My 2001 B4000 has gotten dusty under the hood and I want some advice before I go in with chemicals and/or water cleaning it up. I try to wipe off the parts I can reach with a wet towel every so often to keep it somewhat shiny and clean. Any suggestions on the easiest way to clean the engine compartment so it looks new(er)? Obviously I need to keep water away from the battery terminals and air filter, are there any other components I should be cautious around? I'm sure I will get helpful suggestions as always. Thanks.

 

As long as you stay away from electrical connectors, alternator and such, I pressure wash mine. Just don't get an inch away from electrical things and stay there. It's never been a problem for me. I've been washing engines regularly on all my vehicles for 16 years without a problem. If its real dirty use engine degreaser. If it's just dusty, a little simple green, or the presoak at the car wash is all you'll need and hose it off. After it dries I usually spray mine down with silicone spray. It shines things up, looks good, and silicone is keeps all the rubber hoses and plastic soft and pliable.
Hope it helps
Chris

 

Get some GUNK engine cleaner... 3 or 4 bucks at any parts store.

Run engine until normal operating temperature. Shut off engine. (Stuff works better when hot)

Spray liberally all over engine compartment, being careful not to spray directly on electrical parts and belts.

Let sit about 10 minutes or so.

Spray water all over engine compartment (garden hose attachments work fine) being careful not to spray electrical components directly.

Keep in mind, these components are designed to be somewhat water resistant, but not water proof. Typically if you don't hit them directly with the water, the mist and run off won't hurt them. I can't guarantee for 100% that nothing will get damaged, but I clean engine at least once or twice a day with this method and have yet to have a problem.

Good luck

 

I just used Super Clean on mine, spray on rinse off. It's in a purple spray bottle at auto zone for about 5 bucks.

 

Check by the waxes and polish in your parts store. A lot of the same people that make vinyl and leather cleaners and such have caught on to the clean motor people. They make all kinds of stuff but they're right on here, a lot of it is engine degreaser. Your airfilter shoud be enclosed??? Just dont spray into the intake tube or into the airbox.

 

A lot of good ideas listed... I really like the silicone spray for renewing those rubber/vinyl items myself. But I'd jus' use caution around the Serp. belt and pulley areas. I've recently gotten into using the "chlorine-free" degreasers... they claim to be less severe for the more sensitive areas. Or so I understand..

 

newblue: Filter used to be inclosed...until i put my new intake in a couple weeks ago. Now I have a cone filter that is exposed.

Thanks everyone for the advice! Now I have a project for my day off on Friday.

 

Ya sorry bout that I read a little too fast. I saw it a little while later a felt pretty dumb.

 

I just use Simple Green carefully. On the OHV 4.0L, water can collect and pool in the intake valley, so you need a way to get it out. I just shove a rag in there, let it soak up for a couple of seconds, and remove.

Keep the water out of the battery, air filter, alternator, electrical connections, and away from the bearings on the accessories.

 

I've had good luck with just using a pressure washer and water - no soap. Keep away from the PCM on the firewall and the main engine harness connections.

I wouldn't do it with the engine warm. Try it and you're tempting fate for warped/cracked engine parts.

 

would you guys suggest letting the engine dry for little while before starting after washing?

 

Yes...let it dry pretty good before cranking it up. The seals, gaskets, etc. will prevent water from gettin' in, but you don't want the engine heating up with water on it. Cracks, warps, boiling water, etc.

 

I use my garden sprayer filled with airconditioner condensate (distilled water & it's sorta free) & car wash, usually "Blue Coral".

The distilled water prevents spotting & the car wash is easy on paint, plastic, rubber & makes enough suds & the sprayer is strong enough to float off all but the greasiest dirt, without violating the electricals or it's over spray taking wax off the fenders or such.

For stubborn greasy areas, or a really dirty engine, I pretreat with a "all purpose" wheel cleaner, like "Westleys" & an old paint brush to emulsify the greasey/dirty area, then before it dries, hit it with the sprayer, when I wash the engine.

Afterward, if you don't have shop air, I've sorta rigged such, by use a bicycle pump, fitted with a sports needle, (the kind you use to inflate foot ***** & basket *****) with it's two hole end ground off, so it's opened straight up like a big needle, to blow the spark plug wells & manafold valley area dry.

I've heard of, but not yet tried it, using a spray on foam tire dressing, to pretty things up underhood, without having to "wipe" things as you would have to with dressings like "ArmorAll, or such.

You'd want to watch out for the drive belts, pulleys & alternator, with any spray on dressing though.