Could use some help here - Toyota Yaris Forums

Dpudg · 08-26-2011, 03:54 AM

Today I decided to clean my engine, I used some engine degreaser, and lightly showered it with water, It looked fine and started no problem. The only problem is my car has a moldy smell when you first get in, since it is too late tonight to try to get under the hood, anyone have any suggestions where to look tomorrow?

Also, not really a problem, just curious, The plastic window infront of my gauges likes to rattle, anyone have a DIY tip for that?

-Thanks much

rningonfumes · 08-26-2011, 04:30 AM

Moldy smell?

Did you get water into those vents at the base of the windshield (outside)? The only thing I could think of is that you got water in there and loosened some stuff up. Nothing else in the actual engine bay would give that odor.

bronsin · 08-26-2011, 05:23 AM

Do NOT clean your engine with degreasers!

I dont know howmany times I have read posts like this:

I cleaned my engine and now it wont start/wont idle/backfires/CEL comes on.

It looks like you got away with it this time.

You might be real sorry some day if you keep doing it.

Klink10 · 08-26-2011, 06:10 AM

Just washing my car gets water on the engine. I just use the residual h20 to wipe things down along with my air blaster (produces warm air) used for detailing to aid in drying. For severe cleaning I use my steamer and wipe. Bottom line "for me" is protect the alternator before and go overboard with the blaster and compressed air to dry. No pressure washer or hose used for engine. The rest of the car gets a snow foam allowed to dwell and then rinsed. Washed using the 2BM and rinsed with reg. hose low pressure. Dried with the air blaster and MF focusing on all nooks and crannies. Usually I will remove the front bumper cause its a pain to get all that water out from behind it even with the drying tools mentioned. Once a year I'll remove and clean all the cowling etc to ensure nothing blocks air flow or water drainage. Didn't really want to type this much as there will be lots of folks with different approaches than mine but I've been known to be anal when it comes to vehicle cleaning.

bronsin · 08-26-2011, 11:42 AM

Hmm sounds pretty gay to me.

Not that theres anything wrong with that.

08-26-2011, 03:54 AM	#1
Dpudg Drives: 2007 Toyota yaris sedan s Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego California Posts: 6	Could use some help here Today I decided to clean my engine, I used some engine degreaser, and lightly showered it with water, It looked fine and started no problem. The only problem is my car has a moldy smell when you first get in, since it is too late tonight to try to get under the hood, anyone have any suggestions where to look tomorrow? Also, not really a problem, just curious, The plastic window infront of my gauges likes to rattle, anyone have a DIY tip for that? -Thanks much

08-26-2011, 04:30 AM	#2
rningonfumes Drives: Yaris Sedan 5MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 865	Moldy smell? Did you get water into those vents at the base of the windshield (outside)? The only thing I could think of is that you got water in there and loosened some stuff up. Nothing else in the actual engine bay would give that odor. __________________

08-26-2011, 05:23 AM	#3
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,790	Do NOT clean your engine with degreasers! I dont know howmany times I have read posts like this: I cleaned my engine and now it wont start/wont idle/backfires/CEL comes on. It looks like you got away with it this time. You might be real sorry some day if you keep doing it.

08-26-2011, 06:10 AM	#4
Klink10 View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 910 Posts: 1,229	Just washing my car gets water on the engine. I just use the residual h20 to wipe things down along with my air blaster (produces warm air) used for detailing to aid in drying. For severe cleaning I use my steamer and wipe. Bottom line "for me" is protect the alternator before and go overboard with the blaster and compressed air to dry. No pressure washer or hose used for engine. The rest of the car gets a snow foam allowed to dwell and then rinsed. Washed using the 2BM and rinsed with reg. hose low pressure. Dried with the air blaster and MF focusing on all nooks and crannies. Usually I will remove the front bumper cause its a pain to get all that water out from behind it even with the drying tools mentioned. Once a year I'll remove and clean all the cowling etc to ensure nothing blocks air flow or water drainage. Didn't really want to type this much as there will be lots of folks with different approaches than mine but I've been known to be anal when it comes to vehicle cleaning.

08-26-2011, 11:42 AM	#5
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,790	Hmm sounds pretty gay to me. Not that theres anything wrong with that.