Cleaning the engine bay... any thing to be careful of

Hey guys, been pretty busy... believe me!!! Anyways, I've been wanting to clean my engine bay of the desert dirt and such and want to know if there is anything in particular that I need to watch out for before drowning the engine bay with water (i.e. spraying it down). Not looking into making it all "nice and pretty" in the engine bay, but just a fairly good washing down. Finally, when washing the initial dirt off, what degreaser do you guys recommend? Thanks for taking the time to read guys/gals.

 

Simple green works well. Avoid or cover fuse box and alternator when you hose it out

 

Okay, that's what I thought as far as covering the alt. I have NEVER washed an engine/bay in my life, hence the questions. Thank you guys. One other question, about the temp of the engine, do I spray the degreaser on it when it is at least warm to the touch and let it soak for a few minutes, wash, spray again if necessary? Yeah, didn't think about the rag part... good point about the water beading up... a duh thing, LOL. Thanks again guys. I'll be doing this fairly soon when given the time/chance.

 

Yeah I use the cheap AutoZone engine digreaser spray and a can of the shine stuff. If it's really dirty, yeah you could let it be Luke warm. Enough to hold your hand on there and not have to release. I spray the foam shit all over. Let it sit 5 minutes. Then use a plastic bristle brush I got from AutoZone, one with a long handle, and scrub everywhere. Then I spray it all off and let dry for an hour. Go do something in the meantime. Then I come back out with the shine shit, spray it all over and use a cloth and polish everything. Works great.

 

I would say that it is pretty dirty. Kindof looks like someone took a bucket of dirt and just straight dumped it on top of the engine. I gotta get that brush too. Finally, I guess I will get the "shine shit" and do the same, nothing show quality, but show a little T.L.C., which I do have for my truck.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to post/help me learn. It is very much appreciated. Be safe people.

 

I'm probably gonna get raining down on me for asking, but I thought as well that the alt needs to be covered

 

I used to use Simple Green in the past. Recently...I've used Dawn Power Dissolver. Just spray on.....and hose off (I wouldn't let is soak). No scrubbing. I don't set the nozzle on 'jet' but a less powerful spray. Dawn Power Dissolver is frigin awesome but I can't find it anymore around here. It's a bit pricey to find it online. There's an alternative - at Home Depot, I can't remember what its called.
I've hosed the engine off while running....I've done it not running.... haven't had any issues.

 

I washed my old Acura Legend's engine bay and didn't cover the alt and it failed to start afterwards. I replaced it with a used one and it fired right up. Not sure why it did that but I now cover my alt when I wash the engine bay just to be safe. Could be that I just needed to wait til it dryed before I tryed to start it but who knows.

 

I have never covered anything in 30 years of cleaning my engines I use Simple green full strength and then use Adams in & out spray........
.....

 

I've sprayed my engine down dozens of times, never covered a thing. I then wipe everything down with Stoner's tire dressing, it dries to a satin finish and doesn't attract dust.

 

Here is my VW Touareq

 

Very nice. Was that picture taken the day you bought it? Lol. I don't know if I have the patience to clean my engine bay that well. Unless I was trading the truck in then the appearance would definitely be necessary

 

Lol thats about a year old in that pic I am a bit OCD..... My Touareg is about 4 years old in the picture.

 

HOLY SHI_ PEOPLE!!! That right tharrr are some CLEAN ENGINE BAYS!!! Sooooo, cover the alt, bat, and fuse box if I feel the need to... for my "comfort level" if you will??? I'm asking only because it is curious how some people have, apparently, bad luck with their alt getting wet and the car doesn't start again. OR, they don't cover the alt while wetting down and the car starts just fine??? Could it possibly be a specific "type" of alt design that has this problematic issue? Anyways, I'll cover mine for shi_s and giggles. I'm taking everything in that you guys/gals are recommending and/or from your experiences and learning. I just got paid today, so I can go buy some of those items here very soon. I will post before and after pics. Thanks people and drive safe!!!

 

I usually cover my air filter on my K&N just for piece of mind but I always use a leaf blower to dry it off before I start it. I also usually clean the engine while its warm. Never had any issues

 

Ive had good results using tin foil. First i go ahead and disconnect the battery cables, use a rubber glove to insulate them. I then cover the alternator, battery, and terminals in tin foil. I do this cause it wont fly off or tear through as easily as a plastic bag when you hit it with a pressure washer.

Im a big fan of Chemical Guys, they are local to me by LAX airport. I use this stuff.

Chemical Guys CLD_104_16 Grime Reaper Extremely Strong Degreaser (16 oz)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001XUV6A4/ref=twister_B00F91ALKO?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

Cover spark plug coils