Cleaning the engine Bay

[NathanJ]

It was suggested that i clean the engine bay. I took a few pictures. From what i read step one was covering the electronics (connections and anything that seams like a bath was a bad idea for.) I think i counted 8 places that i used saran rap on. then i used one can of Scrubbing bubbles. then i drank a beer (as i was directed to do.) then i used the hose on shower and washed it all off. I then dried the parts by hand with a micro fiber towel. I noticed a few places where the plastic appeared to be "stained" by the scrubbing bubbles. i think the engine was fairly cool (its 100 outside and it was 1 hour since i drove ..) black was a little less black. I took my tire shine and applied it to the areas and they look better now but not what i had hoped for. i guess they sell "dressing" and maybe i need to get some.

while i was doing this my wife said What are you doing and why? i said im cleaning my engine bay and because.

that's all i could come up with at the time but while i was drying everything i found two places where clamps have broken (i have posted the pictures in hopes to get part numbers so i can fix them) and i realized that cleaning the engine bay is a little like sitting down for dinner with the family. you are not just eating your getting a feel for how things are going or an update on how the day was....anyone else have a reason to clean the bay? and how often would you recommend it be done?


sorry for the narrative. anyone know what the part numbers are for the broken clips in the pictures. any idea why there broken? (this 100 is new to me as of a month ago)

 

[TheForger]

See that big harness that goes through the firewall on the passenger side right below the wiper motor you wrapped? Hit that with a lot of Saran wrap as well next time you clean the bay. That is the harness that plugs into your engine control module (please correct me if I'm wrong) and it is crucial you don't get water in there. Also, I believe you answered one of your own questions. It's very difficult to see what is wrong (leaks, broken clips, worn bushings/hoses) with dirt and grim all over everything. Having a nice engine bay is very important and almost necessary to perform a proper inspection of all the parts under your hood.


Official Jeep Recovery Vehicle

 

[2003lx470]

I clean mine once a year and usually take it a car wash to use the power wash with engine cleaner fluid. I cover the alternator.

 

[Sandroad]

What's in Scrubbing Bubbles and is it safe for all the stuff in the engine bay? If I need to spot clean a spill or mess in the engine bay I just use detergent and hot water and a brush.

 

[landylover21]

I usually will use a pressure washer and go around the engine bay, avoiding certain electricals and connections. Use a general purpose degreaser like Simple Green and dilute it. You do not want anything too strong. I killed the alternator on my old truck by repeated spraying at it trying to clean things up and the bearings seized up not too long after.



After that I use an air gun (or leaf blower if I don't have an air gun) to dry everything off.

Then dress all belts and hoses with a high quality dressing.

Cheers,

Rich

 

[jcrandall]

the reasons behind the cleaning make sense, and are the same reasons I cleaned mine. I used Simple green as well. Saranwrap (kind of, just loosely) the places OP did, and the harness @TheForger mentioned. Then hose on shower, then spray Simple Green liberally. Wait like 15 min, then hose on shower off. Then remove Saran Wrap and get rid of standing water with an air gun. Start engine. While things are running, use a towel to wipe things off. I'm sure a pressure washer would be more effective, but with my limited knowledge I was concerned about jacking something up.

As far as frequency goes, only when you find yourself not able to clearly see the parts under there?

 

[blatant]

I've used scrubbing bubbles for years, engines, under carriages and it really shines up bike motors. Never an issue or discoloration. I've used simple green as well to about the same end result. I've used heavily diluted castrol super clean to for the underside every now and again with excellent results. Living in the south west the bare metal / underside of a 15yr old truck looks better than a new one after one winter in most places in the us.

Most of the stuff on a 15yr old rig is already marginally discolored here or there. For your broken piece that you took a pic of, a bit of mechanics wire should fix that right up. Nice job!