Engine bay cleaning

[SkylineGTRracer]

I love keeping my truck clean but the engine bay is now dirty with mud and stuff. I was wondering if it is okay to pressure wash with degreaser without hurting the electronics. I done it with my rav4 and no problems but I just making sure so I dont fubar my truck. thanks.

 

[t4r4life]

i wanna know too, bump

 

[audiqtr]

yes, you can use a Pressure Washer. Start from far and get as close as you can, but not too much. You'll get a better feel for it when you are in there. Cover any suspect electrical components and don't put the pressurized stream directly on them.

once you pressure washed, you can use soapy water and than rinse.

Use degreaser if there are still dirty parts left after you rinsed. From my experience, degreasers ripoff the original factory coating on parts that naturally protect the parts. Once you use degreaser, you are gonna have to keep doing it frequently to keep those parts from fading and in good shape.

once you are all done, you can shine all teh rubber and plastics with a dressing, Tire shine works just fine and is the most affordable option.

Do it at your own risk. Hope this helps.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

yes, you can use a Pressure Washer. Start from far and get as close as you can, but not too much. You'll get a better feel for it when you are in there. Cover any suspect electrical components and don't put the pressurized stream directly on them.

once you pressure washed, you can use soapy water and than rinse.

Use degreaser if there are still dirty parts left after you rinsed. From my experience, degreasers ripoff the original factory coating on parts that naturally protect the parts. Once you use degreaser, you are gonna have to keep doing it frequently to keep those parts from fading and in good shape.

once you are all done, you can shine all teh rubber and plastics with a dressing, Tire shine works just fine and is the most affordable option.

Do it at your own risk. Hope this helps.

Thanks I give it a try!

 

[MikesToy]

i spray a whole can of Gunk degreaser all over the engine bay first before i pressure wash.

 

[Uneek]

I spray it down with Simple Green and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse off. After that, start the engine and drive around or idle until warm and the water has dried off. You don't want to leave it wet for slow drying because the water beads will leave white corroded spots on aluminum parts.

The only thing I would be careful with a pressure washer is around electrical connectors. You don't want to force water into those connections. A toothbrush would be much safer. But a pressure washer will save a lot of time and energy.

 

[dina]

i use 1:10 ratio of meguiars super degreaser[red] with distilled water.

this is very strong and you should not let it dry or sit for more than 3 mins.

i rinse down and do spot cleaning with a toothbrush on the hard caked on grease.

then i finish up with aerospace 303.

 

[VNT]

i use the power wash, from the distance and just like Uneek I do use the simple green, works great

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I just use the regular pressure and never pull the trigger and spray as I'm leary of water getting where I don't want it but most of the time I clean the bay at home. I clean mine at least several times a year and after off road trips which helps keep buildup down and subsequent cleanings are easier.

 

[K.C.]

I only use a regular pressure garden hose to spray down the engine bay.

 

[Brian32]

I only use a regular pressure garden hose to spray down the engine bay.

me to.. i was told my a mechanic to stay away from the spark plugs and the wires around the fuse box..

 

[MikesToy]

I spray mine down in and around. I have a V8 and i don't see if any wires other than the battery. Everything is pretty much hoses, plastic, and metal lines. Even the spark plugs are plastic/rubber covered tight in a slanting position. If i had a prob, i'd be first to post here.

 

[VNT]

Mike, ur engine looks nice and clean.

 

[Darklight]

Wow those are some clean engine bays:wow2:! Mine is usually stained by all of the red clay we have here in the Carolinas as is the underbody. Unless i do a real good cleaning and detailing of hoses and everything i can reach. I do clean it out after some wheelin with water hose and simple green solution but i am extra careful now. Not to make you worry but when i cleaned out my engine bay last November i got a squeel that stayed with my vehicle upon start up to engine off. This has only happened to a handfull of people with FJ's and V6 engine's after some water crossing/ mudding/cleaning. No real problem just the noise. I brought it in to the service department to look at and they replaced the idle pulley system under warranty. These are the bearing type wheels behind the radiator with a belt on them. When i asked them what could of caused it they told me they just went bad like it was no big deal. I might of sprayed a little to much wawa through my radiator to make sure i was getting all of the mud and stuff out. Not sure but i use and used Simple Green solution diluted with water, a little soaky soak and a blast of water here and there and you should be good. I cover up the battery/fusebox/master cylinder with a plastic bag just to be safe. i then use a paper towel or shop towel dampened with water to wipe around these areas and to help dry off everything. Take it for a spin for a minute to get some air through there. Hope that helps.

 

[Jed]

I've used the pressure washer at one of those self-service car washes without any problems. I've actually left the engine running while I sprayed the hell out of it. I've never had any issues yet and the dirt comes off a hot engine much easier than if it was cold.

 

[Maz]

I "cheat" and have it done professionally. Over the years I've used different people, but one thing seems to remain the same. They all keep the engine running and stand away using lower pressure.

When possible they also use soft brushes rather than degreaser. That allows them to avoid using a lot of water, and particularly to avoid using much water pressure. In fact I've never seen one use degreaser, and question whether that's really a good idea. As another poster mentioned that stuff changes the coatings on your parts.

I think it's a terrible idea to do this on a hot engine. After all you're throwing cold water all over a hot block. I have them do the engine first as it's warming up. That way the cold water is hitting a cold block and you avoid the rapid temperature change. As far as the hot engine cleaning better it's your choice. Work a little more with the brushes, or take an a chance on something that isn't necessary in the first place.

Lastly I don't use the engine shine stuff. Frankly a well cleaned engine looks better, or at least it looks more like a new engine. Secondly that stuff actually attracts dust and dirt sticks to it easier. The funny thing is using material to make the engine shinier, actually also makes it get dirty sooner.