How do you clean your engine bay after the winter?

I was wondering if anyone has way of cleaning engine bay after winter? I dont want to let salt sit there

 

Should not be too much salt… but, I usually use simple green and remove any grease/oil, then I pie it down with dawn and water in a spray bottle..
With cloth towels. Dress the hoses with chemical boys and visit in 6 months. Once it’s done one time 2 is much easier. I am afraid of power washers/hoses and tire cleaner some YouTube people use.

 

I will give it a try, yea its not too much salt but I dont want any rust on my truck. Prior winter I sprayed WD40 on a towel and wiped all metals with it, but i just dont want salt sitting there

 

I don’t

 

I don't worry about it until May. That's first month here after winter. Then cover all electronics with plastic bags and gently spray with hand held garden hose nozzle. Do it in driveway on sunny warm day. Leave hood up to dry. In my opinion WD40 attracts dirt and dust.

 

I'm not sure what to cover but I have hosed mine off with a weak spray from a water sprinkler nozzle each spring.
So far so good since 2016. I might be lucky.

 

Simple green and a brush for the stubborn grime. Garden hose with an adjustable fog pattern. Think rainfall not a riot control stream.

 

I spray the engine and rims, inside and outside, with my Harbor Freight steam cleaner. I spray the Trader Joe's Multi-Purpose Spray on tough and oily spots before using steam cleaner. It works great.Products short cuts down below: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/multi-purpose-cleaner-cedarwood-sage-065400

 

I open my hood and let the Moose lick it clean.

 

Some good tips. I normally take a plastic bag or trash bag and cover the fuse box, alternator and then spray it with some simple green diluted with water and then very lightly rinse it and let it sit in the sun and dry out.

 

This guy is pretty good. Says never to hose your engine bay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwt6GFd6hh4

 

Used this stuff for years and it works great. Spray on, let sit, hose off, done.

 

I leave all the rustproofing spray from the fall and build-up as is. Seems the field mice appreciate a clean engine bay more than I do.

 

Rustproofing on the engine? If you’re worried about mice. Tie some mothballs at several location.

 

Water

 

H2O, Concentrated. Simple Green and a brush.

 

What is it?
Can't tell from your post.

 

I’ve never cleaned an engine bay on any car or truck I’ve owned over the past 35 years. None of them have ever had a problem due to this. Is this something people are just doing for looks?

 

Many reasons
1) the engine cools better
2) any leaks are easily found
3) your mechanic will appreciate it and be neater
4) it does look better
5) a good hose treatment help them last longer

there Re likely more reasons. I think it’s more how you want to treat your $$$$ investment (cost) do you throw your new jacket in corner on the floor? I would bet you hang it up and that’s likely $200 investment

 

Armorall foaming tire cleaner works pretty good.