This car is 99 camry, Just changed timing belt on it, and seeing a little gap on timing belt cover. its one thing that freaking me out, another is alternator should i keep it in sun before start car to let it dry? would it be harmful to put on some engine degreeser on it? should i cover my oil filter with plastic or something as it is right in front of the block.quote:
Originally posted by JohnnyO:
Assuming it's a newer car, they're sealed up pretty well really. After I'm done with the outside I open the hood, use the wash mitt on all the surfaces, then dump the rest of the bucket all over the engine and hose it off. I don't cover anything, never had a problem. FWIW the '91 Lincoln I sold two years ago had 152k on it and you could eat off the engine.
I have a 00 camry 4 cyl. I used engine degreaser and a garden hose. Covered nothing. The engine degreaser does discolour some of the paintwork, and it is not even the heavy duty stuff. Best to use soap & water and scrubbing with a sponge. Used my garden hose and sprayed over everything,including the alternator. Everything works fine.
I wouldn't worry about it. Unless it's greasy, the degreaser can cause more harm on electronics than water. As long as the filter is tight, which it should be, I wouldn't worry about it. I go off-roading once or twice a year with my Ranger club and I get mud around my oil filter but it doesn't get past the gasket. (I change the filter afterward anyway just to be safe though.) Dump soapy water all over and hose it off, then start it up to evaporate the water. Be brave, little one.
