How do you clean out the bay?

[MustangKillr]

I was wondering how would I go about cleaning the engine bay? Not necessarily cleaning out the internals, just cleaning off all the dust to give it a cleaner look. Here's what it looks like now:



EDIT: As always the stupid picture won't appear on my computer, the link is there if anyone want to try to post it for me = /.

[7CAMARO7]

when the engine is cold, get some degreaser and spray liberally (not directly on wires and electronics) let it sit for a minute or two, then hose off. Repeat if necessary.

I use that orange cleaner from dollar tree for $1 and my own water hose.

your photo and profile is set to private

[CDN SS]

I use the same method as above but with Simple Green.

[MustangKillr]

Alright I fixed my profile. Whenever I switched to Profile 2.0 it switched everything back to private = /. Anyway, so just spray the degreaser all over the place and then I can openly hose off any part of the bay? Because from what I heard, you have to be really careful because you can majorly screw parts of the engine if they get wet. So I heard you have to carefully clean each part.

[7CAMARO7]

Originally Posted by MustangKillr

Alright I fixed my profile. Whenever I switched to Profile 2.0 it switched everything back to private = /. Anyway, so just spray the degreaser all over the place and then I can openly hose off any part of the bay? Because from what I heard, you have to be really careful because you can majorly screw parts of the engine if they get wet. So I heard you have to carefully clean each part.

no, you don't have to walk on egg shells when you do it.

Just don't do stupid things like spray water right into the intake or spray cold water on a hot engine or hose down the alternator real good

Other wise just spray degreaser everywhere else(spray a lot) then let it sit a while(2-5min) then just hose it off with (low pressure) water.

When you clean your engine you will want to make sure it is close to cold. What ever you do do not clean it while it is hot.

Its easy though. I can show you how one day.

[franknbeans]

Here's a funny, don't do that when hot story. . .

A friends, friend situation.

Borrowed dads old Ford hot rod. . . over heated.. .went into the gas station and grabbed a couple ice cold water bottles. .. dumped them in to the radiator.. . .

.

.........

...
.
Cracked the engine block!

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by franknbeans

Here's a funny, don't do that when hot story. . .

A friends, friend situation.

Borrowed dads old Ford hot rod. . . over heated.. .went into the gas station and grabbed a couple ice cold water bottles. .. dumped them in to the radiator.. . .

.

.........

...
.
Cracked the engine block!

OMG!!

[the Mole]

Originally Posted by franknbeans

Here's a funny, don't do that when hot story. . .

A friends, friend situation.

Borrowed dads old Ford hot rod. . . over heated.. .went into the gas station and grabbed a couple ice cold water bottles. .. dumped them in to the radiator.. . .

.

.........

...
.
Cracked the engine block!

Ha Ha I don't care who you are that's just funny!

[BLUEMARO]

Mix Dish washing liquid with 1 part Kerosene and 3 Parts Warm Water. Get a large soft sponge, one that will be easy to maneuver into tight spaces and under hoses, wires, etc. Wash engine and bay with liberal amounts of the mix. Use a soft brush if necessary to get into spaces the sponge cant get. Pay attention to not spend to much time scrubbing stickers and sensitive electronics. Rinse engine. Wipe off excess water with large towel or air dry naturally or by using a leaf blower. Sometimes if the car is old and the rubber parts have aged, you can as a second step rinse engine bay with mix water and Armour All. This will restore rubber to a nice black and add a bit of gloss to the painted surfaces. I personally don't use Armour All because it allows dust to stick but its a nice thing if your detailing the vehicle for immediate sale.

[MustangKillr]

Hahaha lol, that kind of worries me now lol. 7Camaro7 if you read this message before the sun goes down today, then hit me up with your address in a PM, I'll swing by your house and we can clean the bay out, that's the only thing stopping me from happily opening my car's hood in front of people lol.

[7CAMARO7]

Originally Posted by Libertyforall1776

Be sure to put a plastic bag over your alternator while spraying anything there, unless you want to replace the alternator due to failure (moisture)... Been there, done that. :-(

ouch! never happened to me before. Ever noticed how our alternators are at the lowest part of our engines and on the vettes its at the top?

I wonder why that is.

Anyway, I am pretty careful and lightly mist water over the engine after I've put degreaser on and it can't possibly be any more wet than when it rains...

I appreciate the advice though. I'll make sure to stay away from it especially since no one looks down that far.

[TopFuelTim]

Thanks all. Used a can of Gunk on a cold engine, and it did pretty good. I did cover up the alternator first. No problems. Seller had put something on everything under the hood to make it pretty, which worked, but after 1000 miles, it tended to collect every piece of grit available.

Tim Glover