how to clean engine

Do you cover anything when you wash it, like air filter, wires, ect. or do you just try not to get them wet

 

I cover my air filter and the alternator when I clean my engine bays. Just throw a plastic bag over them.

 

Cover the alternator, cover the ABS module, cover belts/pulleys, and remove battery to be safe. Any exposed electronics that aren't in wire loom near connectors (like MAF sensor), should be covered. Doesn't have to be fancy, plastic bags, elastic bands and some saran wrap will work.

I didn't cover my ABS module when I cleaned my engine bay, I have an ABS light now and I think the water may have damaged the unit. Expensive part to replace, take a second to wrap the stuff.

 

X2. And the engine shine too. Used a soft bristle brush on everything, even the hood with degreaser. Then power wash. I put a grocery bag over my alt though. Then let drip dry, run engine for a bit, cool off again and spray the shine all over, bristle brush that in, then wipe it all down with a clean rag. Looks like a brand new engine bay afterwards.

 

I've never covered anything. Get everything wet with a gentle mis or shower of water. Spray diluted simple green all over, scrub the hard stuff, and rinse well.

Simple green is biodegradable, and non toxic. Also, I've never covered alternators etc. just don't powerwash the fuse block, and be aware of where you're spraying. Just take a peep in the distributor etc to make sure no water got in before starting back up.

When you drive in the rain, where do you think the water goes? It gets all over everything in your engine bay. A little spray from the hose is harmless.

 

I just wait for a rainy day....problem solved.

 

Super Clean is some bad stuff. I have a buddy that has a home made parts washer and that is all he uses in it. He also has a dip tank that has an airline in the bottom and uses a burner underneath. He puts everything in it, lights the fire and turns the air on slow and engines come out looking like they are new. It strips the paint off of them and he ends up with a bare block. He uses it on aluminum and cast iron blocks and heads. He buys Super Clean by the drum and changes it ever 6 months. Before that he used Tide laundry powder in the tank.

I have used Simple Green and just never let it dry, rinse and repeat as needed.

 

Simple Green® Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner & Degreaser - "Use Simple Green Pro HD in a general cleaning dilution on floors, painted surfaces, aluminum, stainless or polished steel, chrome, plastics, vinyl, canvas, cabinets, counters, stove tops, refrigerators, sinks, showers, tile, and more. Use Simple Green Pro HD in a heavier cleaning dilution for engines, wheels, tools, heavy equipment, landscaping equipment, bumpers, grease and oil stains, exteriors of cars, trucks, vans, RVs, and boats; on BBQs, ovens, grills, range hoods and vents, machinery and more." - http://simplegreen.com/products/pro-hd-cleaner-degreaser/

Ed

 

+1. Simple and effective.

 

My girlfriends truck, a 98 4 cylinder, had some oil on the engine- maybe caused when I switched to synthetic. So I bought some degreaser and sprayed it on the engine block. I went ahead and rinsed the whole engine bay since it was dirty. I tried to start the truck afterwards, but it was dead. Tried again and it had a little juice, but didn't even attempt to turn over. I didn't realize I should check the fuses unitl now (I'm at work). Any thoughts? I've sprayed off my '05 many times with no issues.

 

Rinse first, apply degreaser, scrub, rinse again, let dry, apply tire foam, wipe off excess

 

I personally like Simple Green, or in this case Green Works. Its the same as simple green. Just to be safe, before I started I put a rubber glove over my oil and trans fluid dip stick, and over my brake fluid reserve. Then sprayed the whole bay down (Low pressure) and then sprayed the Green Works on. Let it sit for a couple minutes and then hose her down. I hand dried mine instead of letting it drip dry. No more Mud!!! Pretty clean for a '15

 

Cleaned mine the other day...I used Super Clean on the aluminum intake plenum, man... it does wonders. I rinsed it off immediately though after scrubbing pretty good to get the pores in the aluminum. Sorry, no pics.

 

Right on man! I may try other products, but I get a little nervous. Where do you find Super Clean?

 

Make sure to cover the igniter, I didn't cover mine before a heavy engine bay douching and paid the price

 

clean?

your truck?



I guess it depends on how clean you want it. I usually just hose it off to get the big chunks off. If you really want to get it clean, maybe use some engine degreaser and your roommate's toothbrush and really scrub at it.

 

Lol. I have done this more than 40 times and never had this issue, even when detailing customers cars. Just don't dunk your engine bay in water. Be smart about it. No need to cover a bunch of shit up or remove the battery.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/thunders-04-ext-cab-derp-edition.376198/page-3#post-15272746

 

I use simple green and then a pressure washer to rinse it off. No problems here just don’t let it sit there too long before spraying off

 

Watch chrisfix on YouTube. Has a great video of this.