Best way to clean Engine Bay

[Java]

Hey Viper,

What is the best/easiest way to clean the engine and surrounding components?

Engine Degreaser? Steam Cleaner? Other?

[repiv]

If it's not extremely dirty, I hook up my garden hose to the hot water tap and spray the whole engine bay with hot water. Make sure the engine is cool when you do this. Ease up on the water pressure when you hit the electrical harnesses. No need to cover them up as they are all "water-resistent" couplings anyway. The hot water will heat up the oily bits and flush it all away. (For the truly stubborn bits, use Engine Gunk sparingly and scrub a bit.) Now I take a spray bottle of Windex and spray the whole engine bay with it, using a bit more in those areas that are still stained with oily film. I'll take a soft brush or cloth and give those parts a bit of elbow grease. Then a final good spray with hot water. The Windex will help it all dry relatively spot free. Once done, fire up the engine and let it idle. The engine heat will dry the bulk of the bay quite nicely.
Most car detailers will warn you against using degreasers as these are too harsh on the rubber components and the painted surfaces. Steam is also a bit too hot and can weaken the same components that the chemical degreasers will.

[svatne]

Just for safety's sake, I always cover the alternator with some aluminum foil just to keep water, degreaser, etc. out of it. Easy to do and cheap insurance.

[XLevel]

I've always liked Orange Clean and now they have a foaming version which would be perfect for oil deposits where the liquid would run off. Spray on, brush or wipe where needed, rinse off. Be careful of machined edges. I once cut my hand at a car show on a machined piece and didn't know. Got blood all over my dash etc. and then asked everyone else who did it. :loser: It was such a clean cut, I had no idea.

[David W]

Just did mine. Mist cold engine with water after covering alternator and battery top with foil and putting rag in air intake (when i finished it was very wet) then spray with Orange Clean. Wipe down with microfiber cloth and appropriate sized brushs where needed. Don't forget underside of hood.

Rinse with spray of hose. Remove cloth. Close hood and run engine ten minutes. Wipe out any remaining water.

Spray engine compartment with favorite protectant. Close hood. Run engine 10 minutes. Use microfiber to dry remaining protectant.

Took less than an hour but my engine (23,000 miles) wasn't very dirty and it looks better than new.

[Wanderer]

Mist cold engine with water after covering alternator and battery top with foil and putting rag in air intake (when i finished it was very wet) then spray with Orange Clean. Wipe down with microfiber cloth and appropriate sized brushs where needed. Don't forget underside of hood.


Um... You might want to rethink covering the battery with foil. That battery packs quite a punch...

[cdelena]

I just use the wand car wash. If you use common sense to not direct high pressure at critical openings it works fine. I have done this on many dozens of cars over forty years and have never had a problem.

[David W]

Um... You might want to rethink covering the battery with foil. That battery packs quite a punch...

Right. I actually used saran wrap on battery. Hope no one uses foil and sues me

[genghiskwong]

What about the old Gunk/armor-all technique?

don't remember the specifics except it was spray both liberally, crank engine, enjoy.

[genghiskwong]

found it

Wait for the engine to cool down. Spray the engine with Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner. Let it sit for 15 minutes. After that spray the engine down. Immediately after that use the foamy armor all for tires (DO NOT use the liquid armor all) and spray the complete engine bay. Start the car and let the engine run for 20 minutes WITH the hood shut. (At this time wash the exterior) after 20 minutes open the hook and... Looks just like it came out of the factory.

[JGard]

found it

That's an interesting technique. If it works, then all the better! :) I'm thinking I may try that...of course, that is, if I still can remember it when it's finally warm enough outside for me to think about washing my car :)

[bimdub]

yeah the "armour all" technique is used by a lot of car dealers on used cars....

it looks great but I stay away from armour all.....there are much better protectants out there that would work better and not accidentally end up on your dash or leather...leading to cracking years later....and collecting dust in the meantime!