Engine Bay Cleaning. Hot or Cold?

I like Simple Green, good bang for the buck. If it's very nasty, Castrol Super clean is the way to go. It is very agressive stuff, though. Don't get it on your hands.

 

Deffinately cold... Some are flammable and if your engine catches on fire itll be blacker than before!

 

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I like to get the engine so hot that it glows red ... ... then dump a barrel of ice cold water on it and watch it fizzz ... ...
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do it while the engine is cold, use a steam pressure washer to wash down all the engine cleaner, once your done make sure you dont have any exposed wiring...turn your engine on to dry it up faster once your done..

 

I clean my engine bay when the engine is cold. After I'm done, I start it up, let it idle for a few, then take it for a short hop on the interstate to dry it out. Just for a little added insurance, I cover up the front diff breather tubes and the alternator before hosing everything down.

 

^^^^

 

Hot or cold....both are fine.
I've dunked a hot engine in a water crossing many times, never an issue. Granted it does cause more stress but it's unlikely to hurt anything.

 

Warm

 

When I clean any of my engine compartments, i go to the spray wand type of car wash and use the engine cleaner at the car wash. I enter the stall, cut off my engine and pull the hood release. I open the hood to let it cool a bit and I get my change. I spray down the whole compartment with sprayer on engine cleaner and then let it sit for a minute or two, then I use the pressure wand on clear water and I clean off the engine cleaner. I do not cover anything and I spray the whole area. No problems doing this to the engine. Then I clean the rest of the vehicle and leave.

 

When I clean my engine bay I tend to wrap my alternator in a plastic bag then I'll spray the engine with a bottle of degreaser, I avoid spraying directly to some electrical connections. I leave my engine cold personally but it's up to you. Then I'll power wash it. It looks pretty diecent in the end and never had any problems. Good luck guys!

 

I don't think it matters.

 

Just spray it down with Simple Green. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Hosed it off.

Made absolutely no discernible difference. Still looks dirty and grimy.

Any suggestions?

 

I've detailed my engine both after driving it and first thing in the morning when it's cold....honestly no difference.

What makes the difference are the products and tools you use.

I like to DOUSE the motor, sometimes I use half a brand new bottle with my favorite engine degreaser:



Let it sit for about 15-20 mins. Do not water the motor before. Just spray it directly on when the motor is dry.

Rinse it all off(a pressure washer would be IDEAL) and let it air dry or use an air compressor. Repeat the steps in the super greasy/dirty areas.

To finish it off, I use this stuff and apply it pretty generously:




Here is my engine after taking the steps and using the products I mentioned above:




Goodluck!

 

I used to use Simple Green, it works on the dirt, but not so much on the greasy spots. Pick up a bottle of Purple Power Citrus degreaser. Best stuff I've used, and it's as "safe" as Simple Green. I use it to degrease underbodies all the time and it just kills it all off.

 

Any issues with staining or etching aluminum?

 

With the CITRUS CLEANER Purple Power, I had zero etching issues.

The Industrial Strength Purple Power cleaner/degreaser(white bottle) is a different story. I will never use that stuff again on polished aluminum. Very bad etching. They advertise it as "non-abrasive" but don't let that fool you. It's definitely strong stuff. Etching is proof.

 

thanks for the heads up

 

I had a buddy who always sprayed the entire engine bay with armor all and then hose it down. His engine bay always looked great and he swore it never bothered anything. IDK if I'd do it, but it's another option I guess. Personally I never hose or power wash the engine. I go at the rubber with a rag soaked in quick detailer and just a wet rag to wipe down the rest.
But, I don't go mudding

 

It is always hot by the time I get to the car wash. I try to lightly mist it to get everything wet and started cooling before I shock it with lots of water. If you are going to crack something, throwing lots of water quickly on it would be the way to do it. I figure easing into it is the best way.

 

DAMN! If that isn't a testament to your method working, I don't know what is! Looks GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT!