Ok, I have seen this post onhere before but could not find it. When I had read it, I just got more confused. Ok, some of you say not to spray some say it is ok. I have an '04, I also live where there are a lot of dirt roads which means a lot of mud and dust. So I have a good layer of sand on everything not including the other fluids that get spilt when being put in the car. What is the best way to go about cleaning under the hood? Thx.

 

you can spray. i wouldn't but you can. if you do make sure that you change your oil immediatly after.

what i do ... this takes forever...is grab a towel and some windex and go to it.

 

i just did this last weekend. its ok but i left my stang running while doing it.

i sprayed it all down ( the engine and firewall) then took her down to the carwash and sprayed it all out.

looks like brand spankin new now. and i havent had any problems.
but i left it run during the process because i heard that it might fowl out the plugs and stuff and it might not start..but anyways i kept it running..and avoided as many of them spots as possible.

good luck

 

Ok, thanks. I was getting awfully confused.

 

Ummm last time I checked the engine is sealed and water will not get into by spraying it, I would not use a pressure spray. Modern engines use a plug called a "weather pack" on almost all electrical connections, these are water tight. Here is what I do. Get a spray bottle full of Simple Green and spray it onto the fire wall and inner fenders, if the engine has grease on it I spray some on that as well, let it sit for 30 seconds and rinse it off with my hose(regular garden hose). Keep your water away from the coils/distributor and any other major electrical, they can get wet but don't hit them with a direct stream. For more stubborn stains you may need to get in there and scrub.

 

Ok, will do. Do I need to leave it running if I am just going to spray and scrub or if I am just using a spray on a scrubby and doing it that way? Wouldn't it get way to hot to mess with that way??

 

Shut it off...Hot engine + Cold water = Cracked blocks.

 

Now that I think about that. I can't imagine that actually happening. But thats what I was told when I was a kid.

 

I would do it cold just to be safe, you might not crack the block but the exhaust manifolds might crack or warp.

 

I may very well be an idiot, but here is what I do:
Step 1: Pull car out of garage and park in drive way.
Step 2: Pop hood of above mentioned car.
Step 3: Cover air filter with a thick cotton towel.
Step 4: Pull hose from side of house to the car.
Step 5: (This is the big one) Spray engine untill it is clean
Step 6: Stop spraying engine.
Step 7: Close hood.
Step 8: Wash and dry car
Step 9: (Optional, if I am feeling saucy!) Wax car.
Step 10: Pop hood again and dry engine wtih rag taking great care to shine the bling bling.
Step 11: Remove towel covering air filter.
Step 12: Drive car and return to garage.