How can I clean my engine compartment?

My engine is covered in mud and other crap from when I went mudding DAYS ago. I haven't cleaned it because I didn't feel the need to but I want to now and I need ideas. I don't want to pressure wash it because that can damage stuff and mess with the electrical mess. Any ideas?

 

i rinse mine with a garden hose once a year, regardless of if it needs it or not

 

Should I put a bag or something around the distributor? and keep in mind it's not just the engine. It's the whole compartment that's filthy.

 

Google "how to clean engine" for lots of links and tips. A favorite site of mine is "detailcity.org" for advice.

Common points: cover all electrical and air intakes to prevent water intake. Don't go nuts with water pressure (think rainfall to light hose-blast). Use an all-purpose cleaner or engine-degreaser to help break up the gunk. And proceed at your own risk, the online advice might be from an idiot.

 

All I did was buy some aerosol engine degreaser, soak the engine with it, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then used the pressure washer to rinse it off. Like said above as long as you don't get to close you wont hurt anything. I didn't cover anything up I just tried to go easy over the big electrical stuff.

 

honestly how I do it is I take it to the car wash and leave the engine running and spray it down if you hear the engine shudder or anything crazy then get the water away from there. It sounds nuts but I have done this many times on my 96 taco and at least 4 or 5 times on my 06. It gets the job done and never causes any issues

 

you gotta remember, the engine bay is getting water in it every time you drive in the rain. engines aren't scared of a little water and most things under the hood are sealed up pretty darn good.

 

with a toothbrush.....

 

use the green tire cleaner foam at the do-it-yourself washes, some places even have it labeled tire/engine wash.

 

^^that's what I use. Let the engine cool off for about 30 min or so.... soak the engine bay in the green stuff.... let it sit for a few minutes to break down the grease...... spray it all off.

 

Just my 2 cents but I use a degreaser called Black Maxx. I get mine from NAPA...comes in a spray bottle for about 7 bucks. Just spray it all over the engine and let it sit bout 10 minutes then wash it off really good. If you do that you wont have problems but if you just leave it on there it will eventually eat the rubber up. I've always done it and never had any problems. Works freakin awesome on wheels and tires too.

 

I'm leery of cleaning it with the engine running or hot. Did it once per some instructions on a can of cleaner and probably won't do it that way again. Water off the road when it rains is one thing, but a large volume of cold water coming into contact with a hot engine can cause things (metal and plastic) to crack.

 

So it sounds like I should get a can of engine degreaser, spray it on when the engine is cool and then use a hose and clean it off with that... Right?

 

IDK if you own an air compressor, but I used one and a paint sprayer filled with purple power. The spray is pretty strong and concentrated. Let the purple power set for a second, then refill sprayer with water .

 

I do this. Just keep the hose moving, don't blast one spot constantly. If there's a spot for a wash mitt, I'll try getting in there. Simple green is cheap and you can use it for other stuff too, so it's one of the most economical choices.


There's also stuff that Costco sold called Oil Eaters that is some amazing stuff.

 

Degreaser, pressure washer (on fan, with at least 2' between the nozzle and engine), with the engine just warmed ... run for a couple of minutes before starting. When finished, while the engine is still wet, fog the bay with Armorall. It'll look greasy for a day or so, but later it will look good.

 

I try to stay away from things that say "green". lol

 

Simple Green is not affected by hippies

 

purple power followed by armor all

 

Just be careful with the simple green on aluminum, as it can eventually eat through it if left on for too long. Make sure to completely rinse it off.