I just finished washing my car and I always open up doors, trunk and hood to wipe everything. I noticed when I opened the hood it was very dusty and dirty. I know the next couple of months are going to be really bad for pollen..would it hurt to spray engine area with the hose?


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I just cleaned my engine bay today actually.

I take the hose and soak under there, avoiding the wires and electrical whatnot. I also stay away from the battery. I use simple green also, it really helps to get the grease and grime off there, and its relatively cheap. You could always use engine degreaser I suppose, but I've never used it.

I've read mixed reviews on this, so you might want to see what other people say. I took the advice of some people who I trust on this kinda stuff and I've never had problems. I just stay away from any electrical components because I'm paranoid.

 

I'll have to try the Simple Green next time..I always buy the gallon size of it because it works good on cutting grease. I'll have my husband do it for me. He is the gear head in the house and will be careful. I had a 92 Thunderbird one time and hosed the crap out of the engine area and then I couldn't get it started..we had to wait until everything dried out..LOL

Thanks for the advice...

 

My engine is POWER WASHED once a week on my 95 302! The only areas in water can effect you are on the distributer cap, coil, or if you have bad wires. This is assuming everything else is stock. Electronic underhood components are made to be water tight. Most aftermarket parts arnt made to the same hight standards however. A perfect example is my blaster coil. If it gets wet, it wont work, same with my AL6 box. Once it dries, its fine. My MSD dist. cap also alows water inside, again, once it dries, its fine. Not to worry about getting things wet, remember, this car was designed to be driven in the rain through big puddles for 15 years as a daily driver. A little water boiler is certinly not going to hurt it.

Do try and let it cool a bit before putting cold water on the headers though, as thats kind of tough on them. With proper cleaning, your engine will always look new.

 

I did it the other day, I find if you pick up a pump sprayer from loews for 9.99 it greatetly reduces the water used. The sprayer is a white tank with a black pump handle ontop and a black wand (the kindaof sprayer you would use to apply fertilizer or perticide) I rinsed my whole engine bay after cleaning with just over 1 gallon of water. My wiring is suspect so I took the safer route.

 

I have had great results with a degreaser, drying, then using an engine detailer spray. Like CD2 engine detail spray (hard to find lately in my area). I have just bought Sonus motor and trim kote for the next time I detail the engine. It actually puts a hard wax finish on the engine. I intend to use it on wheel wells also. It is dust and heat resistent. I'll post results when I do the job. Later.
S W

 

I have had great results with a degreaser, drying, then using an engine detailer spray. Like CD2 engine detail spray (hard to find lately in my area). I have just bought Sonus motor and trim kote for the next time I detail the engine. It actually puts a hard wax finish on the engine. I intend to use it on wheel wells also. It is dust and heat resistent. I'll post results when I do the job. Later.
S W

also check out autogeek.net and autopia.org for how-to articles.

 

xRock,

What about where the plugs are? It ok to hit there with water as well?

Thanks

 

I haven't had to clean the engine in my 04, but I used to pressure wash the engine comparment of all my other vehicles (98 ranger, 94 mustang GT, 04 F-150). All I did was put a plastic bag over the coils in the trucks and distributor cap in the 94 GT. Never had any problems.