Don't fear the cleaner

[Brad Hearing]

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?

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[Bob Burd]

It's a Jeep, it can take it. Use low pressure, soap and rinse

 

[1941KY24]

I've had the same concerns in the past. The few times I have cleaned under the hood consisted of disconnecting the battery after running until I have a barely warm engine, spray it down with Simple Green and rinse with a water hose while trying to avoid the fuse box as much as possible. I also let the vehcile sit the rest of the weekend if possible.

 

[Terrymo]

I don’t detail like some, but if I end up with lots of mud under the hood I use a garden hose with a nozzle on a wide spray pattern. Then I use a spray bottle filled with Simple Grren aircraft as recommended by @roaniecowpony followed by rinse with the hose nozzle on a wide spay pattern. I use an electric leaf blower to push any pooled water off surfaces, then drive it so the engine heat evaporates any leftover water. I have a pressure washer but personally wouldn’t use it on the engine bay.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXU7OE?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

 

[Roky]

It’s a Jeep…. you have no business under the hood with cleaning supplies…

 

[Brad Hearing]

I don’t detail like some, but if I end up with lots of mud under the hood I use a garden hose with a nozzle on a wide spray pattern. Then I use a spray bottle filled with Simple Grren aircraft as recommended by @roaniecowpony followed by rinse with the hose nozzle on a wide spay pattern. I use an electric leaf blower to push any pooled water off surfaces, then drive it so the engine heat evaporates any leftover water. I have a pressure washer but personally wouldn’t use it on the engine bay.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXU7OE?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

any worries about electrical?

 

[yokramer]

I just hold the pressure washer further away and go to town. Detail shops pressure wash engine bays all the time. Its not like the old days you gotta worry about getting water in the distributor or in a spark plug well. So long as you arent blasting it from 3" away on full power you should be fine.

 

[GATORB8]

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.

 

[Terrymo]

any worries about electrical?

Not with a spray bottle and the wide spray pattern with a garden hose. I mean yeah I’m conscious of not blasting water into a connector, but driving through big puddles or a creek crossing can send water and mud up to the underside of the hood without issue.

 

[Terrymo]

It’s a Jeep…. you have no business under the hood with cleaning supplies…

I guess if the dried chunks of mud don’t fall off on their own, they’re meant to be there.

 

[yokramer]

I guess if the dried chunks of mud don’t fall off on their own, they’re meant to be there.

I only cleaned mine to chase a coolant smell lol .... never did see any leaks anywhere.

 

[Terrymo]

I only cleaned mine to chase a coolant smell lol .... never did see any leaks anywhere.

Yeah I have PTSD after the blown radiator because of the sickeningly sweet smell of coolant still burning off.

 

[Pape]

Don't go bananas and you will be fine. Just think how it look like in there when you drive at 80 in a downpour. It can take some

 

[Twisted10]

i havent cleaned mine from diving into a hole 2 years ago.

jesus, thats sounds kinky...

 

[Roky]

I guess if the dried chunks of mud don’t fall off on their own, they’re meant to be there.

I found the best way to get the dirt clods off under the hood is to crawl underneath it, they fall right off, usually right on your face…

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