Anyone never clean the engine bay?

Never cleaned it once, or on any car I’ve owned for that matter

 

Just cleaned mine for the first time today. Don't really have a great before shot aside from the hood shot, (I had already taken the plastic cover off and cleaned it in the before shot). First time in 10 years!

Used Super Clean degreaser, bagged the alternator, electrical connections and computer, let it soak in for a few minutes, agitated with a paint brush and gave it the ole' rinse. Used an air compressor to blow out any excess water, then 303 Aerospace on the plastics.

Before:



After:

 

After some good fun off roading, the engine will be all dirty. So I will pressure wash it, spray simple green and agitate it with a brush. Then hose it off.

also I spray Directly into the radiator and condenser to clean that out as much as possible. Dirt and dust gets stuck in the fins.

 

I rescued this 06 from New York last May. These are some before pictures and an after from detailing the engine bay. Ive also been replacing rusty hardware with zinc anodized as Ive removed shit

Before


After

 

3:1 simple green and a brush. Rinse off with the hose once a year. Makes things easier to maintain and helps with identifying problems early. Great way to inspect your engine up close to see if you have problems as well.

 

It's called Tinker-I-tis.... It's when people think they have a good idea to do something, that does not need doing, and they usually pay for it in the long run...


D/S

 

What’s called tinkeritis? Cleaning the engine bay? If so, you’re wrong.

Re-read the thread to see what the benefits are or this:
https://www.cars.com/amp/articles/are-there-any-mechanical-benefits-to-cleaning-an-engine-1420681075630/

You’ll find all sorts of opinions for and against.

What am I paying for by keeping my engine bay clean?

 

I am afraid to spray anything on the engine...Probably just piss it off !

 

There are no advantages of a dirty engine bay. Caked on dirt and grime in an engine bay that runs on cooling/electrical components and sensors mounted to a rust prone tacoma frame are reasons all my family vehicles get an engine/undercarriage shower after a DIY oil change. Been doing this for years with zero issues on all vehicles that I have ever owned.

 

The only time I clean anything under the hood is if I'm working on something...even then, it's only the stuff I'm working on...and even then, it's only if cleaning is necessary to work on it to clean it off or prevent stuff from falling where it shouldn't.

 

I think the only real important component to clean is the condenser and radiator... Personal experience from driving with them caked and filled with mud lol.

I will clean areas before working on them but usually don't go out of my way to clean the bay..

Here's a current engine bay picture and freshly washed exterior picture

 

Every once in a while, after washing the truck, I'll dump the bucket of leftover soap all over the engine bay then hose it off. Then take it for a drive around the block to dry everything out.

 

This thread inspired me to go spend 30 minutes wiping my engine bay down.