Cleaning/Degreasing engine bay

[SchobTime]

Hey all - What are you using to clean your 5.7s? I am thinking just using engine degreaser or simple green with minimum water - but I am freaked about rinsing it off due to all my gadgets

 

[T4Runner]

I use Simple Green and then rinse it down. I do it in a self service car wash. I typically do it only once a year and refrain from high pressure at point blank range at cruicial locations. Don’t be afraid to get everything wet. It’s a motor vehicle, it gets wet.

 

[gaijin]

I use Simple Green and then rinse it down. I do it in a self service car wash. I typically do it only once a year and refrain from high pressure at point blank range at cruicial locations. Don’t be afraid to get everything wet. It’s a motor vehicle, it gets wet.

And it wouldn't hurt to use the version of Simploe Green that won't corrode Aluminum: Simple Green | Industrial | Extreme Aircraft Precision Cleaner

HTH

 

[slicky rick]

has anybody tried using plain diesel fuel for cleaning the engine bay?

 

[RickC5]

I use Simple Green and then rinse it down. I do it in a self service car wash. I typically do it only once a year and refrain from high pressure at point blank range at cruicial locations. Don’t be afraid to get everything wet. It’s a motor vehicle, it gets wet.

I do this same thing. Been cleaning engine compartments at $.25 car washes for over 50 years (I'm 70) and haven't had any problems except on really old vehicles where some water got inside the distributor. Never had a problem with newer vehicles. Here's a photo of my 1983 Toyota pickup's engine bay.

 

[SQRRRL]

has anybody tried using plain diesel fuel for cleaning the engine bay?

I’ve used kerosine on a rag in the past but a Simle Green type degreaser works best with warm water.

 

[TonyP]

Be mindful of the passenger side behind headlight area as that's where the AIP sucks in air.

 

[Chocolate]

I’ve used kerosine on a rag in the past but a Simle Green type degreaser works best with warm water.

A molotov cocktail does sound like overkill.

 

[RickC5]

I spray Simple Green or 409 all over the engine compartment just before I start to power wash at the $.25 car wash. Either one will break loose most of the accumulated crud. That said, if you're trying to clean the engine bay on a 35 year old truck with 150K miles on it (like our '83), some elbow grease will likely need to be supplied too. As long as you're working on a cold engine, stuff like mineral spirits on a rag can be used. Just make sure it has all evaporated prior to starting.

 

[SchobTime]

I am going to go the Extreme Simple Green route with light water rinse (no-pressure wash)..I am worried about my compressor and locker relays - will cover those with a plastic bag

 

[ptrsn]

I used a Dawn dish water mix on Kiley hoses & kitchen cleaner on the metal
Need some advice on the battery area to protect.

 

[ptrsn]

As expected the was some residue on the power trans. hose
Dawn mix worked and the sprayed all rubber and plastic with tire shine

 

[Reg Wang]

in terms of spraying the engine bay (200 series but same logic), typical advice is to use plastic bag to wrap the alternator and battery terminals/whole battery. But I still wonder if the degreaser products (like the chemical guys orange) are they safe to liberally spray everywhere?
there's also a product called StrongArm Fluid, Amazon product ASIN B00SSVZZT4
the strongarm fluid is a "all metal type" corrosion converter and protector, and can be spray EVERYWHERE on all surface...again, anybody used it? Should I first degrease, brush, wash off, dry, and then apply the StrongArm?

 

[kcjaz]

I'm going to get my 200 detailed, paint corrected and OEM PPF removed and partial PPF reinstalled. For convenience, I was thinking about having the detailer do the engine bay but I'm a bit worried about letting anyone except me open the the hood and letting a detail tech, whose likely never seen a 200, go to town with degreaser and water. I can point out my accessories (relo'd winch controller and air compressor plus locker switches) but I generally suffer from lack of trust issues. Wonder if its just better to do this myself. Has anyone had issues with a professional detailer detailing the engine bay?

 

[bloc]

I'm going to get my 200 detailed, paint corrected and OEM PPF removed and partial PPF reinstalled. For convenience, I was thinking about having the detailer do the engine bay but I'm a bit worried about letting anyone except me open the the hood and letting a detail tech, whose likely never seen a 200, go to town with degreaser and water. I can point out my accessories (relo'd winch controller and air compressor plus locker switches) but I generally suffer from lack of trust issues. Wonder if its just better to do this myself. Has anyone had issues with a professional detailer detailing the engine bay?

IF it goes bad you’ll be mad at yourself.

I’ve had great results with Gunk brand foaming engine degreaser for general cleaning, and their standard stuff that doesn’t foam each oil change for my timing chain cover leak.

The foaming version stays on longer and uses gravity to help pull dust and dirt off of things, but the cleaning action itself isn’t as aggressive as the standard and HD version. The standard drips down into areas that the foam won’t, like the area above the AC compressor that gets nasty from my oil leak.

I’ve found the HD stuff to be too aggressive, with it corroding aluminum.

Also I would do all of this before detailing, as if any gets into the paint it’s not a problem, but I assume the detailer will do a good wash anyway.

 

[SQRRRL]

Simple green, warm water, silicon 50/50 water in spray bottle. Cheap and easy.

 

[novamarc]

Is there a general consensus on plastic bagging the alternator or battery? Or is it just fine to go to town on the engine bay as long as the water pressure isn't too high?

 

[SQRRRL]

Is there a general consensus on plastic bagging the alternator or battery? Or is it just fine to go to town on the engine bay as long as the water pressure isn't too high?

Low pressure. Do not hydraulic the motor. Open butt garden hose.

 

[bloc]

Is there a general consensus on plastic bagging the alternator or battery? Or is it just fine to go to town on the engine bay as long as the water pressure isn't too high?

The brushes in our alternator are shielded from water, and none of the rest of it should be sensitive to it. I’d avoid hitting the front bearing with direct close-up spray from a power washer or similar.

I also have had great luck with a cone or wedge pattern from a garden hose nozzle. A little more velocity to knock loose stubborn dirt but not enough to get into places it shouldn’t be.

 

[kcjaz]

Used a little Simple Green and a garden sprayer. Then a little Armoral on plastics though I have read not to use Armoral in the engine bay. I’ve done that before and never had an issue. The air inlet was/still is discolored. Was that way when I bought it and it didn’t shine up.