Another post on cleaning the engine bay…

Sorry I know there’s probably a bunch of posts but I could not find the answer to my question that I’ve been searching for because there’s just so many mixed answers. The scary alternator….also the battery For the 3rd gens it’s hard to cover the alternator but should I worry about water getting on to it or even my all purpose cleaner dripping into it? And the battery my positive cover is in rough shape…should I worry about that also getting wet? There’s a guy Pan The Organizer who I follow for detailing and he knows his stuff and he does wash engine bays BUT I haven’t seen him wash and clean a trucks engine bay. He does use a pressure washer and does cover the alternator and then he goes to town. What are your thoughts?

 

RIP your connectors.

 

I use the product below (no white residue like plain Simple Green leaves behind) with a water hose nozzle on a cold engine. I use my cordless blower to blow all water away after I rinse. Never cover anything.

 

I use Chemical Guys super citrus cleaner(diluted 50%), a variety of brushes, Karcher steamer and the small Milwaukee leaf blower. I don't cover anything since I don't "go to town".

 

Maybe I’m writing something wrong here sorry guys. I’m asking about the battery and alternator I already have an all purpose cleaner that is great for the engine bay. Just need to know safety. Really I’m about to just f around and find out but if I can save myself from that. That would be better lol

 

An electric pressure washer with a broad nozzle puts out less water force at a couple feet away than a garden sprayer and a hell of a lot less volume. Basically a pressurized mist.

I like to use my foam gun in cars once or twice a year, then rinse it off in a friendly manner. No brushing, no directed point spraying. Just something to knock down any oil residue and attached dust,dirt.

 

You didn’t have to cover your alternator? Or worry about your battery? I have an electric pressure washer as well.

 

The battery dont care. Alternator doesnt get wet driving in a pouring rain?

 

I cover the alternator. It likely doesn’t need to be but why risk it when it just a plastic bad and tie. The battery I just wash it. It won’t short out with water you need a wrench to do that.

 

Here’s an update!
I did my 2 week car wash today. And washed the engine bay first. I use an all purpose cleaner G6 Coch Chemie green star, a foamer Koch Chemie Active Foam
And an electric 1900psi pressure washer. And the conclusion it’s safe to do so I also have custom modifications to wires and cables (if you seal them correctly then you’re safe. I used liquid electrical tape on all of my spliced wires.) I did NOT disconnect the battery either. I would recommend doing this the day you was your car entirely. That way you wash your engine bay first and then dry it out with a blow dryer close it up and wash your car which allows it to dry even more. Washing my truck takes about 2 hours. Enough time to air dry the engine bay. Checked back in the engine bay everything looked clean started up the truck and voila. Now just waiting for the tires to fully drive to dress them up!

good luck to y’all!

 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0_0AYEhOnbU&si=CgHxt1gCfsDZVi6V
here is a good example.

 

yeah this is literally the exact way I did it for mine.

 

Why? Asking for problems and gain nothing. No way.

 

Didn't see him remove the plenum cover. Engine still dirty.

 

I clean my engine bay once a year and have done that to every vehicle I've ever owned. I've never had an ounce of trouble. I always spray it out with my pressure washer at home. Maybe the difference is I always let it air dry with the hood up for 4-5hrs or until it's all the way dry.