Washing The Engine Bay - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

GIJEEP · #1 11-09-2002

Hey guys,

I want to give my engine bay and engine a nice cleaning. How dow you Mud Gods go about it after a drive through the dirt.

Im not a fan of just getting the Gerny out and spraying the hell out of it. What components do you guys cover up? If you cover any that is?

I have had bad experiences with alternators not working after an engine clean. [img]graemlins/soapbox.gif[/img]

JP Mark · #2 12-09-2002

I usually cover up any electical connectors and the throttle position sensor with alfoil before hosing it out (sometimes the gurney) but you still need to be careful were you spray. Advice I was given that seems to have worked so far is to allow enough time for the engine bay to dry out before starting the car to avoid any shorts (find somewhere you can leave the bonnet up for an hour or 2). A bit of truck wash makes the job easier so you dont have to use as much high pressure water.
The most important thing is not to get too worried about it if you cant get all the dirt out, wont hurt it and you cant see it anyway.

mattc · #3 12-09-2002

Quote:

The most important thing is not to get too worried about it if you cant get all the dirt out, wont hurt it and you cant see it anyway.

.... unless a show and shine judge is looking [img]smile.gif[/img]

I just put a plastic shopping bag over the air intake trumpet and hit everything with a high pressure hose.

Wooders · #4 12-09-2002

First the outside, then the interior NOW you're supposed to clean under the bonnet??...

Giving it a good coating of wd40 BEFORE hitting the mud will greatly help the cleanup.

billsta · #5 15-09-2002

some dude told me cover every electric bits before watering the engine, some said dont worry about it. so i tend to cover some electric bit, (the puter only) then hose it... still havent hit any no go zone yet, so its all cool..

think the general vibe is, let the engine cool down a bit first, and wash, then wait... its a 3 hour job :D

TheDoc · #6 15-09-2002

Isnt that what snorkels and deep creek crossings are for? :cool:

Jeeps · #7 15-09-2002

1) Let the engine cool down.

2) Low pressure water soak

3) Soak her with degreaser for 5 mins

4) Let the hose (light pressure again) get rid of the gunk.

5) Use a toothbrush on the really hard to get at bits with more degreaser and rinse.

6) Or pay a car detailer to do it for you ;) :D