Car engine/hood cleaned

[boggydee]

Can anyone please tell me how to clean my engine/hood. Pics will be great! Ive seen peaople do this but im not quiet sure which part you should cover when spraying..

[frog13]

I presume...how would someone clean their cars engine and clean the underside of the engine compartments hood?

With todays electronics,do not go crazy with "flooding" the compartment with water and back off on the water pressure.Some folks prescribe steam cleaning(not like a dry cleaners).You can purchase steam cleaners for automobiles but there expensive.Experiment....start off with a mild detergent and water and see how that works for ya.They do sell engine degreasers,but, again beware of the eletronics...degreasers are strong formulas.:eek:

[big lo]

Out here in PR we have a product called Docter mechanic, this product is really good, its a degreser but with citus, with degresers they are strong and it leaves spots all over. If theres a simalar product what you need to do is hose your engine down first to release the dirt, then spray evenly throughout the engine and hood leave it for about 15 min then spray off. But before doing this make sure your engine is cold then you ll see the results clean as a whisle. I do this every month, because I live by the beach and if you happen to live by the beach clean the bottom as well its good maintenece, for you and your vehicle. So get going and start cleaning that engine, and dont worry about getting any electrical wires etc wet, they dry. When you are finished leaving the engine clean start you car for about 20 min, and you will see no problem, holla at your boy.

[zoomzoom]

Hope this help some of you is cleaning/detailing your engine bay.

Detailing your engine bay and keeping it clean not only makes working on your engine easier but it shows a sense of pride of ownership. Modern engines are fairly easy to clean and detail, but keep in mind that you will using liquids and water around electrical equipment. Modern cars are sealed very well from the factory, but you should protect equipment such as the ECU or the Alternator. If you don't know what these are or what they look like, ask someone who knows.

Here are some products to try out.

-A quality degreaser such as Eimann Fabrik's VOC Engine Degreaser (http://properautocare.com/eifavocfrend.html) or Meguiars Super Degreaser (http://properautocare.com/mesude1ga.html)

-A couple of brushes (I use old paint brushes)

-Running water

-Towels

-These are some of my favorite dressing's such as Meguiars Natural Shine (http://properautocare.com/menashvirupr.html), Meguiars Hyperdressing (http://properautocare.com/mehydr.html), or 1Z's Vinyl-Rubber Care and Protectant (http://properautocare.com/eivicapr.html)

1) The engine can be warm or cool to the touch, although warmer temperatures will help break down grease and grime. However you do NOTwant to spray cool water on a hot engine!

2) Use aluminum foil and wrap it around sensitive electrical equipment such as alternator or the ECU. Do NOT use aluminum foil on the battery as you could bridge the terminals.

3) Where gloves and eye protection to protect against any caustic chemicals. You do NOT want engine degreaser ending up in your eye's!

4) Spray a liberal amount of engine degreaser on all areas that need to be cleaned and allow to dwell for 30 seconds.

5) Agitate the degreaser into a lather using a soft brush to help facilitate the removal of stubborn grease and grit.

6) Rinse throughly using flowing water. Avoid spraying water with pressure on to sensitive equipment, but rather work around them. Rinse all solution off the engine, fire wall, and inner fenders.

7) Dry the engine as much as possible. If you have a high speed electric leaf blower use it remove as much standing water as possible from all the various nooks and crannies. If you have a wet vac you can use this to such water out of tight areas. If you have neither use a towel to soak up as much as possible.

8) Close engine bay and start engine. Allow to run up to normal operating temperature for at least 5 minutes.

9) After engine dries, apply your favorite dressing to the hoses and plastics, and enjoy!

In pictures:

My friends Hyundai was in desperate need of having its engine detailed. A perfect demo car in need of some love!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing001.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing002.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing003.jpg

I sprayed the engine compartment down with a liberal coat of Eimann Fabrik's Engine Degreaser (http://properautocare.com/eifavocfrend.html). The degreaser immediately began to loosen the grease and grime.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing007.jpg

Very dirty areas require agitation with a soft brush.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing006.jpg

The underside of the hood was very dirty as well, and in need of a little cleaning.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing008.jpg

After flushing the engine bay throughly with water, little areas of grime might remain. This is a perfect time, if you desire, to get out a q-tip and clean any spots up.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing010.jpg

Remove as much standing water as possible, then close the engine and allow it to run up to operation temperature to facilitate drying. After it cools down, apply your favorite dressing and enjoy! I used 1Z Rubber-Vinyl Care 'Tienfienpfleger' (http://properautocare.com/eivicapr.html)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing011.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing012.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing013.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/truth/enginedetailing014.jpg

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[auxmike]

Do you work for Proper Autocare, by chance???

[Daddie Y]

I clean my engine with, Simple Green Motorsports.

[rene0023]

I spray the engine with a product named Doctor Mecánico. It is a safe but strong degreaser with citrus fragance and contains carnauba oil. Then, I rinse the engine with water. Make sure the engine is running when you are removing the degreaser. If you have installed in your Yaris a cold air intake should cover the filter with a plastic bag.

[Klink10]

ZoomZoom......thanks, very informative. Personally I don't let mine get to where extreme measures need to be taken. Metal kept up with a good quik detailer, plastic/rubber treated, shiny stuff polished and above all everything dried after a wash. I use a blower for detailing work (blows warm air) to blow all the water that accumulates out. Pay particular attention to the alternator and all electrical joinings.

[TrashCan Monster]

thanks for the info!