Engine bay cleaning?

[LagunaH1]

Hi everyone,

Probably a n00b question:

How do you guys keep your engines and engine bays clean? Mine has gotten pretty dusty and I don't like that.

Is it safe to just spray it down with a garden hose to get rid of the dust?

[LumberZach]

I would think so. I don't do much to clean mine out but I should.

I used to work at a car dealership and we used a pressure washer to dress the engines on used cars(2500 rams included). It had more power than a garden hose, but if you got more than 5 feet away it didn't do much. So not a true pressure washer, but that's basically what it was.

On a side note, does the fabric on your hood hold up? Mine looks like something got in there and tore it up even though I park inside.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LagunaH1]

On a side note, does the fabric on your hood hold up? Mine looks like something got in there and tore it up even though I park inside.

You mean the stuff on the underside of the hood? Yeah, it looks fine, haven't really paid much attention to it....

[DamageWagon]

LumberZach, if your truck is used it is likely that a serpentine belt let go and shredded the lining. My current and last truck had this.

LagunaH1, I use a garden hose and if things are greasy or oily I use a degreaser called Purple Power. It works very well for cleaning oils off, but if you use it in your engine bay make sure not to let it sit more than a minute at most on wires and aluminum. It can break down wire sheathing and corrodes aluminum to that white chalky appearance. A calmer version is to use Simple Green. I normally have my engine just a little warm when I wash it to help clean t and so that when i am done washing it the water will evaporate faster. I would not use a pressure washer, it's too easy to blow past a seal or shove water into a cavity where you don't want it. A garden hose can get up close and not hurt anything, but try not to soak your alternator or relays and make sure everything dries out. If you want to be really safe, disconnect the battery and hang the terminals a few inches away from the leads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ducky's Dad]

Warm engine, spray bottle of straight Simple Green, garden hose with a decent nozzle, old paint brush to swish the Simple Green on the stubborn spots. As long as you don't get carried away, you'll be fine. Start the engine after the cleaning and let it idle until everything gets good and hot, to prevent condensation. Or just go for a drive.

[olyelr]

Warm engine, spray bottle of straight Simple Green, garden hose with a decent nozzle, old paint brush to swish the Simple Green on the stubborn spots. As long as you don't get carried away, you'll be fine. Start the engine after the cleaning and let it idle until everything gets good and hot, to prevent condensation. Or just go for a drive.

This ^^^^^

[coder]

Here's what I do. On a cold engine cover the alternator and the fuse box with plastic bags, use a light spray of simple green over the engine bay, I hook my hose up to the hot water heater in the garage and give it a moderate spray-down with hot water. Then remove the plastic bags and take it for a drive to get ride of the water as soon as possible.

[Powerwagonmark]

Just spray some degreaser and hose it down. Should be safe I have had my trucks engine submerged many times never had a issue so a little spray from your garden hose shouldn't hurt.

[olyelr]

Just spray some degreaser and hose it down. Should be safe I have had my trucks engine submerged many times never had a issue so a little spray from your garden hose shouldn't hurt.

I would love to see your engine bay