[blingman]

Do you go to car wash and spray the whole thing down trying to avoid certain electricals? or take a spray bottle and spray and wipe?

My engine bay is dirty and recently coolant spilled all over and I just want to spray it all down for a good cleaning.

[digital01]

Id like to know the same. I've heard of people pressure washing their engines, but what do you need to look out for when doing so? I'd assume that first and foremost, you'd want to wait for you engine to cool down prior to anything, so that you don't crack anything from major temp changes. Anything else to look out for?

[White_335I]

Originally Posted by blingman

Do you go to car wash and spray the whole thing down trying to avoid certain electricals? or take a spray bottle and spray and wipe?

My engine bay is dirty and recently coolant spilled all over and I just want to spray it all down for a good cleaning.

I just spray an APC and let it dwell for couple minutes and use different brushes to clean the engine bay and then start the car before washing it water. I use a light stream of water(no pressure) and I never had any problems.

[Bobble]

Cold engine;
Cover alternator,ecu box and any exposed electrical with plastic grocery bags and tie off;
Spray APC of choice, let dwell, agitiate dirty areas with brushes including underside of hood;
Hose off with light steady stream of water;
Remove bags;
Start engine and run for a few minutes to dry off some water;
Blow out rest of water with leaf blower;
Towel dry remaining spots and dress plastics if you like that look, QD or QW on body colored metal if you like that and you are done.

Probably start to finsh one hour. Key cold engine, do not dress electrical components like alternator and do final wipe down for water before and after dressing. Pretty simple task do it once or twice a year when you polish or seal.

[06E90Rostik]

I use P21S TAW exclusively for engine bay washing. Also use two brushes, one is round tip natural boar hair, other is Daytona Speed detailer.

I don't wait for dwelling, just spray small area and brush.

Rinse off with hose nozzle off, for sheeting action and less spraying around.

Then blow dry, then run the engine for a few mins just for a good measure.

Done it for years no problems whatsoever.

[raceyBMW]

If you have hood insulation, try to not get it wet otherwise it will sag and not fit in correctly after it dries. I am not as careful as the previous guys, I don't bother covering anything and have never ran into any issues on this car. Just make sure it is a cool as can be, otherwise you will get water spots.

[GTiceman]

I agree with the previous comments ... I use P21S on mine and rinse it down after scrubbing some areas ... key is definitely a cold engine ... which you should try to make sure any time you wash your car

like racey said don't get the liner wet ... I did and had to dry it but it still sags so I am prob just gonna pull it off soon

[digital01]

Everyones input makes sense. Im gonna try this in a few days while I do my detailing. If anything, i'll take precautionary measures and cover the alternator and the ECU, then hose away.

[Bobble]

Most electircal components are designed to allow them to get wet but I always err on the better safe than sorry. If you use an aerosol dressing just make sure not to get any on the alternator as stated in my previous response as it can have a bad effect on the windings. Again better safe than sorry.

[henry418]

Stupid question but, where is the alternator?

[Bobble]

on the 335 if you are looking at the motor it's on the driver side below all the intake plumbing if I remember correctly. I'd look but I have to park a half mile from work and it's hot as hell out right now.

[GTiceman]

correct bobble, it is right by the oil filter housing, right underneath it

your ecu should be plenty protected btw digital

i usually don't really cover the alternator fully, but i do cover my DCI and the protection covers most of the alternator

[TheRox]

use ONR

[uiquint33]

Cover alternator/other areas you want to keep dry with aluminum foil...it molds really well and is often easier to use than plastic.

CG Grime Reaper APC
E-Z Detail Brush
CG Black to Black

Just cleaned the engine bay of my '03 135,000 mile Intrepid for the first time. Grime Reaper is a potent degreaser, the brush can get almost anywhere and the Black on Black makes everything, well, black again. I wish I had a before pic...it was pretty nasty. This combination, minus the brush, works really well on wheel wells also.

[jasonlu]

check this out? http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...ur-engine-bay/
there is a lot of useful article and information. but think about it before you buy it. dont rush

[CaptinCrunch]

Is it possible to have an auto body shop do it for you?

[uiquint33]

Originally Posted by CaptinCrunch

Is it possible to have an auto body shop do it for you?

You might want to ask the auto body shop that question. The above took me 10 minutes so personally I don't see the need unless you don't like to get your hands dirty or have access to a water source.

[e92LuNaTiC]

I'll be doing this 4th of July weekend, my engine bay needs

[TOGWT]

Avoid the [I cleaned my engine bay and now it won't start] scenario by covering electrical / electronic and various other parts prior to using any cleaning products, sprays or water. It unsure either protect with a covering and /or use WD-40 water repellent

The most important electrical components are sealed to be ‘water resistant’ or splash proof to resist water ingress that is to say against low pressure, water splashing upwards from the road that is encountered in the course of daily driving conditions, despite their coverings they are not ‘waterproof’. Rain or water splashed up into the engine is at very low pressure, very different from a pressurised hose or steam

As long as you use common sense by avoiding a direct strong stream of water (or a pressure washer / steamer at close range) directly into these components, you will be fine.

• Alternator
• Alarm Housing
• Intercooler
• Battery terminals (if not covered already)
• Induction kit cone (if you have one)
• Coil packs
• Electronic control units (ECU)
• On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port
• Air intake systems (exposed air filters) can be covered with plastic wrap and a rubber band
• Avoid getting water in the spark plug recesses


Notes:

1. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it marque specific, if in doubt use a water repellent (WD-40) and exercise common sense
2. Use cling-film and then tin foil for the alternator, alarm housing etc as the foil is easier to mould and has greater protection properties. I suggest you use a plastic bag for the induction kit and just wrap it tight over the end to stop any water ingress.
3. For the intercooler the best way to cover is to get a flat sheet of cardboard and just cut it to size so it fits and covers the fins. Cardboard will normally protect the fins for the duration of the washing. It will get soaked so discard after the wash.
4. If you are uncertain of how to proceed on something not included here; talk with somebody who has marque /model /year specific knowledge.

[BK]

IMO there is no reason to be scared of cleaning the engine bay, at least on our E9x cars. It can get damn wet in there to no ill effect, but of course you should avoid getting exposed electrical stuff wet.

Let the engine cool down for a long time before you clean it. Our E9x engines stay hot for quite a while. Then spray on cleaner. I use P21S. Spray it on, scrub any grime, then hose it off. I prefer to hose off with a CR Spotless, then I don't even have to bother to dry anything. Don't be afraid to hose it off, get all the soap off it. If you don't have a CR Spotless or similar, use a towel to dry it or you'll get water spots on the plastic parts.

For an especially nice looking engine bay, you can dress the plastic with 303 or whatever dressing you like. I prefer 303.

[04gto]

I use a little bit of foaming degreaser and a McCulloch steam cleaner from Harbor Freight (like $100). It has different brushes you attach to the tip. I realize not everyone has a steam cleaner, but they are great for cleaning the engine bay, wheels and undercarriage. Along with many other household things. The best part is they do not actually use much water, so you do not have to spend much if any time drying off things.

Edit: After posting this, I realized that I had not cleaned my engine bay in a while so I cleaned it with the steamer today. It actually was not really even dirty.

[Gohan335i7]

Black Magic Engine Clean!!!!!!!!!!! My engine bay will forever remain flawless because of this product . -Gohan335i7N54-----------