Cleaning Engine Bay

How do you clean your engine bay? Is there some special products you need to buy or do you just use water or a rag?

You can use the water and rag method if you really want, but there's other ways too.

Here's what I do before cruise nights and whatnot. Buy a can of Foamy Engine Brite, and spary the areas you want to clean. Use a toothbrush or fine wire brush to get at any of the heavy deposits. Let the engine Brite sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then wash away with a gentle spray from a hose. Just becareful not to soak the air filter, MAF sensor or other major electronics. Take a dry rag and clean where you can, to avoid water spots. Once everything is dry, I use Armor All wipes and detail and hoses and such for a killer finish. It looks pretty nice when done.

Here's a pic I just found of how clean it looks after my method.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=500/67841my_motor.jpg

Industrial Pressure Washer..... once you use that you will never do it any other way.

what is it, where can I buy it at, and how much does it cost?

Here's a pic I just found of how clean it looks after my method.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=500/67841my_motor.jpg


how long did it take to get it THAT clean?
PS. that is one clean engine bay. :eek:

Mine was that clean once, 14 years ago when it rolled off the showroom floor. Oh wait, no it wasnt. If i had SOMETHING that was aftermarket under my hood it might make it look better, oh wait... i can put some aftermarket spray paint on there....
P.S.- THAT'S pretty impressive.

Industrial Pressure Washer..... once you use that you will never do it any other way.


oh, you'll do it other ways... after you repair all your electronics =D

when it comes to cars, nothing can be done too slowly or too carefully

I take off the air filter, stuff a rag in there so no water gets in, cover up the dizzy with a plastic bag, cover EVERYTHING with a thick coat of simple green, let it sit for about 45, wash it off with a garden hose. Looks clean as hell.

Try the simple green like Boosted331 suggested...
WORKS GREAT

if any of the sensors get wet will it mess it up? im afraid im gonna roast my electronics.

Electronics are fine if you get em wet as long as you are absolutely 100% sure they are dry before you turn them on. You could submerge your computer in water while its unplugged/turned off, wait a day or 2 (to make sure all the parts that are tight and unexposed to air get dry) and turn the computer on and it would run fine.

So basicly, just make sure electronics are dry before you turn them on. If anything that carries electricity through it touches water while its running, it will short circuit and die basicly. Thats what screws them up.

is the battery safe?

oh, you'll do it other ways... after you repair all your electronics =D

when it comes to cars, nothing can be done too slowly or too carefully


Done it about 20 times on my stang and never had an issue.

Try to spray you vital elec. with wire dry it tends to help alot before you wash the engine

again with the old threads....

Yes rather old but as a side note Craig engine compartment was not that clean when I saw it!!! LoL Still look good though!