My engine bay area was beginning to get a little dirty. Was wondering if anybody had any suggestions or precautions to take while cleaning the engine bay. I do have a cone filter on. Thanks in advance for any replys.

 

put a towel on the alternator and electronics, a bag over the filter and get some of the engine bay cleaners (many different companies out there) and follow the directions, they work pretty well then make sure you run the car shortly after to dry it all off...

 

I actually use as little degreasers as possible. Make sure the appropriate things aren't getting soaked in water.

I use a good car wash soap and some elbow grease. Some terry cloth towels and a few different soft-hard bristled brushes and you should be all set.

I rinse lightly before starting the car. Then continue with a good rinse down with the car running. Then shut the hood and let the heat build up to dry it off.

Repeat as necessary.

 

wouldn't it be bad to rinse down with the car running or leave a good amount of water on the parts with the car running, because water will quickly cool hot metal (i.e. engine) and can cause damage?

 

While running, yes, but if you clean it with the car off and there happened to be a pool of water on the heat shield then it'll just boil off pretty damn quickly. Its relatively safe to clean the engine bay as long as you do like mentioned above and protect the electrical components and cover the air filter.

 

+1

 

Try Simple Green diluted to 30%. Just spray the stuff on and then rinse it off with a hose. Do it a couple times on succesive weekends. If there are any stubborn spots then go over them with a sponge. This works for me, as it involves little elbow grease and is relatively eco-friendly.

 

Some of you are acting like the engine can't get wet. Cover the electrical, use simple green or a engine degreaser then spray it off. Itll look like the day you bought it.

 

I'm a firm believer in using Simple Green. It's eco-friendly and cleans the heck out of stuff. As far as covering stuff up before you rinse your engine bay I don't think it is necessary. An engine bay is not waterproof to begin with and is meant to get some water in it. Just be careful with the air filter though. Hydrolock can be a biotch.

 

avoid strong degreasers. try not to spray alt. too much. i have seen them fail instantly at work after some degreaser made its way in. if u hav some compressed air dry it with that then run it.

 

i heard using spray on wax also works....dont know tho

 

Thank You for all the replies guys. Greatly appreciated.

 

I've always used Simply Green to clean my engine bay. Works great and smells good!

 

a good smelling engine.. that's funny.

 

What about if you had an after market manifold like the infamous megan ?