Don't fear the cleaner

[Sand Flea]

Simple Green, a bucket of water, a sponge, and a garden hose.
Dry it with a leaf blower.

Sponsored

 

[roaniecowpony]

I dont need mine sparkling clean. Just clean enough that i dont get a dirt ball in my eye working under it. My latest engine has only been cleaned once in the year its been since installation. Just a quick spray of aluminum safe simple green aircraft cleaner, and squirt with a garden hose. Everything under the hood gets douched, including the alternator and batteries.

 

[ScotM]

I dont need mine sparkling clean. Just clean enough that i dont get a dirt ball in my eye working under it. My latest engine has only been cleaned once in the year its been since installation. Just a quick spray of aluminum safe simple green aircraft cleaner, and squirt with a garden hose. Everything under the hood gets douched, including the alternator and batteries.

Never douched my alternator before. (I know, but I couldn’t resist)

 

[roaniecowpony]

Never douched my alternator before. (I know, but I couldn’t resist)

You could put a bag over it. Hmmm would that make it a douche bag?

 

[Kraty1]

I've been considering washing the engine bay for a few years now on my 2018, found this stuff on Amazon and followed the instructions (only covered the alternator). Seemed to do the trick without issue.

P21S 13001B Auto Wash W/Sprayer,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002LBKCE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[AFD]

I periodically go through the touchless car wash with the undercarriage spray and that gets most of the lower engine bay "clean enough" for me. And once or twice a year I'll wipe down everything up top with some of the orange degreaser Armor All cleaning wipes (or Simple Green if it's really nasty).

Was never crazy about spraying water and cleaners directly into an engine bay, though I'm sure it's fine and definitely quicker/easier. Honestly doubt 90% of people ever clean in there once. I only do it cause I read somewhere long ago that a mechanic might appreciate it and treat your ride with a bit more care. Was probably Griots Garage propaganda. Seems unlikely a mechanic would give two shits if I'm an OCD neatfreak that tenderly cleans the air vents with a toothbrush just to impress the ladies

 

[roaniecowpony]

I periodically go through the touchless car wash with the undercarriage spray and that gets most of the lower engine bay "clean enough" for me. And once or twice a year I'll wipe down everything up top with some of the orange degreaser Armor All cleaning wipes (or Simple Green if it's really nasty).

Was never crazy about spraying water and cleaners directly into an engine bay, though I'm sure it's fine and definitely quicker/easier. Honestly doubt 90% of people ever clean in there once. I only do it cause I read somewhere long ago that a mechanic might appreciate it and treat your ride with a bit more care. Was probably Griots Garage propaganda. Seems unlikely a mechanic would give two shits if I'm an OCD neatfreak that tenderly cleans the air vents with a toothbrush just to impress the ladies

Well, I certainly appreciate working on a clean engine, but I'm just "the mechanic" for my jeep and other vehicles. I always precede any engine work with a thorough cleaning of the area I'm about to work on, if at all possible. I hate working on truly filthy stuff. The cleaner the better.

Here's some pix of another guy's engines while he was changing out the oil filter housing. Mine would have been similar, but I spent a lot of time trying to clean before I did the work. Mine is the last picture, which is cleaner, but not free from debris.

 

[ObiMatt87]

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

That is such a distinctive smell... Been there, done that.

 

[Old Dogger]

Simple Green, a bucket of water, a sponge, and a garden hose.
Dry it with a leaf blower.

The same here!

 

[AFD]

Cleaned up my upper engine bay by hand again today just using some Armor All wipes and a small flathead to get in the nooks and crannies. Wasn't horrible to begin with, other than getting around the spots the undercoat guys sprayed up the sides.

Did notice there's a sticker at the front left of the bay saying not to spray, or use a high-pressure washer or maybe a Buck Rogers space zapper. I dunno, I cleaned the sticker but forgot to actually read what it said

Sponsored