Keeping Engine Bay Clean?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 97
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From: Houston/Kingsville
Keeping Engine Bay Clean?
I see all these pictures of peoples engines and am in aw at how they are so clean. Everything is clean from front to back, bottom to top. Im just curious as to how you guys keep the engine compartment so clean. Ive got so much junk caked up from only god knows where and every time i attempt to clean it, it never works. I just end up smearing stuff around to other places. Basicly i just want to know what works best and how you guys keep it so clean.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
Likes: 14
From: Payson, AZ
First you need to do the CCV Mod so if you ever get it clean it will stay that way. The CCV (Crank Case Ventilation) vents the crankcase gases into the intake and they condense into oil and get past the intake boots and then on the engine. The CCV Mod vents the gases to the atmoshere. Do a search for CCV Mod for some ideas. You can also buy a CCV Mod kit at Riffraff Diesel Performance. LINK
As far as cleaning I do what is not suggested. I power washed it a coupler of times. If you use this method you must be very careful not to get the nozzle close to any electrical or sensor connectors. Also cover the alternator (I just use a towel folded over a few times) and put a sandwich baggie over the fill cap for the power steering reservoir. Do not spray while engine is hot. Warm is ok. You can use a degreaser before hand if you want. I have never had to.
Another method is to use a product like Simple Green and clean by hand and rinse using a hose at low pressure. Simple Green in squirt bottle will work good to presoak. Use liberally on the real grimey areas.
As far as cleaning I do what is not suggested. I power washed it a coupler of times. If you use this method you must be very careful not to get the nozzle close to any electrical or sensor connectors. Also cover the alternator (I just use a towel folded over a few times) and put a sandwich baggie over the fill cap for the power steering reservoir. Do not spray while engine is hot. Warm is ok. You can use a degreaser before hand if you want. I have never had to.
Another method is to use a product like Simple Green and clean by hand and rinse using a hose at low pressure. Simple Green in squirt bottle will work good to presoak. Use liberally on the real grimey areas.
Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
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From: Marble Falls, Tx.
I usually just cover the ps pump fill neck like payson said and soak it with simple green and some low pressure wash from the water hose.
If its really drity it takes alot of work to get it clean but once you get it clean, just do it every 6 months or so and it stays clean.
If its really drity it takes alot of work to get it clean but once you get it clean, just do it every 6 months or so and it stays clean.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 10
From: Snohomish, WA
Simple Green or Oil Eater is what I use with low pressure water. It does not happen the first time through either. Once you get it cleaned, you can then just wipe it down. I have the original CCV system on mine and it stays pretty clean. I find that whipping it down in between washes helps out a bunch. I just use aerosol glass cleaner on a rag for wipe downs.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 150
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From: Vermillion, SD
Cover PS, soak with degreaser if it's pretty dirty, and power wash the crap out of it, been doing it for years and never had a problem. Just have to be a bit careful around air filter. I also blow it off with compressed air to get it fairly dry before starting it up.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 3
From: Louisiana
I got to see ricks trick but I ain't telling! Haha. If he wants he can tell you. But the real trick to a clean engine bay is to simply keep it up. Honestly I would not pay much attention to a clean engine but since I'm under the hood every day it seems, a clean engine saves me lots of time!
I use the carwas tire cleaner for a presoak then the high pressure rinse but I don't squeeze the trigger. Serena to work good and no ill effects. Yet!
I use the carwas tire cleaner for a presoak then the high pressure rinse but I don't squeeze the trigger. Serena to work good and no ill effects. Yet!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 3
From: Louisiana
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Houston/Kingsville
Thats pretty much what i figured everyone would say. Ill be getting some simple green today next time i go to the store. I just recently did the CCV Mod so it should stay clean after i give it a good wash down. Ive got tons of grime built up in the valley, any ideas where it woild be coming from?
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of American machinists
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: NORTH IDAHO
Thats pretty much what i figured everyone would say. Ill be getting some simple green today next time i go to the store. I just recently did the CCV Mod so it should stay clean after i give it a good wash down. Ive got tons of grime built up in the valley, any ideas where it woild be coming from?
I would geuss the grime is accumulated from oil blowing past the intercooler boots and also leaking EBPV rod.
On my truck my valley has always been dry however oil leaking from the EBPV rod seems to leak down on to the starter
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 362
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From: middlesex county, nj
Hey woodnthings.....do u ever actually drive it ?!!!!! My 99s only got 37,000 on it and its not even close to looking like that ! Absolutely beautiful....maybe being in NJ has dulled my engine room, but seriously....that's beautiful.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,047
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From: Snohomish, WA
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