sprostang

I just bought an 05 ranger 4x4 for my DD. The engine bay is pretty dirty. What do I need to do to get it cleaned up without doing any damage? I`m afraid to power wash it. What would be the best/easiest way to get it clean? How do the detail shops do it? Thanks in advance...
(Also posted in detailing section)

Colorado_Mustang

I've heard of people using steam cleaning.

You could also use pressure, but don't get the nozzle too close. The flow of water will remove most of the crud. I'm guessing it's dirt/mud and not grease/oil in that new of a vehicle.

sprostang

Really, its pretty much dusty. No grease/grime. If i do hit it lightly with a pressure washer, should I do it with the engine running or not?

bransdaman78

i would say running or not - However I would say not while the engine is hott - I dont think you need to cover anything - spray it all down with degreaser and then hose it off - then run it as soon as your done - even if it doesnt crank it will dry out in a few days -LOL but dont worry thats not going to happen - just do it and run it or leave it running

dubarado

If it's just dusty... hit it with an air compressor... that's what I do if it's just dust... it'll blow away mud crud too.. and then use appropriate detailing chems after to shine it up.

sprostang

I tried that. Didn`t work very well. [&:] Everything in there is so friggin close it`s gonna be a bitch to get it looking good. I wiped it down a bit but its gonna take lots of time and effort to do it like that. [:@] ( I wish I had a pic to show)

dubarado

that's pretty much what detailing is.... time and effort.... it takes my a half a day (half as in 6-8 hours that I'm awake) to detail my GT... I do it every month... but now that Im at school and don't have a place to do it... I hit up the touchless car wash... But I digress..... the pressure washer might just be it... unless you wnat to keep it dirty.

JonBeast

Spray it down with degreaser....let it sit, then use a powerwasher and spray it off avoiding any electic harnesses, intake, etc. It will come out looking purrrrrdy

GreyStang

Doesn't the degreaser have a warning about NOT getting the stuff on a painted surface? How do you keep the stuff (& all the other underhood crap) from splattering on the fenders etc while your powerwashing it off? Or is it OK so long as you powerwash the fenders etc off immediately?

undecided.steve

Get some old rags and wrap the major electrical connectors in them.
Any bulkhead connectors on the firewall are a good place to start.

Spray degreaser around being careful not to spray directly into things like alternators, electrical items etc.
Don't just spray the stuff all over, but concentrate on the dirty parts.
Also try and keep it off the belt as much as possible.

If your car is waxed up nice, degreaser won't harm the paint unless you let it sit too long.
If you overspray, just hit it with the hose ASAP.

Let it sit a while and then start hosing down.

Make sure not to spray full force around electrical connections etc.
These things are designed to handle a little water splashing around (ie:the rubber seals and dieelectric grease inside them)
but are not designed to have water sprayed full force at them.

Use the least amount of pressure that works.
A garden hose should be fine.

Let it air dry for a little bit then start the car.
It might run a little rough at first but will smooth out once things dry.

I've been doing this for years on all sorts of cars and the biggest problem is wires that are old (cracks) and getting water near the distributor (obviously not a problem here).

Happy cleaning!!