Cleaning under the hood?

I was Wondering if this is a good idea or not. What steps do you take? Will the water hurt the electric engine components?

Thanks

Has anyone ever tried this?

I usually spray wash my engine every 3 months or so. The only thing that ever happens is I need a windshield washer motor every 3 years. I've got a 1993 with 250,000 miles and still going strong.

What did you use to wash it?
I just want to hear from some more people who have done this before without any problems before i do so.

What did you use to wash it?
I just want to hear from some more people who have done this before without any problems before i do so.


yes its safe... just dont soak the alternator or fuses boxes or distributor or the main electrical stuff, sensors... but yea, I do this on all my vehicles!!

engine degreaser is good, also "purple power" and brake spray works great...

on my 350 engine, I however did not need to use any water..... I just used a good ole bottlle of WD40... :rofl: :grinyes:

You tell me how it looks for no water hitting it....
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=654087

Hope this helps.....

Wow, that looks great. Nice job, but do you think just using a cleaner is going to work on mine? It has a lot of mud on it from the last time I took it up to the mountains. I need something thats going to get allthe caked mud off that has been baked on. What would be good for this? What steps should i take?

Thanks for your help

Go to walmart and get a 5 gallon bottle of "PURPLE POWER" for about 5 bucks... get a spray bottle, and spray the entire engine, let it soak for 5-8 mins, then get a soapy soultion and wash the engine with a cloth or brush....


turn the engine ON!!
before rinsing, make sure the motor is running, before hitting it with water.... this will avoid any problems!! I forgot to say in my previous post, rinse the engine with it ON!

RINSE it really well, it will be okay once the engine is running... all electrical components are grounded to the engine block!! :cool:

Ok it should be ok then. I just heard from some people that they had to replace a lot of electrical components after doing this. It sounds like it should be ok if i leave it running then.

Ok it should be ok then. I just heard from some people that they had to replace a lot of electrical components after doing this. It sounds like it should be ok if i leave it running then.

yes, leave it runing, when soaking it with water. Like I said every sensor, or electronic, is grounded to the engine block, so it will be A-OK...

after finish rinseing, let the engine RUN for another 5-10mins!!

ok, sounds good.
Thanks for your help

definitily leave it running...and purple cleaner is good to go...but like the guy said leave it running 4 a few after your done cleaning...


scrapper is back.....

just don't spary the air box directy when doing this running.

I'm not being a wise guy but people do drive there car's when it's raining. Water won't hurt anything.

the engine doesnt get wet when it rains, not supposed to anyway.

i use seran wrap around my alternator and try to avoid the distributor all together

A can of Gunk and a pressure washer to rinse it off every few months. I cover the alternator, battery and Windshield washer motor with rags before hand...

i agree on covering all that disributor and or coild pack all..
but i want to add 1 thing make sure your oil cap is tight and power steering if you have it..but don't spray it hot hot..good luck.....and if you go 2 cleaning underneath car i always use oven cleaner....


SCRAPPER....

I detail various vehicles underhood. After 1980, the engines of domestics and imports alike can be GENTLY sprayed and rinsed with water while turned off, then start up for drying without problems.

Pre-80 cars and trucks need the plastic bags over distributor, coil, etc.

The hot tips I have discovered are:

1. Simple Green cleaner - biodegradable, safe to drain into gutter

2. Wet engine lightly before spraying on Simple Green

3. Big long-bristle wheel and tire brush for general scrubbing

4. Old toothbrushes for tight spots

5. Rinse carefully with gentle water spray

6. Start engine and drive 15 minutes to dry off

7. Formula 2001 (now by Turtle Wax) - spray on everything
after engine cools down, then wipe shiny with old rags

Each time you clean the same engine, you'll get farther back into the crevices, producing progressively better results.