Anyone never clean the engine bay?

I carefully use a pressure washer on low occasionally.

 

What’s the benefit of the cleaning?

 

Mainly just makes it easier to work on when repairs or maintenance are needed and despite what others have said it can actually make things last longer, corrode less over time… Anywhere that dirt, leaves, rocks and grime builds up you can hold moisture leading to corrosion and rust. Oh, and a it’s easier to spot issues such as leaks or broken/worn things if everything is clean.

For me, I do all my own work on my vehicles. It’s my hobby and something I enjoy. Working on a clean, well kept vehicle is fun. Working on a dirty one SUCKS.

I don’t hesitate to get my truck FILTHY when I go off-roading. But I clean it when I’m done. It’s a part of responsible automobile ownership. IMO it’s akin to washing your underwear or keeping your house clean and maintained.

 

Only time ill ever lightly spray it down is if im going to be opening it up to get the dust/dirt/particles off areas... and thats only been 2-3 times for cam gears / intake manifold spacer.

 

I just wipe things down with a wet rag. If you keep up with it, it’s easy.

 

My truck sees dirt everyday so it's nearly impossible to keep up with cleaning the truck much less the engine bay. I have a collection of different varieties of dirt from around Texas accumulated in the engine bay

 

I take mine to the car wash. First I hit it with the degreaser soap, then hose it down with the high pressure rise. Don't over complicate simple things.

 

I clean it every Spring. Missed it last year and couldn’t believe all the crude and dirt built up.

From the “what did you do to your Tacoma”sticky:


Tried out an engine bay cleaning method I read on another forum...
Warm up engine. Park where you'll do the work.
Spray down engine bay with regular hose water - NOT pressurized.
Spray everything with a 10% Simple Green Solution.
Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Hose it down again.
Wipe down with old microfiber towels.
I used Adams VRT on the plastic pieces.
Close hood, drive around a bit to dry things completely.

I think it came out pretty good..


After seeing my ‘07 with rust starting from inside the engine bay, I think it’s worth the half hour and a few ‘wheel designated’ microcloths.

 

I'll hit it with the simple green, brush, then spray like once a season. This over the last 10+ years, no problem ever. A clean engine makes it easier to spot problems, and sucks less to work on.

 

I did a great detailing once, took a few hours. I barely even used the hose, mostly just rags, simple green, and some brushes. It was nice to get some mindless work done, sorta therapeutic. I plan on doing it again next week.

 

I only do if I get some mud in there. Cover the alternator is key and Never use Simple Green.

 

Simple green is fine. Don't go soaking your engine block in undiluted simple green but for normal cleaning with diluted simple green (which includes rinsing off when done) it's perfectly safe.

https://simplegreen.com/faqs/15/

 

I have only used simple green? I think your point was that undiluted simple green can etch metal? I keep it pretty light 3:1 water.

 

Haven't ever washed my engines, but i used to watch people go down the car wash and blast the entire engine bay with high pressure soap. me, never had the will to wet stuff that usually doesnt see much wetness. I look at it kind of like trans fluid on older engines. A full flush could hurt, not hurt, who knows.

Ill wipe down the plastics cover or if something is actually building up somewhere by hand, and in the spring give it a good plain water spray from underneath to get a majority of salt out, but thats about it.

 

Now that's a clean engine bay - I hose mine off every spring, 6 years, no problems. I do run the motor after for 15 minutes.

 

You can probably just get away with wiping things down and using a vacuum while loosening the dirt and debris with a brush. No washing used. I believe that can make a big difference in itself.

But I've washed down my engine bay before, covering my alternator and battery, blow drying it, then protecting it some with 303. Comes out great. No issues.

 

Looks brand new? How’d ya do it?

 

Armor-all on engine bays is awful, attracts dirt.

It's a truck.

Clean the top engine cover sure, but just rinse it off from time to time otherwise.

 

You sir, are a saint

 

I pressure wash my 2013 engine bay a few times a year. Looks brand new in there