Engine Bay Cleaning
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
I use simple green, I spray it all over the engine then use a water hose to spray it off. Be careful with the alt. and connections. Does a great job. After finish, crank to dry.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
I'm too scraed to spray water all over these engines so I use a combination of break-kleen, foaming glass cleaner and a lot of rags. The break-kleen works on the oil, and the glass cleaner works well on dirt and coolant.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
Simple green works GREAT. Use the regular stuff, the autmotive stuff SUCKS. Not sure why but the original is best. I buy it by the gallon!
Cold engine, spray on, wait a couple of minutes, gently rinse. Don't use high pressure. Then I use an air compressor to blow most of the water off the engine as much as I can and I spray around the connectors to get most of the water off of them as well. Then start engine to dry it. I've used this on my BMW, focus, mustang, F250 and Miata without any problems. When your done, back up and look at all the dirt that came off your engine, amazing!
Kevin, 05 250 SD, XLT Sport V10, 4x2, 4.10, CC, Torqueshift towing the #63 CMC Mustang
Cold engine, spray on, wait a couple of minutes, gently rinse. Don't use high pressure. Then I use an air compressor to blow most of the water off the engine as much as I can and I spray around the connectors to get most of the water off of them as well. Then start engine to dry it. I've used this on my BMW, focus, mustang, F250 and Miata without any problems. When your done, back up and look at all the dirt that came off your engine, amazing!
Kevin, 05 250 SD, XLT Sport V10, 4x2, 4.10, CC, Torqueshift towing the #63 CMC Mustang
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I've always wondered what the used car dealers use... It must be simple (no manual labor) and it comes out looking nice... plastic, rubber all look even and shiney. Anybody know?
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Here's the show car trick, Spray both windex (or generic glass cleaner) and Armoral (or better vinyl dressing) all over the hoses and engine. Then let the motor run for 15 minutes. It comes out great.
I go a little further with new dollar store toilet and tooth brushes. I use WD40 as my fluid to move the dirt. This approach keeps water way from the engine, but you still get it very clean.
I go a little further with new dollar store toilet and tooth brushes. I use WD40 as my fluid to move the dirt. This approach keeps water way from the engine, but you still get it very clean.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
From: Barbourville Ky
I just put a garbage bag over my alternator,use simple green as mentioned and hose it down.I'll start it up and let it run until dry.after it has cooled down I spary everthing with armor all.makes it look almost new under hood.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
A local detailer did my previous 5.4L and blew a coil pack. I had to have the Ford garage prove to the detailer that it was his fault by using excessive water/steam during the process...but could have been a fault in the coil casing as well. Long story short after a nearly $500 repair that I had to saddle...I use a different detailer and tell him to skip the engine.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
ive been doing this for years and the truck has over 100,000 miles and i do it a few times a year.and no problems with the truck.
I buy the cheap degreaser from wal-mart its 1.17 a can i like it cuz it doesnt have a fuel smell to it like GUNK.i spray everything under the hood when its HOt and let it sit for a while till its cooled down then Hose it off and my motor is CLEAN.everyone who sees it always say how many miles on your truck WOW thats clean.
i usually use 2-3 cans
I buy the cheap degreaser from wal-mart its 1.17 a can i like it cuz it doesnt have a fuel smell to it like GUNK.i spray everything under the hood when its HOt and let it sit for a while till its cooled down then Hose it off and my motor is CLEAN.everyone who sees it always say how many miles on your truck WOW thats clean.
i usually use 2-3 cans
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