How to clean 3rd gen engine bay?

here's a good video. not specific to tacomas or heavy mud but good info in there.

https://youtu.be/PRSoRkM8GcM

 

You say to have engine hot/running, I've also read the opposite. What is your reasoning/logic for having the engine hot/running?

 

I with you on this post. I guess I have been doing it wrong for 40 years. Clean engine never has left me stranded at carwash.

 

Also, you mention a cold engine, I've been told otherwise as well. What's your reason to have the engine cold instead of hot?

 

Heat shocking parts. Cracks warping etc.

 

I mean a little common sense goes a long ways. Don't get right up on a connector lol

 

I've always had good luck using my pressure washer with a bottle of simple green attached to the soap injector line. Never really noticed a difference between a hot/cool engine.

 

What @Skydvrr said. Shocking parts with quick temp changes is generally not good if you don't have to. The heat will also fight you when trying to soak the mud.

 

Spray it at the car wash every time i wash it. Still looks brand new!

 

Check out ammo nyc on YouTube , the guy is super extra and knowledgeable. I use super clean degreaser as a cleaning agent and some soft brushes.

Minute 22 ish is when he starts talking about the engine bay. People fly him out to clean their super cars so I trust his tips.


https://youtu.be/awLX5qlY-Ts

 

Clean it like a 2nd gen

 

Drive it to the junk yard and get a 3rd?

 

As a professional automotive technician, I can say that I have never had a single customer bring in a car that has had any issues from cleaning an engine bay. That being said, I think most of the theory behind not pressure washing an engine is leftover thoughts from folks doing it in the days of old. Older cars did not have water tight connections, and washing of any kind will definitely cause issues. Modern vehicles all have watertight seals on basically all connections.

I do use a pressure washer to clean my engine bay on occasion, but I use a small electric pressure washer, and I do not use the little single port nozzle directly on anything. I use the fan tip or little spinny tip. I don't necessarily wait for a cold engine, but don't really get straight on a hot engine either.

Like most things in life, moderation seems to go a long way.

 

Cold engine not hot.
Just like dumping your pots and pans in cold water when it's hot will warp them.

 

wow! thats some mud... i guess you have to be a bit careful so that you dont get water on electronics but still!

 

Even that's not true anymore. I do it regularly. Pans are fine

 

I would think that’s true always, if you heat up any metal and instantly cool it with water it’ll either crack, warp, or bend. That’s just how metal works

 

So, in summary: Your engine should be cold AND hot, running AND not, DO and DO NOT use a pressure washer, cover EVERYTHING and NOTHING...Hope this clears it up for you. . IMHO, I would use a dilute dish soap to soak the mud and crud on a cool engine, let sit, and scrub / rinse with low pressure hose water.

 

Maybe... maybe not...

I just use the hose works. Spray nozzle.and just keep flushing until reaches the stage of clean I desire at that time.

Not spotless but clean enough the service techs dont freak out

 

I guess so people would dunk it a sink full of cool water and accidentally quench it. Same with washing your engine bay, common sense goes a long way