Engine Bay Cleaning

[Nevada_FJ]

Lets hear it how do you guys clean out the engine bay. Mine looks like a dust storm went of in it all though I am not a clean freak I would like to keep it looking nice. Yes, there are a few pages in the book on this but I wanted to hear from people that have tried it what they use and how they do it.

Thanks

[Corey]

Been cleaning engines this way for years.
If you opt to do it my way, I am not to be crucified if your engine does not start

Never ever have I had a problem doing it this way.
I always wash the engine down within a few days after off roading if its been on a dusty trail.

1. I never cover stuff under the hood.
2. I use Gunk Foamy Engine Brite, comes in an aerosol can.
3. Spray down everything under the hood with it, let sit for a few minutes while it does its thing.
4. (a) If using a garden hose, do not spray full force to knock off the Gunk spray, use just enough to remove it.
You can do a repeat too and spray on more Gunk.
(b) If at a coin op carwash, do not squeeze the trigger all the way, it is very forceful with the water and air coming out of the spray nozzle.
I only let the natural force of the water to touch anything under the hood when washing off the Gunk spray.
5. Start engine up and let run so it can dry off the components under the hood.
6. Never spray directly at your alternator, just mist around it lightly to wash away the Gunk spray.

[SCOTTUB]

My man Corey is most likely right. I had a day off two weeks ago and took the afternoon to revive my paint and glass. I opened the hood at the conclusion of my afternoon of wash, wax and polish to find my engine compartment was trashed. On the way home from a early night out I mentioned to my wife we were gonna stop at the spray wash and rinse off the engine. I pulled up in the bay, left it running and soap'd and rinsed it just fine. $3 worth of quarters and I use full power. This is the first time I've done this with the FJ but I've done it 100's of times with every other vehicle I've owned. Oh, and if you do this, don't forget the underside of the opened hood......

[Ripsnort]

For my BMW, I did the following:
Gunk foam (like corey), you can find this at any auto parts store. I sprayed the whole can in there, let it sit for 5 min then sprayed it off with pressure washer (not full trigger!No high pressure!) Then i followed up Griots Rubber and Vinyl protectant. Some professional auto detailers say to use WD-40 or Pledge. The only difference is that WD-40 might attract more dust over time.
I also covered the alternator. If you don't have a CAI you're just going to want to make sure that water isn't going to get inside the airbox.

Just remember that you don't want to spray electrical components for a long time. They technically are supposed to be waterproof, but....

[Spike Strip]

Corey previously said:

Been cleaning engines this way for years.
If you opt to do it my way, I am not to be crucified if your engine does not start

Never ever have I had a problem doing it this way.
I always wash the engine down within a few days after off roading if its been on a dusty trail.

1. I never cover stuff under the hood.
2. I use Gunk Foamy Engine Brite, comes in an aerosol can.
3. Spray down everything under the hood with it, let sit for a few minutes while it does its thing.
4. (a) If using a garden hose, do not spray full force to knock off the Gunk spray, use just enough to remove it.
You can do a repeat too and spray on more Gunk.
(b) If at a coin op carwash, do not squeeze the trigger all the way, it is very forceful with the water and air coming out of the spray nozzle.
I only let the natural force of the water to touch anything under the hood when washing off the Gunk spray.
5. Start engine up and let run so it can dry off the components under the hood.
6. Never spray directly at your alternator, just mist around it lightly to wash away the Gunk spray.

I do pretty much what Corey does, except I use SIMPLE GREEN, diluted to about 50% (100% if really dirty) ... Works great, and doesn't leave you with that hot-engine GUNK STINK that seems to take a couple of weeks to clear. GUNK works great when the engine is greasy, but if it's just dusty/muddy try the Simple Green. Also, SG won't kill the grass if you wash on the lawn, and won't sting your eyes when spray the under carriage

I use a pressure washer too, sometimes; just use the wide tip and don't get it too close to the electronics.

S.

[Corey]

I will have to try the Simple Green.
I have tons of it on hand, as I use it every time I wash the rig.

I spray the shocks, diffs, wheelwells, under carriage, ect, and it does a good job.

[kiskat23]

Spike Strip previously said:

I do pretty much what Corey does, except I use SIMPLE GREEN, diluted to about 50% (100% if really dirty) ... Works great, and doesn't leave you with that hot-engine GUNK STINK that seems to take a couple of weeks to clear. GUNK works great when the engine is greasy, but if it's just dusty/muddy try the Simple Green. Also, SG won't kill the grass if you wash on the lawn, and won't sting your eyes when spray the under carriage

I use a pressure washer too, sometimes; just use the wide tip and don't get it too close to the electronics.

S.

Be careful with the Simple Green. I love the results but, when I was in the USAF we had to stop using it on our helo's because they found it to be corrosive. K

[fivestar13]

I use super clean. I spray it on a cool engine and let it settle in. Then I spray my engine down until all clean and no suds remain. Start engine to verify function and aid in drying out engine components. If it is just mud and dirt, then I just use water...again, on a cooled engine.

[VoodooRocky]

I was always told that you dont spray down a warm engine with cold water. I got pretty dusty under the hood after doing Coyote Canyon last weekend. So as I have done with my previous cars and sucessfully did with my FJ, after that run, I let the engine cool then covered my K&N CIA with a plastic bag, hosed the engine compartment down,then took my leaf blower and blew out all the excess H2O. Walla..... looked like new and had no water sitting in nooks and cranny's to cause problems later. Good Luck

[Broken]

kiskat23 previously said:

Be careful with the Simple Green. I love the results but, when I was in the USAF we had to stop using it on our helo's because they found it to be corrosive. K

This is true. We still use it on lots of things but can use it on aircraft parts due to corrosion. Sucks cuz the stuff works great.