like with the garden hose.

 

[Stuffman]

Cheap engine foam from a spray can and garden hose. I dont use vehicle for at least 1 hour after spraying the engine down.

 

[Gatafly]

I like to use a heavy mixture of Dawn dish soap and water (about 25% dawn to 75% water) and spray the whole engine and compartment down. Let sit for a few minutes and spray with hose, not pressure washer. Works great and leaves the black hoses looking like new.

 

[galactic_04]

I like how everyone avoids the alternator when I've driven through rivers in the old 4runner without issue (not saying it's ideal conditions)... avoid fuse boxes and stuff

A lot of car lots don't even really reach down in there at all. They'll degrease with simple green or even brake cleaner for the bad stuff then use tire foam to shine it all up. I've started using the same stuff I use on the bike, a waterless carwash. This stuff works great and I've never had a scratch from it: Waterless Spray-On Car Wash - Cleaners - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage

I'm pretty meticulous about swirls and scratches since I don't like to break out the buffer more than I have to. I've used this in the cold winter months on the cars and on my motorcycle for a while now and love it!

 

[Flyer]

I use a gentle stream of water from a garden hose with the faucet turned down low...more like a strong trickle. I then wipe it down as much as possible. I also avoid anything that looks like wires or a fuse box. I probably do this twice a year since it does not get very dirty.