Engine bay Cleaning
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98OzarksRunner
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I take mine to the quarter car wash and spray down everything with the pressure wash, then rinse the soap off. I've never had any issues (and I've been doing that for years to cars - though I did wrap the open air filter on my Mustang to keep water out). I've either been lucky or the electrical connectors are well sealed. Just make sure the spark plug boots are down tight against the valve covers and try not to spray water directly into the alternator and you should be fine. I generally wash mine out about every month or so.
I used brake cleaner to clean up all the dust and dirt left on by the previous owner. Anyways.... Once a blue I will go ahead and spray simple green everywhere. Under the hood, engine the whole engine bay and rinse it fresh water from a garden hose. NO HIGH PRESSURE. Then quickly I would grab leaf blower and blow around battery, fuse box, alternator, spark plugs ect... Then I wipe everything down and use meguiars natural shine on all plastics and rubber. Clean all that of nicely. Then I use a wax on the hood, and sides of the engine bay and back of the engine bay and wipe everything thoroughly. I don't care , I keep my engine / engine bay as clean as possible. You could eat of it. !! My friends always make fun of me !!! But usually after a crash wash. I simply spray on plastic and ruber clean that then wax the metal. I try and avoid using water at all on engine. But once in a blue.
slimboiphat
New member
i took it for a steam pressure wash. came out squeaky clean. had no issue although nothing was covered. paid about $65 locally.
4Runner4TW
New member
Real simple [MENTION=106327]GVL[/MENTION] has the right idea. Cover the alternator, fuse box, and battery. I give mine a light rinse then spray it was Simple Green (can find it at any retailer like Wal Mart). I then go in with a small brush I bought specifically for the engine and scrub all the areas. Light rinse all the soap and grime away. Towel dry or even better air dry with compressed air. Then start her up to make sure its all in working order. I do mine once a month, actually just did it Thursday after it was covered in mud and dust from off roading.
Check this video out for a visual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESRJrB1L5I
Check this video out for a visual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESRJrB1L5I
4Runner4TW
New member
Real simple [MENTION=106327]GVL[/MENTION] has the right idea. Cover the alternator, fuse box, and battery. I give mine a light rinse then spray it was Simple Green (can find it at any retailer like Wal Mart). I then go in with a small brush I bought specifically for the engine and scrub all the areas. Light rinse all the soap and grime away. Towel dry or even better air dry with compressed air. Then start her up to make sure its all in working order. I do mine once a month, actually just did it Thursday after it was covered in mud and dust from off roading.
Check this video out for a visual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESRJrB1L5I
Check this video out for a visual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESRJrB1L5I
SR5Runner97
New member
Go outside, take some pics and come back with results :couch2:
Cytronus
New member
gentle steam clean - check local listings
For years, I've always taken my cars to a local steam cleaner in San Jose, CA.
They use a high pressure nozzle steam hose. The steam is mixed with a soapy degreaser to cut through the muck faster so as not to get the engine bay too soaked for too long. It's best to drive in with a hot /warm engine so the heat helps evaporate the moisture after the spray down. After steaming, wait 20 - 40 minutes before starting the car or inspect the ECU and electronic components for dryness before starting.
The heat and steam make it evaporate much more quickly than a cold hose rinse down. There are lots of these services around, usually coupled with car wash businesses. They typically offer engine top and bottom and undercarriage bottom cleaning. They put the vehicle up on a hydraulic lift outdoors and have at it.
Here's a photo from years back of my 1995 Accord getting steam cleaned. I had her done 3 times and never had an issue. My Infiniti G35 coupe has been done once, no issues. My T4R has been done once and looked brand spanking new afterwards and makes it a joy to work on cleanly. It also helps pin-point oil and tranny leaks if you have any. I'm due for another cleaning after all this summer's off-roading in Nevada.
For years, I've always taken my cars to a local steam cleaner in San Jose, CA.
They use a high pressure nozzle steam hose. The steam is mixed with a soapy degreaser to cut through the muck faster so as not to get the engine bay too soaked for too long. It's best to drive in with a hot /warm engine so the heat helps evaporate the moisture after the spray down. After steaming, wait 20 - 40 minutes before starting the car or inspect the ECU and electronic components for dryness before starting.
The heat and steam make it evaporate much more quickly than a cold hose rinse down. There are lots of these services around, usually coupled with car wash businesses. They typically offer engine top and bottom and undercarriage bottom cleaning. They put the vehicle up on a hydraulic lift outdoors and have at it.
Here's a photo from years back of my 1995 Accord getting steam cleaned. I had her done 3 times and never had an issue. My Infiniti G35 coupe has been done once, no issues. My T4R has been done once and looked brand spanking new afterwards and makes it a joy to work on cleanly. It also helps pin-point oil and tranny leaks if you have any. I'm due for another cleaning after all this summer's off-roading in Nevada.
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slapdappy
Banned
I wet it with hose, gentle pressure and shower pattern. I spray it top/bottom/sides with simple green's purple stuff. Let it soak but not dry. Thorough rinse top/bottom/sides. so far so good. I never blast it, just sort of bathe it. Gets a little cleaner each time. Not trying for perfect, just better than it was.
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