Semi-simple Way To Clean Engine Bay

[peter78]

After 43,000 miles I noticed my engine bay was a little dirty. I have used the heavy de-greasers that you put on a hot engine, but I was afraid to put it on this semi-new engine. Then I read a fellow members Web Site (Turboale) and it talked about using Simple Green cleaner.

http://homepage.mac.com/turboale/Engine.htm

Today is a beautiful day in Atlanta and I decided to try that trick. I found Simple Green and Simple Green Automotive and went with the automotive stuff. I like being able to clean every nook and cranny and with a cold engine, I could get into every corner.

Before

 

[peter78]

After

 

[peter78]

Turboale thanks for the advice.

 

[turboale]

No prob!
Thats what we are here for! Isn't the internet the best!

 

[jharris2]

I'm surprised that the battery was all you had to cover. Did you just use a hose or a pressure washer on it??

Thanks!

 

[peter78]

Well, I didn't exactly follow Turboale's advice to the letter. Simple Green says do small areas at a time. I wet the whole area down with a garden hose and then worked on one area at a time and then washed down that area. I started with the hood first and then the fire wall and just continued on. At the end I even cleaned the battery, (that I left uncovered). I used the hose sparingly and used no pressure on the hose.

It worked so good I decided to clean my other two cars and they have a lot more mileage. If I condsider my 4Runner with 43,000 miles, semi-new then my Acura at 187,000 is semi-ancient.

I have used Gunk on hot engines and that works pretty well, Simple Green was more for the whole engine bay including things like brackets, hoses, inside of the hood, heck I cleaned anything I could see and a few things I couldn't.:blulaugh:

 

[turboale]

Oh cool,
I didn't know there was an automotive one. I'll have to get that next time around. My friend that gave me the idea used a pressure washer, I just am a bit weary about spraying high pressure water into my engine bay. I mean... obviously there is water and dirt getting in there... but... idono, just the idea is a little scary.

 

[Larry]

You can finish the job off by using a towel and Pledge furniture polish.

Just spray it on and wipe it off before it completely dries.

I will keep a battery like new until the day it dies, without using grease or WD-40.

I have an 84 Honda Civic with 360k miles and the engine and battery looks great.

It's good at keeping the masater cylinder looking new, too.

Anyway, try it out and let us know what you think.