Cleaning under the hood

[PamAndJim]

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for washing/cleaning under the hood. It's been a while since I've had a car that I cared enough about to keep the engine compartment clean. Back in the day I used to just drive up to the car wash, wrap a bag around my intake, and spray away. Any advice (especially anything specific to the EcoBoost - i.e. make sure to cover this or don't spray that) on the proper way to do it would be much appreciated.

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[SVTFreak]

I usually spray it down with something like simple green and hose it down. Use light spray. No hard streams. Then I spray it with wheel and tire cleaner. That leaves all the rubber and plastic shiney and pretty. Done.

If you skip the tire spray, after the degreaser, spray bare aluminum parts with a little wd40 to prevent aluminum corrosion.

 

[doulos4jc]

I use a garden hose, a little soap, a little water, a little elbow grease. I try to avoid directly spraying air intake and obvious electronics.

 

[PamAndJim]

Thanks all. It's good to know that I wasn't far off even back when I didn't know any better. I forgot the step where I would soak everything in tire wet (I used to bathe in the stuff - and Quick Detailet back then )

 

[PRG3k]

Take some plastic shopping bags and cover any exposed electronics, modules, bypass valve, MAP sensor etc. You can tighten the bags around them so as to maximize the area you want to spray.

Then Simple green everything and rinse it w a gentle stream of water. I like to hand dry any pooled up areas.

Also try not to hose it down when the engine is too hot. Normal operating temps should be ok but a big temperature difference could potentially crack the block.


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[drabon74]

I use Meguiars detail degreaser diluted 6/1 for new cars(3/1 for old or dirty engines), spray liberally and rinse with a regular water hose after 5 min(cold engine). I let the engine dry then i spray the engine with 303 aerospace protectant & wipe over any streaking product. the 303 really gives the plastic and rubber a satin luster, not greasy and overly shiney like a lot of products do. It also resists dust so the engine area stays cleaner longer. the meguiars detail degreaser is great because it does not leave a white film yet is very good at getting everything clean without having to agitate the area with a brush or towel.

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