Cleaning the engine bay dangers

**Transamws6** · 12-26-2009, 01:14 PM

Hey guys I have a question for you, the engine bay of my truck is getting extremely dirty and needs to be cleaned. I've never cleaned the engine bay of a vehicle before and am planning to do it in the near future. But, I fear that water will get into a part of the engine where it does not need to be.

My question to you is, is there any specific places or parts that I need to watch out for when cleaning the engine bay (5.3)?

Thanks guys

**sunsetorangess** · 12-26-2009, 03:11 PM

Get some good degreaser and use a normal garden hose, no need for high pressure.
The main things to avoid are the Altenator, & the fuse block.
I pressure wash engine bay's almost everyday and have never had an issue. Just precautions...
J

**Transamws6** · 12-26-2009, 04:57 PM

Oh ok, will do, thanks.

**pajeff02** · 12-26-2009, 05:05 PM

I wash our engine bays 2-3 times a year -- never had a problem. With the engine cold, soak it down with Simple Green, or something similar. Any really dirty areas can be scrubbed a bit. As SSOSS said, keep the water pressure low and avoid the electronics as much as you can.

After it's all rinsed, I towel dry everything I can get to and then use low pressure air to blow the water out of all the nooks and crannies. Last thing I do is start it up and let the engine heat evaporate any remaining moisture. This tends to be a controversial topic -- the "wash/don't wash" and "Simple Green/Simple Green eats aluminum" advocates run about 50-50 on here.

**Transamws6** · 12-26-2009, 06:14 PM

Yea, my engine bay is a complete mess, never been washed before.

But ok, i'll try the simple green that may work out better than some of the other methods, I could just spray a bit of it on a piece of wash cloth or whatever and wipe down the motor by hand so i can make sure that i dont get any water or anything on the alternator or other parts where it doesn't need to be.

Thanks for all the help SSOSS and Pajeff!

**joejenkinsglass** · 12-26-2009, 06:57 PM

In that truck you can pretty much spray everything. Just be careful not to blow the labels off!!

**Z06-Goose** · 12-26-2009, 07:39 PM

Having an air gun is very helpful.
Most of your questions have been answered, I will add that using some aluminum foil to cover alternator and electronic items will be the best way to protect those parts.
Allow plenty time to dry just to be on the safe side...

**vette0009** · 12-26-2009, 07:58 PM

I found simple green mediocre

Give this a shot http://www.autogeek.net/3m-foaming-e...degreaser.html

Gunk engine Brite is readily available at autozone and it works Okay

Buy some 79 cent a roll electrical tape from Walmart to tape off your electrical connectors or anywhere water can get in

Mineral water or calcified water can caause grounding or shorting issues so to be on the safe side do not allow water into your electrical connectors

I had a photo of mineral deposits forming in and around electrical devices and connectors but I can't find it now

Goodlluck

Bon