Washing the engine and compartment in a Corolla

The engine and other components under the hood in my Corolla are getting
pretty coated with dust and grit. I don't drive in sandy conditions, but it
almost seems like the components, especially the plastic engine cover,
attract and hold dust. I want to clean up in there because of the potential
of grit getting into things it can cause problems with.

I am thinking that with a relatively cool engine, I should be able to direct
first a soapy, gentle spray then a gentle rinse spray downward over the
engine and other components, but I am worried that water might get where it
isn't supposed to and short something. Is this a reasonable concern? If
so, is there any better way of cleaning under the hood than just wiping
everything down?

On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:41:20 -0500, Ernie Sty wrote:
[color=blue]
> The engine and other components under the hood in my Corolla are getting
> pretty coated with dust and grit. I don't drive in sandy conditions, but it
> almost seems like the components, especially the plastic engine cover,
> attract and hold dust. I want to clean up in there because of the potential
> of grit getting into things it can cause problems with.
>
> I am thinking that with a relatively cool engine, I should be able to direct
> first a soapy, gentle spray then a gentle rinse spray downward over the
> engine and other components, but I am worried that water might get where it
> isn't supposed to and short something. Is this a reasonable concern? If
> so, is there any better way of cleaning under the hood than just wiping
> everything down?[/color]


Shoot, man I spray 'em down with the stuff called Slam (like Castrol's All
Purpose cleaner) direct right from the bottle and then hose 'em down with
a high pressure washer, just like in the car wash! Then I wash the rest of
the car and jump in and stert it up!

HOWEVER! on my '85 Corolla and my '88 Supra, this didn't work so well.
Seemt the newer ones are more tolerant of harsh conditions than the older
ones.

If you want, leave the engine running and stay away from the air intake!

On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:23:50 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:41:20 -0500, Ernie Sty wrote:
>[color=green]
>> The engine and other components under the hood in my Corolla are getting
>> pretty coated with dust and grit. I don't drive in sandy conditions, but it
>> almost seems like the components, especially the plastic engine cover,
>> attract and hold dust. I want to clean up in there because of the potential
>> of grit getting into things it can cause problems with.
>>
>> I am thinking that with a relatively cool engine, I should be able to direct
>> first a soapy, gentle spray then a gentle rinse spray downward over the
>> engine and other components, but I am worried that water might get where it
>> isn't supposed to and short something. Is this a reasonable concern? If
>> so, is there any better way of cleaning under the hood than just wiping
>> everything down?[/color]
>
>
>Shoot, man I spray 'em down with the stuff called Slam (like Castrol's All
>Purpose cleaner) direct right from the bottle and then hose 'em down with
>a high pressure washer, just like in the car wash! Then I wash the rest of
>the car and jump in and stert it up!
>
>HOWEVER! on my '85 Corolla and my '88 Supra, this didn't work so well.
>Seemt the newer ones are more tolerant of harsh conditions than the older
>ones.
>
>If you want, leave the engine running and stay away from the air intake![/color]

A word of warning....

Using pressure water in the engine compartment can get water in the
spark plug holes and cause massive miss....

btdt...

--

Scott in Florida

"Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
news:l8rak19q783a8fgrquahbgdt5haad2m3qc@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:23:50 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:41:20 -0500, Ernie Sty wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> The engine and other components under the hood in my Corolla are getting
>>> pretty coated with dust and grit. I don't drive in sandy conditions,
>>> but it
>>> almost seems like the components, especially the plastic engine cover,
>>> attract and hold dust. I want to clean up in there because of the
>>> potential
>>> of grit getting into things it can cause problems with.
>>>
>>> I am thinking that with a relatively cool engine, I should be able to
>>> direct
>>> first a soapy, gentle spray then a gentle rinse spray downward over the
>>> engine and other components, but I am worried that water might get where
>>> it
>>> isn't supposed to and short something. Is this a reasonable concern?
>>> If
>>> so, is there any better way of cleaning under the hood than just wiping
>>> everything down?[/color]
>>
>>
>>Shoot, man I spray 'em down with the stuff called Slam (like Castrol's All
>>Purpose cleaner) direct right from the bottle and then hose 'em down with
>>a high pressure washer, just like in the car wash! Then I wash the rest of
>>the car and jump in and stert it up!
>>
>>HOWEVER! on my '85 Corolla and my '88 Supra, this didn't work so well.
>>Seemt the newer ones are more tolerant of harsh conditions than the older
>>ones.
>>
>>If you want, leave the engine running and stay away from the air intake![/color]
>
> A word of warning....
>
> Using pressure water in the engine compartment can get water in the
> spark plug holes and cause massive miss....
>
> btdt...
>
> --
>
> Scott in Florida[/color]

I think I saw on Discovery Channel Mythbusters that Coke was an excellent
engine cleaner.
I also think Hachiroki must have been very lucky, more than me.
I do not recommend having the engine running, I think you should wait till
the engine is cool so you don't risk a cracked exhaust manifold.etc. from
the water spray on the hottest parts.
And I have learned to avoid spraying water into (on) alternator,
distributor, air intake, headlamps and brake fluid reservoir. Be especially
careful with high pressure spraying, it can force water past seals and may
damage (old) rubber parts.
Start the engine soon afterwards so it dries up.

Asbjørn

I don't use the pressure washer but usually hose off after spaying
with some type of cleaner. Only problem was years ago with old
wires - not any for 20 years but watch alternator etc.

I use Simple Green on a cold engine with a small brush (tooth brush)
one section at a time, being very careful to avoid areas that should
not receive water.
Then rinse with a garden hose turned on just about as low as possible.
Having replaced all the necessary gaskets and seals, engine now stays
very clean.

Perhaps you might want to lift the hood on your vehicle and look at how wet
everything is under there after you have driven in a hard rain or snow
storm, if that is what you believe. ;)


mike hunt


"Asbjørn" <asbjust@frisurf.no> wrote in message
news:5KSdnQxX6qIrGdje4p2dnA@telenor.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
> news:l8rak19q783a8fgrquahbgdt5haad2m3qc@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:23:50 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:41:20 -0500, Ernie Sty wrote:
>>>
>>>> The engine and other components under the hood in my Corolla are
>>>> getting
>>>> pretty coated with dust and grit. I don't drive in sandy conditions,
>>>> but it
>>>> almost seems like the components, especially the plastic engine cover,
>>>> attract and hold dust. I want to clean up in there because of the
>>>> potential
>>>> of grit getting into things it can cause problems with.
>>>>
>>>> I am thinking that with a relatively cool engine, I should be able to
>>>> direct
>>>> first a soapy, gentle spray then a gentle rinse spray downward over the
>>>> engine and other components, but I am worried that water might get
>>>> where it
>>>> isn't supposed to and short something. Is this a reasonable concern?
>>>> If
>>>> so, is there any better way of cleaning under the hood than just wiping
>>>> everything down?
>>>
>>>
>>>Shoot, man I spray 'em down with the stuff called Slam (like Castrol's
>>>All
>>>Purpose cleaner) direct right from the bottle and then hose 'em down with
>>>a high pressure washer, just like in the car wash! Then I wash the rest
>>>of
>>>the car and jump in and stert it up!
>>>
>>>HOWEVER! on my '85 Corolla and my '88 Supra, this didn't work so well.
>>>Seemt the newer ones are more tolerant of harsh conditions than the older
>>>ones.
>>>
>>>If you want, leave the engine running and stay away from the air intake![/color]
>>
>> A word of warning....
>>
>> Using pressure water in the engine compartment can get water in the
>> spark plug holes and cause massive miss....
>>
>> btdt...
>>
>> --
>>
>> Scott in Florida[/color]
>
> I think I saw on Discovery Channel Mythbusters that Coke was an excellent
> engine cleaner.
> I also think Hachiroki must have been very lucky, more than me.
> I do not recommend having the engine running, I think you should wait till
> the engine is cool so you don't risk a cracked exhaust manifold.etc. from
> the water spray on the hottest parts.
> And I have learned to avoid spraying water into (on) alternator,
> distributor, air intake, headlamps and brake fluid reservoir. Be
> especially careful with high pressure spraying, it can force water past
> seals and may damage (old) rubber parts.
> Start the engine soon afterwards so it dries up.
>
> Asbjørn
>[/color]

On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 20:56:00 +0000, ron wrote:
[color=blue]
> I don't use the pressure washer but usually hose off after spaying
> with some type of cleaner. Only problem was years ago with old
> wires - not any for 20 years but watch alternator etc.[/color]

Aw, i soak everything. With the newer cars it isn't much of a problem.

I've done HUNDREDS of them!

(Switching to top posting for the moment)
Yes I expected that response, and I have seen that.
It is nothing compared to what a maniac (my neighbor) with a waterhose can
do through an open hood.
I have seen brand new alternators killed due to water spray, and I have had
to dry out distributors to get started again. Water in the headlamps tend
to stay and water in the brake fluid is bad, both makes rust.
I think not all of us are lucky all the time. (Hachiroku ?).

unlucky Asbjørn


"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:puucnUuZGoPmN9jeUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=blue]
> Perhaps you might want to lift the hood on your vehicle and look at how
> wet everything is under there after you have driven in a hard rain or snow
> storm, if that is what you believe. ;)
>
>
> mike hunt
>
>
> "Asbjørn" <asbjust@frisurf.no> wrote in message
> news:5KSdnQxX6qIrGdje4p2dnA@telenor.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
>> news:l8rak19q783a8fgrquahbgdt5haad2m3qc@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>>> On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:23:50 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:41:20 -0500, Ernie Sty wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> The engine and other components under the hood in my Corolla are
>>>>> getting
>>>>> pretty coated with dust and grit. I don't drive in sandy conditions,
>>>>> but it
>>>>> almost seems like the components, especially the plastic engine cover,
>>>>> attract and hold dust. I want to clean up in there because of the
>>>>> potential
>>>>> of grit getting into things it can cause problems with.
>>>>>
>>>>> I am thinking that with a relatively cool engine, I should be able to
>>>>> direct
>>>>> first a soapy, gentle spray then a gentle rinse spray downward over
>>>>> the
>>>>> engine and other components, but I am worried that water might get
>>>>> where it
>>>>> isn't supposed to and short something. Is this a reasonable concern?
>>>>> If
>>>>> so, is there any better way of cleaning under the hood than just
>>>>> wiping
>>>>> everything down?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Shoot, man I spray 'em down with the stuff called Slam (like Castrol's
>>>>All
>>>>Purpose cleaner) direct right from the bottle and then hose 'em down
>>>>with
>>>>a high pressure washer, just like in the car wash! Then I wash the rest
>>>>of
>>>>the car and jump in and stert it up!
>>>>
>>>>HOWEVER! on my '85 Corolla and my '88 Supra, this didn't work so well.
>>>>Seemt the newer ones are more tolerant of harsh conditions than the
>>>>older
>>>>ones.
>>>>
>>>>If you want, leave the engine running and stay away from the air intake!
>>>
>>> A word of warning....
>>>
>>> Using pressure water in the engine compartment can get water in the
>>> spark plug holes and cause massive miss....
>>>
>>> btdt...
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Scott in Florida[/color]
>>
>> I think I saw on Discovery Channel Mythbusters that Coke was an excellent
>> engine cleaner.
>> I also think Hachiroki must have been very lucky, more than me.
>> I do not recommend having the engine running, I think you should wait
>> till the engine is cool so you don't risk a cracked exhaust manifold.etc.
>> from the water spray on the hottest parts.
>> And I have learned to avoid spraying water into (on) alternator,
>> distributor, air intake, headlamps and brake fluid reservoir. Be
>> especially careful with high pressure spraying, it can force water past
>> seals and may damage (old) rubber parts.
>> Start the engine soon afterwards so it dries up.
>>
>> Asbjørn
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

On Fri, 07 Oct 2005 09:59:06 +0200, Asbjørn wrote:
[color=blue]
> (Switching to top posting for the moment)
> Yes I expected that response, and I have seen that.
> It is nothing compared to what a maniac (my neighbor) with a waterhose can
> do through an open hood.
> I have seen brand new alternators killed due to water spray, and I have had
> to dry out distributors to get started again. Water in the headlamps tend
> to stay and water in the brake fluid is bad, both makes rust.
> I think not all of us are lucky all the time. (Hachiroku ?).
>
> unlucky Asbjørn[/color]

Older cars don't hold up to it too well...[color=blue]
>
>
> "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:puucnUuZGoPmN9jeUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=green]
>> Perhaps you might want to lift the hood on your vehicle and look at how
>> wet everything is under there after you have driven in a hard rain or snow
>> storm, if that is what you believe. ;)
>>
>>
>> mike hunt
>>
>>
>> "Asbjørn" <asbjust@frisurf.no> wrote in message
>> news:5KSdnQxX6qIrGdje4p2dnA@telenor.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Scott in Florida" <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote in message
>>> news:l8rak19q783a8fgrquahbgdt5haad2m3qc@4ax.com...
>>>> On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:23:50 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:41:20 -0500, Ernie Sty wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> The engine and other components under the hood in my Corolla are
>>>>>> getting
>>>>>> pretty coated with dust and grit. I don't drive in sandy conditions,
>>>>>> but it
>>>>>> almost seems like the components, especially the plastic engine cover,
>>>>>> attract and hold dust. I want to clean up in there because of the
>>>>>> potential
>>>>>> of grit getting into things it can cause problems with.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am thinking that with a relatively cool engine, I should be able to
>>>>>> direct
>>>>>> first a soapy, gentle spray then a gentle rinse spray downward over
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> engine and other components, but I am worried that water might get
>>>>>> where it
>>>>>> isn't supposed to and short something. Is this a reasonable concern?
>>>>>> If
>>>>>> so, is there any better way of cleaning under the hood than just
>>>>>> wiping
>>>>>> everything down?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Shoot, man I spray 'em down with the stuff called Slam (like Castrol's
>>>>>All
>>>>>Purpose cleaner) direct right from the bottle and then hose 'em down
>>>>>with
>>>>>a high pressure washer, just like in the car wash! Then I wash the rest
>>>>>of
>>>>>the car and jump in and stert it up!
>>>>>
>>>>>HOWEVER! on my '85 Corolla and my '88 Supra, this didn't work so well.
>>>>>Seemt the newer ones are more tolerant of harsh conditions than the
>>>>>older
>>>>>ones.
>>>>>
>>>>>If you want, leave the engine running and stay away from the air intake!
>>>>
>>>> A word of warning....
>>>>
>>>> Using pressure water in the engine compartment can get water in the
>>>> spark plug holes and cause massive miss....
>>>>
>>>> btdt...
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Scott in Florida
>>>
>>> I think I saw on Discovery Channel Mythbusters that Coke was an excellent
>>> engine cleaner.
>>> I also think Hachiroki must have been very lucky, more than me.
>>> I do not recommend having the engine running, I think you should wait
>>> till the engine is cool so you don't risk a cracked exhaust manifold.etc.
>>> from the water spray on the hottest parts.
>>> And I have learned to avoid spraying water into (on) alternator,
>>> distributor, air intake, headlamps and brake fluid reservoir. Be
>>> especially careful with high pressure spraying, it can force water past
>>> seals and may damage (old) rubber parts.
>>> Start the engine soon afterwards so it dries up.
>>>
>>> Asbjørn
>>>[/color]
>>
>>[/color][/color]

"Asbjørn" <asbjust@frisurf.no> wrote in message
news:5KSdnQxX6qIrGdje4p2dnA@telenor.com...[color=blue]
>[/color]
[color=blue][color=green]
>>
>> Scott in Florida[/color]
>
> I think I saw on Discovery Channel Mythbusters that Coke was an excellent
> engine cleaner.[/color]

They used Coke and aluminum foil to scrub a chrome bumper, and it worked a
lot better than the chrome cleaner they used on another spot on the same
bumper. I do not recall them getting coke anywhere near the engine and I
think it would be a pretty bad idea. The sugar and acid in coke would not
assist in cleaning an engine and may harm some componants.

[color=blue]
> I also think Hachiroki must have been very lucky, more than me.
> I do not recommend having the engine running, I think you should wait till
> the engine is cool so you don't risk a cracked exhaust manifold.etc. from
> the water spray on the hottest parts.[/color]

Agreed.

[color=blue]
> And I have learned to avoid spraying water into (on) alternator,
> distributor, air intake, headlamps and brake fluid reservoir. Be
> especially careful with high pressure spraying, it can force water past
> seals and may damage (old) rubber parts.
> Start the engine soon afterwards so it dries up.
>
> Asbjørn[/color]


Thanks for the tips!