How to clean engine bay?

[Blackhawk3D]

I would like to clean my engine bay? What should I use? How have you guys done it? Degreaser and a toothbrush?

[ToyotaToday]

Originally Posted by Blackhawk3D

I would like to clean my engine bay? What should I use? How have you guys done it? Degreaser and a toothbrush?

I just use a clean cloth and brush, no solvents. I'm not sure how dirty your engine bay is.

[DAMON]

yeah depending on how bad it is, you may want to use some simple green and let that sit for a minute... then hose it off. youve gotta remember to cover the things that cant get wet though- i did it yesterday and covered the distributor cap, air filter, alternator and battery.

try a search, there is a lot of info on this subject

[mrlevis]

I used this on my 95 Impala SS. This works really good. I never had a problem with it collecting dust either. I have used simple green on the stubborn areas

1) On a hot/warm engine, spray the entire engine compartment down with Windex. Close the hood and wait @ 3-5 minutes.

2) Lift the hood and mist the engine compartment with water. Now spray the entire area with Armor All. Close the cowl and again wait 3-5 minutes.

3) Repeat the Windex and Armor All application again. Now, after the second coat of Armor All, close up the engine compartment and wash and detail the exterior of your car.

4)When you are finished, open the hood and wipe down any excess Armor All.

[DAMON]

^ i wouldnt spray a hot engine with a cold water

[Obelix]

yep ! you only wash a cold engine...

[DAMON]

unless you liked cracked blocks and headers, then by all means go for it!

[mrlevis]

You are misting the engine...not soaking it with cold water. This is how detailers get your engine clean.

[Hawkeye-SE]

Originally Posted by mrlevis

You are misting the engine...not soaking it with cold water. This is how detailers get your engine clean.

No... no, its not.

Windex is NO WHERE near any detailers kit. Not on any surface, EVER.

Want a deep engine detail? Here is my method.

1) Engine should be warm (not hot) to the touch.
2) Remove all dry debris like leaves and shit by hand.
3) Cover coil packs, MAF, air filter, sensors, ect... with saran wrap or ziplocks. Secure with rubber bands. Aluminum foil works really well here too.
4) Spray the engine comptarment with light stream of water, you don't need to blast.
5) Apply degreaser. 303 aerospace cleaner or another citrus based cleaner is best. Simple green can stain rubber and corrode aluminum... don't use it. Work from the bottom of the engine compartment up.
6) Brush if necessary.
7) Hose the shit off.
8) Start the car and let it run for a few minutes.... finish drying with a towel.
9) Use a quick detailer on all the paint.
10) Then detail the rubber, vinyl, plastic, ect with a protectant like 303 aerospace protectant.
11) Give everything a final wipe down.

DONE.

Fyi - do above at your own risk... I am not responsible if you fuck your car up.

[ToyotaToday]

I would wipe the engine (while warm) with a rag first before any chemicals/water is applied. Always remove as much excess as possible by clean cloth (no degreaser, etc). Then I would apply a degreaser if absolutely necessary ON the rag to clean the remaining, never mist or spray anything to the engine bay. Mist may overspray and contact with rubber/plastic parts which will deteriorate the plastic. But then again, this is me, being super picky.

If you engine bay is not very dirty, dont bother with any degreaser, etc.. Just use a rag and brush to clean. I always done this since day one to keep the engine bay clean and it's sparkling.

[Klutch]

I just pop the hood while I'm washing and give it a quick blast on the rinse. Generally the car wash uses hot water during the rinse. I never cover anything just don't soak the hell out of it and don't do it very often.

Engine bay always looks new and It's never messed with anything....

[Darchrow Enigma]

why do i need to mess with the xterior paint if i'm degreasing the interior engine bay?