Washing engine compartment

[johnsmellsalot]

http://youtu.be/6_pt6j6HjFA

The only things you're really going to want to cover up are the distributer cap (if applicable) and the intake. Also, I recommend letting the engine cool for at least 4 hours before spraying cold water in there. Last thing you want is a cracked engine block. I never spray engine dressings in there because dirt will just stick to it and make it worse.

I like to spray my engine with a garden hose everytime I wash the car.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

I like the idea of using a leaf blower to dry it. I usually drive around the block to dry it.
Originally Posted By: Malo83
I wash out my engine compartment everytime I wash the car, keeps the buildup from starting, use and old rag and wipe everthing down with the soapy water and rinse, use a leaf blower to get all the water out

 

[HTSS_TR]

I used Castrol Super Cleane in purple jug, diluted 50-50 with water. Sprayed on warm, not hot, engine and let it soaked for about 10 minutes then rinsed off with garden hose. Used blower to blow off water from the engine, had the hood up for couple hours to dry off.

 

[ltslimjim]

Distributor cap or any number of electrically sensitive parts like an alternator and no spraying into the intake kids...should be fine.

Apply chemicals to a cold engine, IIRC?, and only to the casing/plastics not to where water can puddle(observe in advance and remember to check after) and rinse off then let the hot engine dry it off faster.

Most completely cover the distributor and alternator(unless only mist towards the alternator and nothing will drip onto it !!!)...oh, don't spray the spark plug wells.

 

[boxcartommie22]

for heavy grease nothing works better then gunk it mets it right off!!

 

[dblshock]

When I buy a brand new vehicle I douse the engine and compartment everything with at least a dozen cans of pure silicone over a weeks time..never wash it off.

 

[antonmnster]

I hose mine down at least a few times per year. Just spray with some common degreaser and hose off.

I wouldn't use high pressure, but everything in there is designed to get wet. (Well... except for GM 4-tech, Ford 5.0, and all Toyota distributors...)

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I used Castrol Super Cleane in purple jug, diluted 50-50 with water. Sprayed on warm, not hot, engine and let it soaked for about 10 minutes then rinsed off with garden hose. Used blower to blow off water from the engine, had the hood up for couple hours to dry off.
Castrol doesn't make it anymore, but the stuff is so popular that another outfit bought the rights to make it. That's what Wallyworld sells now. I use it on engines, wheels, and since it passes the FDA test for food service, even for kitchen cleaning.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I used Castrol Super Cleane in purple jug, diluted 50-50 with water. Sprayed on warm, not hot, engine and let it soaked for about 10 minutes then rinsed off with garden hose. Used blower to blow off water from the engine, had the hood up for couple hours to dry off.
Castrol doesn't make it anymore, but the stuff is so popular that another outfit bought the rights to make it. That's what Wallyworld sells now. I use it on engines, wheels, and since it passes the FDA test for food service, even for kitchen cleaning.


This likely means that the product is NOT caustic, which means it will not pit or corrode metal or aluminum parts. A good product.

 

[boxcartommie22]

i can see castrol stopped making their degreaser because the stuff clean everything and that includes destroying your chrome and stainless steel on your engine.i learned the hard way..was pure garbage!!

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: boxcartommie22
i can see castrol stopped making their degreaser because the stuff clean everything and that includes destroying your chrome and stainless steel on your engine.i learned the hard way..was pure garbage!!


If it is FDA approved for food service use it cannot be caustic, hard to believe it damaged the chrome or stainless steel. UNLESS you let it evaporate from the parts from a hot engine.

 

[cjcride]

Originally Posted By: johnsmellsalot
I like the idea of using a leaf blower to dry it. I usually drive around the block to dry it.
Originally Posted By: Malo83
I wash out my engine compartment everytime I wash the car, keeps the buildup from starting, use and old rag and wipe everthing down with the soapy water and rinse, use a leaf blower to get all the water out

Seen guys use a leaf blower to get charcoal briquets red hot in record time.