Super clean engine bay
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ShelbyGoat
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- trailblazer
steam cleaner
Beware of using a hose in your engine bay. It is generally not a good idea. There are videos out there of Carmax using pressure washers in the engine bay. This is one reason never to buy a vehicle from Carmax. You don't want water to infiltrate the following areas: Intake, electrical junctions, fuse relays/boxes, exposed wires/wire-leads, ignition parts, un-painted steel parts, top of strut bearings, this is just a start. This is why I will NEVER wash my engine bay. I have kept bays looking almost new simply by cleaning it once a month at least: Rag down any visual buildup with either spot-degreasing with a rag and degreaser, or use surface cleaner and a rag and spot clean areas, lots of paper towels or shop towels, and I usually Armor-All the engine covers, rubber hoses, etc. Armor-All is only a good idea in the engine bay as long as you keep on top of it. It attracts dirt/grease, so if you use it and close the hood for 6 months, you will have excessive buildup if you don't clean the bay regularly.
I sold a Passat a few years back and the buyer was very leary of the engine bay for looking brand new @ 10 years old. I finally was able to convince them that I am just that detailed, and that there was nothing wrong with the engine. Most people do see a clean bay and run though, I would agree.
On my Jeep I use Degreaser
I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty as well.
On that vehicle I use degreaser (in PR there is good one called Dr. Mecanico). When I clean the engine I do that with engine cold initially. I spray some degreaser all around (including the internal top of the hood); just after finishing spraying around, I turn on the engine and use a power washer machine set for around 600-800 PSI from about 2 feet away from the surface been washed (the top of the nozzle 2 feet away from the surface). I am very careful to use the power washer without keeping it too long over any specific surface. Once I finish with the power washer I let the car on idle, with the hood open for several minutes until the engine and surfaces looks dry. I have been doing this for about 9 years so far, every other month and I have not suffer any consequence. Not even the stickers have been affected at all.
I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty as well.
On that vehicle I use degreaser (in PR there is good one called Dr. Mecanico). When I clean the engine I do that with engine cold initially. I spray some degreaser all around (including the internal top of the hood); just after finishing spraying around, I turn on the engine and use a power washer machine set for around 600-800 PSI from about 2 feet away from the surface been washed (the top of the nozzle 2 feet away from the surface). I am very careful to use the power washer without keeping it too long over any specific surface. Once I finish with the power washer I let the car on idle, with the hood open for several minutes until the engine and surfaces looks dry. I have been doing this for about 9 years so far, every other month and I have not suffer any consequence. Not even the stickers have been affected at all.
Last edited:
dmesthetic
Member
Just another opinion, drive your car on the high way on a rainy day and open your hood...
Now with a pressure washer, you won t use more water than it gets from a normal rainy day. Most of new engine have plastic hoods so use a mit with soap and rinse. Dp this with lukewarm engine and after rinsing, start car and go for a spin. The heat will evaporate the water.
I washed hundred of cars from Ferrari to Vw and never had a problem. I do customer car for 8-10 years now wash the engine bay twice a year and noone ever had problem. Key is to hide alternator and spark plugs wires as much as you can
Now with a pressure washer, you won t use more water than it gets from a normal rainy day. Most of new engine have plastic hoods so use a mit with soap and rinse. Dp this with lukewarm engine and after rinsing, start car and go for a spin. The heat will evaporate the water.
I washed hundred of cars from Ferrari to Vw and never had a problem. I do customer car for 8-10 years now wash the engine bay twice a year and noone ever had problem. Key is to hide alternator and spark plugs wires as much as you can
To helbigtw. It can also be looked at in another way. That you really take care of your car. The first thing i look at is the inside. I noticed that it is immaculate, then i will pop the hood open and look at the engine. If i see that it is really bad i don't even bother anymore. A lot of the used car lots are like this. Only a few will go the extra mile to have the engine cleaned. When someone is selling a car that is what i look at after looking on the inside.
4wardmotion
Member
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- '08 CX-9 Sport AWD
For about 10 years now, I've been using Castrol Super Clean or Purple Power. I'll spray down the engine bay with the cleaner, wait about 5 minutes, and then rinse with a hose. If there happens to be a particularly dirty spot, I have a special grunge sponge that I'll use only in the engine compartment. I've done this on 7 or 8 different vehicles and I've never had an issue. I try to do it at least twice a year and it keeps the engine bay looking great. Personally, I wouldn't use a power washer and our water pressure is so wimpy here that I don't feel I'm compromising anything that doesn't already get wet in a rainstorm on the highway anyway.
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