Cleaning inner engine bay

Howdy,

I know this isnt about detailing exactly, but its related enough.

I have a bunch of mud and what not under and around my engine. It looks pretty gunked up. Im thinking I should just get under and remove the skid plate so I can clean better.

The biggest question is probably wether or not its safe to just spray everything in there with the pressure from a hose and a gardening nozzle attachment.

Im sure you cant see in the pics, but theres all sorts of gunk in the bottom.

 

GOOD QUESTION! My engine bay is just dirty. I thought about using a small portable steam cleaner I have.

 

I just hose mine out. If you are using a power washer, be careful not to rip anything apart. I figure water and stuff gets in there, it won’t hurt to wash it out.

 

Here’s a method I posted a couple of years ago- good results & feedback!

I would NOT recommend a power washer...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...gen-tacoma-today.6499/page-8241#post-18820305

 

Meguiar's Hot Shine Tire Foam.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRw1p--Tl4c

 

but I had an excellent time wheelin in Wisconsin with a good TW group



will the Meguiar's Hot Shine Tire Foam product do this mess justice?!?

 

The engine bay is definitely part of detailing, most overlook it, but mud holds water, and our rides already have a penchant for rust, I'd recommend at least periodic maintenance.

A garden hose and sprayer really are all you need as far as supply, beyond that a good degreaser diluted a bit, and some brushes are all you need.

Do NOT work on a hot engine! Do not focus water or cleaners at electrical components or exposed air filters, in fact if you aren't familiar with doing this just be overly cautious. I take no responsibility if you damage your headlight blinker pump.

On a cold, or barely warm engine start by spraying your bay with just water if there is a bunch of mud, this will rinse the worst of it away and allow the cleaner to do its job better, then apply the cleaner. Work a quarter or half of the space at a time to prevent the cleaner from drying. Use brushes or towels to lightly agitate the surfaces and further break down the dirt.
From there it's just rinse, lather repeat.
I've given just the basics here as some engines are oily, others muddy, some are just dusty. More work and cleaner on oily messes, and less on dusty, you get the idea.

I wouldn't recommend just spraying tire shine, or other dressings without actually removing the grime it will essentially waste the shine product and still show the dirt underneath. Everybody has their own level of satisfaction, maybe you want things spotless, maybe others just want the chunks removed. Proceed accordingly.

 

I remember when I accidentally popped the cap on my headlight blinker fluid reservoir and it just popped. It was really hot from all the turning in town I was doing.

 

Drive through some puddles in the street

 

In all seriousness tho, I just sprayed water all over, non pressurized, and stopped when chocolate milk stopped running from under my truck.

 

Unfortunately it aint raining much down here rn.