[eabellard88]

Hello, has anyone cleaned/detailed their engine bay. I plan to do it myself by doing a dry clean first just to get all the loose dirt and then use tools and brushes to clean the smaller parts. I do not plan on using water but use a degreaser to clean it by using a mircofiber cloth to limit as much liquid and use a trim cleaner for the covers etc. Any tips will help

 

[deadrx7conv]

I take my car to the DIY car wash.
I pop the hood.
I soap the entire engine area and powerwash it off.

I wouldn't waste my time with a microfiber cloth or trying to limit liquid.

 

[DarrenBach]

"Powerwash" sounds a bit dangerous!

 

[reus49]

I take my car to the DIY car wash.
I pop the hood.
I soap the entire engine area and powerwash it off.

I wouldn't waste my time with a microfiber cloth or trying to limit liquid.

Man you got lots of electronics there!

 

[deadrx7conv]

Its not dangerous.

Everything is sealed/waterproof as long as you don't push the "wand" right up against anything and knock stuff off. Stand back a foot or 2.

If you do this with your garden hose, remove the "jet nozzle" for a normal spray pattern, about a foot wide where it hits the dirty engine area.

And, if you fear the car wash, then don't drive in the rain or splash thru puddles either. Stay home.

 

[tenergy]

Ditto to everything deadrx7conv said. Car wash bay + spray it down. Most car washes have an engine bay spray which includes a degreaser. Don't forget to do the underside of the hood. Black plastic can be cleaned up with whatever brand of 'black restorer' you like.

All those electronics get wet when it rains, duh. Maybe not 'quite' so wet but they get wet.

 

[TooGqForYou]

if in question, why risk it? especially with all those wires, but i mean to each is his or her own. I'd get it professionally cleaned if you were trying to "power wash" it which seems a bit much, but I'd personally look in to a professional steam cleaning team or detail service specific for this job.

 

[Robjh]

I hosed under the bonnet once to give the engine bay a clean up .. car wouldn't start afterwards !

Learnt my lesson, never do that again.

 

[camper]

don't do that on a 7 year old car. Sometimes plastic wire connectors get cracked, seals get leaking, when you spray water on it can short the electrical parts, water mix with other fluids, build more rust inside

 

[reus49]

don't do that on a 7 year old car. Sometimes plastic wire connaectors get cracked, seals get leaking, when you spray water on it can short the electrical parts, water mix with other fluids, build more rust inside

I personally wouldn’t do it even on a newer car!