[clancaster23]

Any recommendations on the best way to do it? Anything that should be covered to avoid soaking with water?

 

[forte_nacho]

good thread been thinking of doing this

 

[ForteGT2]

With all the electronics under the hood IMO the worst thing you could do is soak it down with water!!!
I try wiping it down, and in areas that need special care I like to use a brake/electrical cleaner -- but I wait long enough for it to evaporate before I even think of starting the engine.

 

[BicBoiFoDo]

Well if you have a good air source you can do as ForteSX2.4 mentioned and blow everything dry if you're really worried about water.

 

[xSilverX9x]

DON'T... you'll soak up electronics, easily... designed for rain, not for engine washing... READ YOUR OWNERS' MANUAL..

 

[Tuner]

Rag , Water , Small asian GF.... Get's the job done.

Maybe small people in general.

And abit of degreaser.. small amounts.

 

[PharaohKoup]

I am not saying that I would do it this way but it is a pretty good write up.

How To Clean Your Engine

 

[DePR84]

I'd say that engine bays on newer cars are actually pretty well covered up. I didn't have any issues with spraying it down with Engine Brite and rinsing. Just follow the instructions on the bottle and only spray in only the amount of water needed to rinse the degreaser off. Like I said, I didn't have any issues. Of course some of your cars may have more mods or electronics under the hood. I did it when I still had everything stock.

 

[duncanville1]

I wash my engine weekly every time i wash the car. I have done this since the day I have bought it, just like all the other cars I have had over the past 10 years. I have NEVER damaged any component nor had any issue from doing it. I don't spend allot of time or water there, but because I keep it very clean I don't have too.

 

[Matemorh]

Had my engine bay clean several time with degreaser and hight presure hose without ANY issue even with the CAI!!!! Just cover the open filter!!!

 

[forteshadow]

Iv used pressure washers on 3 cars ranging from 1990-2010 and have had no issues. Only issues that may develop is if you have a freyed or exposed wire already but the first good rain storm would find that.

 

[xXRockAweaRXx]

You could get it professionally done where they use steam.

 

[(K)illed (I)n (A)ction]

Armorall wipes.....20 minutes you're done, don't have to worry about getting anything soaked

 

[(K)illed (I)n (A)ction]

Rag , Water , Small asian GF.... Get's the job done.

Maybe small people in general.

And abit of degreaser.. small amounts.

My gf isn't asain, she's a rocker chic with more color in her hair then a rainbow....wanna switch for a day? My engine is kind of dirty! lol

 

[Rainyraven]

^^^^
LOL nice

 

[beneidas]

you can wash with high presure water, then well dry it with air blower
I've done it several time on my old car

 

[fas93]

Rag , Water , Small asian GF.... Get's the job done.

I am not small... but I am asian and I get the job done. I use a microfiber cloth and spray it with some detailing spray then wipe away! My engine bay is always super clean.

 

[johnzilla]

I used to detail cars and the only ones that ever had issues with washing their engines were cars with distributors. And even those are fine as long as you wait for your distributor to dry out. You wont be able to start your car until it does. Btw, I would recommend against using Armorall of any sort. Anything that's oil based will repel water and dry out plastics so once you apply it, you're forced to use it to keep the plastic moisturized. You're better off using something that's silicone based. It's usually a bit pricier but it lasts longer and doesn't dry out plastic.

 

[enosage]

Hi Everyone,

I have been cleaning engine bays for awhile now and the method I use seems to work the best for me.

1. Cover electronic and exposed areas (ecu, fuse box, air fiter like cone or CAI) with plastic bags you get from supermarkets.

2. Spray using a degreaser (I prefer Dr. Mechanico if you can find it) and spray it lightly around the engine bay.

3. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to do its magic on oil spills, grease, and dirt.

4. During this time, use a toothbrush or small brush to work heavy dirt spots out.

5. Get a water hose and set it to shower or a setting that doesn't have alot of pressure. You want to mimic rain.

6. Wash the engine bay at a distance of about 4-5 feet from areas. Don't soak the water too close to the engine or you may damage electronics like pigtails and sensors.

7. If you have a shop vac, set it to blow air and then blow out water from areas like valve cover and other electronics. The key is remove as much of the residual water as possible.

8. Remove plastic bags and then blow areas with air to remove any left over water.

9. Let engine bay air dry for at an hour (be sure to do this on a day you don't have to rush out the door).

10. Wipe down any water with a microfiber towel or finishing rag.

11. Done.

I did this to my Koup several times now and have had no issues. The key is let everything air dry and make sure no moisture has built up in any of the wiring or electronics. I also use a plastic cleaner and protector that is not armor-all to keep plastic nice a clean. I also use a product called AT-205 reseal and place it in a spray bottle and spray on rubber. This rejuvenates the rubber and keeps it firm and doesn't dry it out.

Hope this helps!

 

[tcope]

Btw, I would recommend against using Armorall of any sort. Anything that's oil based will repel water and dry out plastics so once you apply it, you're forced to use it to keep the plastic moisturized. You're better off using something that's silicone based.

AA has been water based for year now. I don't know of any common protectants that are silicone based (probably are some). Most are water based these days. Personally I'd stay far away from AA as well.