Don't fear the cleaner

[Atomic-Mouse]

As in you don’t daily your jeeps? Man I’ve been putting on 3500 miles in less than 6 weeks. I drive it through sand, mud, dirt and manhattan potholes pretty much daily!

I’m actually surprised at how many folks on this forum look at their Jeeps as weekenders instead of daily drivers. I’ve always wondered: Is it because you want to prolong its life for the fun stuff rather than waste miles on plain roads? Kinda feels like a luxury to have that perspective.

No, I don’t daily drive my three Jeeps. Am I supposed to feel guilty for that in some way?

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[LARSONEM]

How bad is it? I always just hit it with the same detailer I use on the exterior and a microfiber. Only thing that doesn't look good is the hood liner.

Don't use a power washer on the hood liner. Don't ask me how I know; just take my advice that it's a bad idea.

 

[ScotM]

Washed mine for the first time, it was still wet when I fired up my on board compressor to top off the tire pressure. Don’t do that. Blew the fuses on the arb compressor. Dried everything using my blower, replaced the fuses, no more issue. My switch is also under the hood. Not sure exactly the causes, but I’m assuming too much water in all the wrong places

 

[flick2614]

If you're that worried about it just cover your intake in plastic and use an air compressor.

 

[Bayrat]

I use a power washer on them all, always have. Avoid electronics.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Don't use any type of cleaner on a hot engine. Dead cold or slightly warm is best for soap cleaners to prevent corrosion. Solvent cleaners are a fire hazard especially on a hot engine.

Use an aluminum safe cleaner or your engine will corrode to a flakey green. Ask me how I know.

No, self-service pressure wand car washes do not use aluminum safe soaps. Bring your own aluminum safe soap and select "rinse" for just water.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

No, I don’t daily drive my three Jeeps. Am I supposed to feel guilty for that in some way?

Absolutely not. I was just genuinely curious because now I feel guilty for daily driving mine.

 

[yokramer]

Absolutely not. I was just genuinely curious because now I feel guilty for daily driving mine.

Im at almost 45k miles since December 22 on my 23 model. I bought it to enjoy, its been from NC to TN/AL/KY wheeling and now moved to Colorado and been out every other weekend since we got here in June. No reason to feel guilty for using it either.

 

[ScotM]

I use a power washer on them all, always have. Avoid electronics.

I did as well, some water was on the battery, I never sprayed directly on the battery, fuse box or alternator, next time towel over the battery and fuse box

 

[Terrymo]

Im at almost 45k miles since December 22 on my 23 model. I bought it to enjoy, its been from NC to TN/AL/KY wheeling and now moved to Colorado and been out every other weekend since we got here in June. No reason to feel guilty for using it either.

Wheel it, mall crawl it, stack it with ducks and make it a show car, or lower it and make it a drift car…who are we to judge?

The judgey judgers that’s who.

 

[yokramer]

Wheel it, mall crawl it, stack it with ducks and make it a show car, or lower it and make it a drift car…who are we to judge?

The judgey judgers that’s who.

 

[Mike Connolly]

I've always been nervous about opening up the hood and actually cleaning *under there* at a car wash (baby take my hand).

questions:

1 - wouldn't I run a risk of chemicals getting into the air intake for the engine? isn't water also bad?

2 - what about fragility in the form of high pressure water hitting hoses and whatnot? any chance of knocking things off kilter?

3 - we'll be able to fly?

Just cover your alternator and have fun

 

[SadRobot]

Yeah, but owning a jeep has aged me beyond my years.

Before I bought a jeep.

After just a few years of jeep ownership.

And in just a few more years you're gonna be....

 

[roaniecowpony]

And in just a few more years you're gonna be....

At least I will be able trick or treat for Halloween

To be fair, Angelina put some years on me too.

 

[etoften]

I have washed every engine bay on every vehicle i have ever owned the same way. Dump the dirty but still soapy bucket of water left from washing your ride slowly and thoroughly song the engine bay. Hit it with a light mist from the garden hose to reactivate the suds. Wait a couple of minutes and rinse. I usually crank it and let it run with the hood closed while I am cleaning up the wash supplies.

Dirty bucket water you say???? Remember it was clean enough to wash the last exterior panel you just did minutes ago. It's plenty good for the engine bay. I have had multiple vehicles pass the 200,000 mile mark and never had an issue due to water intrusion.

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