Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

[The Dodge]

I'm newer to this forum so forgive me if this topic has been posted already, but I'm trying to determine what is the best way to clean my engine bay. I have a 2006 Dodge Magnum SE(2.7L) and a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500(5.7L) so they are fairly new vehicles. I have seen a ton of video's of guys spraying some cleaner on the engine, doing some scrubbing and then hosing of the engine. . .with NOTHING COVERED OR PROTECTED!!! Me and my little brain(keep the comments to yourself. . .) cannot understand how you can just "hose" down your engine without covering up some of the components. My engine bays/compartments are not filthy, but they could use a bath. Any suggestions(over all guidance and help) would be greatly appreciated!

[MADDetails]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

Ive literally blasted hundreds of engine compartments and never one a problem. Avoid spark plug tubes if you can and most other major electrical components. I like just blasting it with soap(no rinse), drive it home, spray down with armorall or whatever brand you perfer and once it all dries it looks all new and shiny.

[Innovative Detailing]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

Same here, 25 years of providing mobile services, I am discretional about which cars I will clean engines on. When I perform this service, I lightly spray APC+ in the engine compartment, brush lightly then flush with a light blast of the pressure washer. No pencil tip, a nice fan tip on the gun, backed off not too direct......spay down with Hyper dressing and blow dry for awesome results.....

[Tuck91]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

The key is to let the distance and fine mist of the pressure washer to aid in the cleaning.

[cnfowler]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

Same here, 25 years of providing mobile services, I am discretional about which cars I will clean engines on. When I perform this service, I lightly spray APC+ in the engine compartment, brush lightly then flush with a light blast of the pressure washer. No pencil tip, a nice fan tip on the gun, backed off not too direct......spay down with Hyper dressing and blow dry for awesome results.....

David is the man, so follow his advice. I basically do the same thing. All newer cars have weatherproof connectors and a rinse will not hurt anything. Use common sense, that's it.


Colin

[smittyingr]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

As a mechanic the main thing I tell people is to have the engine running while you blast it. Do not blast water on a hot engine just start it cold and start your power washing immediately. Then leave it running for about 5 minutes after you are done spraying it. This allows any water that got in to go right out with combustion and not pool in any cylinders or your intake. The greater WE feel this is very important.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

Every car is different and some motors are more likely to be damaged then others. For example that I have seen countless times. Anything with a GM LT1 350 which was not only Corvettes 92-96, Camaro/Firebird 93-97, there were other cars like the Buick Roadmasters and Chevy Caprice, and Impalas of the mid 90's which is quite a few cars.

They used a optical distributor that was located on the front of the engine, aka Optispark. They did their job in running the car but if you drowned them in water, you stood a good 90% chance of having to replace it and at the time a average parts store sold them for 500-600$ not including labor which was ripping the front of the motor down to the timing cover which is a decent amount of work.

Lets just say I am very hesitant on doing ANY spraying unless I KNOW the car. Modern LS series engine were MUCH better in dealing with this so I have no issues spraying down my 2000 Buick Century, 2002 Trans Am, and Wife's 2007 Chevy HHR which has the Ecotec 4 Cyl.

[Jprix82]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

When I spray the engine down with Hyper dressing,do I spray heavily(to the point it runs) and wait till it dries or lightly mist.?

[dixie_boysles]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

I always cover up my alternator, distribution box, and coil pack with aluminum foil to help protect it. Then I spray the engine with Simple Green while it is warm. Let it sit one a few minutes to degrease. Then take my waterhose and spray it down and a soft bristle wheel brush and scrub everything I can reach and then rinse again. I then let it air dry, then dry it with a clean towel. Then i take Natural Shine and wipe down all plastics.

This is the process I did last weekend and I got this result:

BEFORE:





AFTER WASH



AFTER NATURAL SHINE

[Blueline]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

A This allows any water that got in to go right out with combustion and not pool in any cylinders or your intake. .

One should never wash their engines with the cylinder heads off. This will prevent water from pooling in the cylinders.
I would really like to know how water would/could pool in the cylinders? (or even the intake for that matter)

[Jossy92]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

have the engine running while you blast it. ... just start it cold and start your power washing immediately.

For us guys with older cars: Should the foil stay on the alternator when starting the engine and spraying? Sounds like a good way to rinse. Advice appreciated.

[Jprix82]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

When I spray the engine down with Hyper dressing,do I spray heavily(to the point it runs) and wait till it dries or lightly mist.?

bump

[fer14]

Re: Cleaning My Engine Bay/Compartment, Help!

Same here, 25 years of providing mobile services, I am discretional about which cars I will clean engines on. When I perform this service, I lightly spray APC+ in the engine compartment, brush lightly then flush with a light blast of the pressure washer. No pencil tip, a nice fan tip on the gun, backed off not too direct......spay down with Hyper dressing and blow dry for awesome results.....

APC concentrate?