How do you clean your engine bay?

Mine is pretty hot and looks dirty all the time, literally!

I hose it every few weeks with water and while it’s still wet, sprinkle cayenne pepper all over it and let it dry on to keep the frigging rats off it. You fastidious OCD detailers would hate seeing it, so I’m not going to post a photo.

 

I learned to not care after I took my FJ off-roading at a park up on Iron Range. That red iron infused mud made the engine bay this awesome Pepto-Bismol pink color after it dried. I tried everything in the book and finally took it to a detailer who couldn't get it clean either, even with some sort of steam cleaner. I did have a few mechanics ask me if I'd run over one or something because it looked like dried blood. Here's the outside of the truck.... I wish I had a picture of the engine bay. It was just as bad.

 

The one thing to avoid is hosing a hot engine as the cold water can break bolts

 

I usually drove to the car wash, pop the hood, pull the husky liners, spray the liners with simple green, soak the engine bay w simple green, then pressure wash from a distance. Nothing too high pressure. Literally done this for years, multiple vehicles. Works for me.

 

Well, I don't spray it down with a product known to corrode alloyed aluminum.

 

What product is that?

 

Simple Green; unless it's the Extreme Aviation/Precision formula.

Personally, I use Gunk Multi-surface Engine Cleaner & Degreaser.

 

All these yrs I have had no issues with simple green ......

 

Cool...you do you, then.

 

I am looking into this at the moment

 

I first learned about it[Simple Green corrosion] on the gun forums. People were using it to clean AR rifles.
The realization of aluminum corrosion came about from Army and Air Force non-authorized use in cleaning aircraft. Memos were issued to cease using it.
I had no problems either and was a user up until that point...others aren't so lucky. It can leave a white-etched look after just one application. Better safe than sorry IMO.

 

Straight up Simple Green is too harsh.

I posted this awhile ago. Works great.

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

 

Looks like Georgia mud. Spray on some simple green, and wash it out with a garden hose every time you wash the rest of the car. Hopefully this mud stains will slowly come off.

 

So you didn't cover any components up with a plastic tarp or bag? You just hosed down the whole engine bay? You didn't run into any issues? I plan on cleaning mine out this weekend.

 

See above.

Just have a bunch of old microfiber towels and you’re good to go.

 

Simple green is a harsh degreaser, avoid it if possible and dilute if you do use it.

If it's just plain ole mud or dirt then I use hot water mixed with some Dawn dish soap added to it and apply it to the cold engine bay with an old mitt, then hose off. Be careful not to get any outside as it will de wax the paint.

 

Be sure to use the newer simple green professional. The regular is specially called out as not being safe on aluminum

 

I have always liked spray 9. It leaves plastic and rubber looking rich but not greasy like tire shine. I start with a cold engine, not running. Spray down with spray 9, let it sit for a minute or so, start and spray off with a pressure washer from a safe distance. I like to coordinate the timing with driving somewhere so the engine compartment will get heat and air flow to help dry things out. I used to be a detailed and would occasionally see plug wires or distributors go bad the day after spraying it out, but not often.

 

Good to know.

 

toolbox buddy. thank me later.