What do you use to clean the engine bay? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

YotaRunner4 · 07-31-2009, 05:25 AM

Curious as to what others are using? I used some cleaner from AutoZone (Engine Bright or something like that - can't exactly rememebr the name) on my Camry. I sprayed it all over like the directions said and when I sprayed it off, it removed the red paint that detailed the words VVT-I on the engine shroud. I wasn't too happy. Anyways, I don't want this to happen to the HL.

ronsec · 07-31-2009, 05:49 AM

I use Simple Green.

Warr1202 · 07-31-2009, 07:06 AM

I have been using Pledge. I got the idea form the car shows where the guys use pledge on everything including under the hood.

Now this is assumming there is no heavy grease build-up. If it was really dirty I would use something like Simple Green or maybe just W40 to get rid of heavy grime and maintain with pledge. I like the new one for all surfaces.

YotaRunner4 · 07-31-2009, 10:07 AM

So, using Simple Green, do you spray it on, let it soak, then rinse? I've used SG before, but never on a car...

ronsec · 08-01-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YotaRunner4

So, using Simple Green, do you spray it on, let it soak, then rinse? I've used SG before, but never on a car...

That's exactly how I do it. Sometimes I mist a little water on it to keep it from drying out. Also works good for brake dust on mag wheels!

DeWat · 08-01-2009, 09:59 AM

There is another thread similar to this one. The difference being that the other thread is more of the "how to" while this thread is more of the "what to use". I've never cleaned my own engine before, and am thinking about trying the Simple Green route on my '08 Highlander. Am I reading correctly that it is ok to pop the hood, cover the alternator, and spray with a garden hose?

DeWat

***eyeball96*** · 08-01-2009, 11:17 AM

Purple Power works well too! Spray on, let soak a few minutes, hose off!

knj27 · 08-02-2009, 03:30 AM

I'm never a fan of spraying the engine with a hose, even if the alternator is covered. There's plenty of other spots water could make it's way in to that it normally wouldn't.

skuttduck · 08-02-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knj27

I'm never a fan of spraying the engine with a hose, even if the alternator is covered. There's plenty of other spots water could make it's way in to that it normally wouldn't.

I was leary of that too, then my uncle (who works on cars), said "What do you think happens when you drive the car in the rain?"

I've done simple green, the degreaser at the car wash, and then most recently I used some turtle wax tire cleaner.

This particular tire cleaner said it is safe to use on all exterior black plastics on the can, so I figured, what the hell. My hoses, and wires have never looked so good.

The majority of the engine bay was cleaned well with the tire cleaner at the car wash. I did not use the high pressure washer to rinse this off. Just drove to the car wash, opened the hood it it with the tire cleaner/engine degreaser, washed the rest of the car, and used the light mist to remove.

Worked great on 9 years of grime under the hood.

***eyeball96*** · 08-02-2009, 06:56 AM

I've been hosing off engines in my Vehicles for 40 years...never had a problem.

You can't be overly aggressive, and drown the engine with 50 gallons of water tho!

I cover the alternator with a plastic bag, and avoid directly spraying the electrics, fuse boxes and such.

knj27 · 08-02-2009, 04:53 PM

I don't think rainwater makes its way into all the places a blast from the hose would, but doing it delicately with the hose is fine, especially if it is warm out and it is going to dry quickly anyway.

But driving a 4x4 truck I've never been worried about dirt on the engine. If there's grease everywhere that sucks when you try to work on it, but I've never had that problem so I've never worried too much about cleaning it.

Although I will say if you go seriously in the mud and cake it all over then engine that's not gonna be good when you try to work on it either...

nov0798 · 08-02-2009, 05:17 PM

Ive never covered alternators. There is no reason they cant get wet! Again, I would drown the thing, but spraying them off wont hurt them.

gameguru1360 · 08-05-2009, 03:09 PM

I've been using Simple Green as well as Black Magic. The Black Magic says that you can spray it on and walk away but you can lightly use water to wash away some of the grime lifted by the Black Magic.

eddie926 · 08-06-2009, 11:07 AM

Be careful using Simple Green. It can stain aluminum and stainless steel. I'd be especially careful using it on wheels. May work fine on some wheels, but could ruin others.

Rapid Roy · 08-06-2009, 08:41 PM

This thread has a great description with pictures about detailing your engine compartment.

Finally got my engine bay finished