Clean Engine ,and Engine compartment???
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Clean Engine ,and Engine compartment???
cAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT IS THE BEST,AND EASIEST WAY TO KEEP THE ENGINE,AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT CLEAN IN MY NEW TRUCK....HOPEFULLY WITHOUT DAMAGING ANY SENSITIVE COMPONENTS .THANKS
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
As far as I know, there is no good way to do it! With all of the electronic stuff in the newer vehicles, it's not smart to hose it out, and all of the engine cleaners requre being hosed off. They state in the directions to cover everything electronic, but IMO, there's no good way to do it. You have electronic wires, COPS, Spark plug wires, the PCM, fusebox, etc. under the hood, and none of them like water too much. A new truck will NEVER stay new...no matter what you do to it. The best thing to do is just enjoy it!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Several People I know use Simple Green brushing it on with a stiff brush and let it set a bit. Then they carefully hose off. I usually just use a good wipe rag and wipe things down by hand unless there is a lot of grease then I use solvents/detergents and spray.
I recommend covering things with plastic baggies and not spraying with full pressure on anything that doesn't like water, like distributors, fuse boxes etc. Never use a pressure washer on an engine unless you really know what you are doing.
Then you might drive it around for half an hour or so on the freeway to blow out and heat out the water. Then get back under the hood with some "Engine Dressing" or some other stuff to shine things up a bit.
A lot of how your engine likes/hates water depends on the model. None of the engines I have had in 30 + years of tinkering has had a problem as long as I don't blast it with high pressure water. A gentle stream for just long enough to rinse is all you need. But then I hear there are some ignition systems that are really finicky and can't take anywater. So experience and a good eye for detail and common sense is what is needed.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I recommend covering things with plastic baggies and not spraying with full pressure on anything that doesn't like water, like distributors, fuse boxes etc. Never use a pressure washer on an engine unless you really know what you are doing.
Then you might drive it around for half an hour or so on the freeway to blow out and heat out the water. Then get back under the hood with some "Engine Dressing" or some other stuff to shine things up a bit.
A lot of how your engine likes/hates water depends on the model. None of the engines I have had in 30 + years of tinkering has had a problem as long as I don't blast it with high pressure water. A gentle stream for just long enough to rinse is all you need. But then I hear there are some ignition systems that are really finicky and can't take anywater. So experience and a good eye for detail and common sense is what is needed.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Heart of Dixie
In the AF, we used a cleaner called PD-680. Anything with letters and numbers for a name has got to be good and it was. It turned out to be just aromatic naptha. It cleans good and evaporates leaving no residue. I need to get a few jugs and a sprayer and test it on my car.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
Seriously though, today i just used some of that 'greased lightning' stuff. I just sprayed it on, let it set for a while as i cleaned some other areas, then went back to it with the pressure washer, from a distance of course. This is the third time i've done it with this truck and haven't had a problem.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
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A few years ago I had heard about a product that is sold at airplane parts stores that you just spray on and it evaporates leaving no residue. Probably PD 680 as already mentioned. Know where to get it? other than airplane shops?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,447
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From: Georgia
I personally don't like the idea of washing engines down on these newer vehicles. I do wonder how much water gets up in there when your driving in pouring rain and hitting puddles. Probably a good bit. Maybe a small stream from a water hose with no sprayer would not hurt. 
Last edited by 70blue; Jun 16, 2005 at 08:34 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
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From: N. Mississippi
A few rags and some spray cleaner to wipe off the plastic and other stuff is as far as I go. I learned my lesson about spraying an engine with water under pressure a long time ago....so I just hand clean mine.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
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From: Langhorne, PA
As long as the engine isn't covered in splattered oil and dirt, the engine bay usually looks good if you keep the inner fenders walls rinsed off and wash around the "edges" of the compartment. When I wash my truck, which is rarely, I like to pop open the hood, and wash with soap/water and a sponge or rag all the painted areas, plastic boxes, hoses, fan shroud. Rinse everything with a light stream of water.
Never pull into a do-it-yourself carwash and use those pressure-washer type spray wands under the hood! That is a great way to get water in the dizzy cap and become stranded.
Never pull into a do-it-yourself carwash and use those pressure-washer type spray wands under the hood! That is a great way to get water in the dizzy cap and become stranded.