Engine detailing/cleaning

[kcjaz]

I have never had a professional details service clean my engine bay but I am going to have the interior done after my last adventure because I just don’t have the time and it needs more than a wipe down.

I was thinking about getting the whole truck detailed including the engine bay but I am nervous to let anyone besides myself do that. I’ve got more going on under the hood than I think the average car detailed will understand. Just don’t want anything stupid to happen. I don’t really need a showroom engine bay. I don’t want a pressure washer near anything. Steam clean maybe. All I’ve really ever done is manually wipe it down. Are the risks of this just in my head?

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

I don’t have anything going on under the hood like you do (electrical work, etc) but I’ve had good like just spraying everything down with a degreaser that’s safe for aluminum and plastic (key) , letting it sit for a few minutes, and then rinsing it down with a garden house. Definitely right on avoiding the power washer. I wipe it down and call it done.

 

[OregonLC]

My method:

- Start with a cold engine.
- Spray some Simple Green where there is adhesion of grid due to fluid contamination. Dust/dirt will just rinse off. Let it soak for a minute or two.
- Start the truck.
- Spray off using lower pressure from a garden hose nozzle. I've never worried about the 'avoid specific areas' other than common sense.
- Once it's to your liking and all of the Simple Green spots are no longer making bubbles you're done.
- Continue to allow the truck to idle until water is evaporated off. Water that rinses isn't a problem. It's water that lingers that can cause issues.
- This is a warm-season exercise. I wouldn't do it if nights get below freezing and you're not certain that all is evaporated off.
- Apply 303 to the rubber seals

I've done this for years (decades?) and have never had an issue. Obviously, if you have less durable aftermarket mods you'd want to use your own discretion.

 

[doru]

Some other V8 have problems with water in the valley between the heads. Are any issues with this V8?

 

[OregonLC]

I've not had any problem, either with the 100 (which has the starter in the valley) or on the 200. Engines can get wet, they just get grumpy when they stay wet. Or get salt water on them.

 

[tbisaacs]

My method:

- Start with a cold engine.
- Spray some Simple Green where there is adhesion of grid due to fluid contamination. Dust/dirt will just rinse off. Let it soak for a minute or two.
- Start the truck.
- Spray off using lower pressure from a garden hose nozzle. I've never worried about the 'avoid specific areas' other than common sense.
- Once it's to your liking and all of the Simple Green spots are no longer making bubbles you're done.
- Continue to allow the truck to idle until water is evaporated off. Water that rinses isn't a problem. It's water that lingers that can cause issues.
- This is a warm-season exercise. I wouldn't do it if nights get below freezing and you're not certain that all is evaporated off.
- Apply 303 to the rubber seals

I've done this for years (decades?) and have never had an issue. Obviously, if you have less durable aftermarket mods you'd want to use your own discretion.

+1 here. Some light brushing and degreaser works well. When I do get the truck detailed they use a steamer which is super effective and no excess water hanging out in the nooks and crannies.