How to clean engine area?

[Chewy5]

Over the years my engine area under the hood has gotten dirty.

How can i clean it and get it back to looking new?

Can I use soap and water with a microfiber cloth to wipe everything down manually? Then spray everything down with water from a hose?

On youtube I see some engines look absolutely spotless and clean like brand new. How do they keep their engines like that?

Alternatively, are there any paid services that will clean the engine area? I was under the impression that there are services to clean the outside and interior of the car (i.e. passenger areas), will they clean the engine area under the hood?

Thanks

[tcphoto]

I would use a cleaner like Simple Green, a nylon brush and towels followed with a dressing safe for hoses. Once you have it clean it can be maintained rather easily.

[silvermanor]

Foam and rinse. The trick is to not neglect it and let it get so dirty. I only rinse off under the hood at the car wash with the light spotless rinse setting and its always enough to clean the engine bay.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Chewy5

Over the years my engine area under the hood has gotten dirty.
How can i clean it and get it back to looking new?

Try this:

And this:

Originally Posted by Chewy5

Can I use soap and water with a microfiber cloth to wipe everything down manually? Then spray everything down with water from a hose?

Yes, but if the bay is already pretty dirty and greasy, you will need more than just soap and water.
Consider stocking up on degreasers, iron removers, and (alkaline) cleaners.

Originally Posted by Chewy5

On youtube I see some engines look absolutely spotless and clean like brand new. How do they keep their engines like that?

Social media fluff to make you jealous...

Originally Posted by Chewy5

Alternatively, are there any paid services that will clean the engine area? I was under the impression that there are services to clean the outside and interior of the car (i.e. passenger areas), will they clean the engine area under the hood?

Sure - most detailers will offer engine bay cleaning. Call around for pricing.
I have no idea what a reasonable price would be, since I never considered paying for that service. Not that my engine bay is spotless, but since I am the only person that normally seas it, I am OK keeping it "clean enough for me".

If you want to impress bro's (no woman will ever care), you may need to go further.

HTH,
a

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Yes most modern cars should be OK with being rinsed in engine bay. I still like to cover some exposed stuff that may look sensitive to water for example when I have my dual cone intakes, some exposed relay connectors or my alternator to if it's open to the stream of water. I also started disconnecting my battery just because it gives me better peace of mind although I'm sure it's still fine I've done it before.

You will want to use some kind of degreaser or all purpose cleaner and I also like to use a foam canon as well for the less grimy areas and go over with brushes and etc. And then rinse it off, dry and dress it up.

[Chewy5]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and tips!

Damn, your engine areas look brand new! Amazing. I don't understand how my engine got so dirty, I honestly don't open my hood all that much, but it still became so dirty.

I'm just concerned that if i blast my engine bay with degreasers, cleaning liquids, foams it would cause some damage to some electrical wiring somewhere? or cause some nuts or bolts to rust? and/or otherwise get liquid into crevices or areas that should not get wet? everything is so densely packed too, i don't think i can clean everywhere since there are many tight areas my hands/arms won't be able to get into or reach. One good thing is my car battery is actually located in the trunk, so I don't have to worry about getting the battery wet. I'm thinking to be safe I should disconnect the negative terminal before I blast my engine with liquids just in case.

But anyhow, seeing your spotless engines is inspiring! I will check out those youtube videos and see. Part of the reason I want to clean my engine is because i have to replace my ignition coils and spark plugs (will be my first time DIY). And my hands always get really dirty black whenever i touch anywhere inside my engine.

[Zig613]

“ And my hands always get really dirty black whenever i touch anywhere inside my engine.”

Perhaps invest in a box of disposable nitrile gloves. https://www.amazon.ca/Grease-Monkey-...e=1&th=1&psc=1

[Chewy5]

Thanks, I will get some of these gloves!

[Chewy5]

Hi guys,

I posted another thread that shows my engine bay area and how dirty it is!

https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=2193093

I'm trying to change my spark plugs, but stuck on getting access to the 6th ignition coil.

[F32Fleet]

Any suggestions on a product to wipe down an engine bay. I just have some grime and dried coolant.

[Thursy]

Last week, when I took my car to my mechanic for maintenance, he first sprayed everything with a general cleaning spray (a multi-purpose spray with grease-cutting properties) and then cleaned the engine with a water gun without removing the top cover.

[Maxx Power]

The trick is to use a foam that is non-conductive like tire foam.

- First cover the alternator and ecu with a plastic bag.
- then spray all the oily bits with with a degreaser or brake cleaner.
- follow up with a tire FOAM (not tire shine !) all over the engine and dirty areas.
- let it sit for about 10 minutes, then brush lightly with a soft brush.
- use a garden hose or low pressure gun to spray off dirt.

You may have to repeat on stubborn areas. I usually find one can of tire foam will clean the engine perfectly.

[MikeGreenwich]

My Dad uses motorcycle cleaning product on the engine, kinda always made sense to me.

[starlights]

Sharing for kicks - PLEASE do NOT do this

https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetaili...of_engine_bay/

[evee]

Personally i always do some 40 bar osmose pressure wash (avoid the fuse boxes/eletrical parts and then clean after with a plastic cleaner, doing everything without the pressure washer always costs way too much time ;-)

[Phillies8008]

I have yet to get one, but I've seen videos where steam cleaners do a great job. That way you don't have to douse your engine in water and hope you're avoiding all of the bits that may not like getting that wet.

[slilley]

By it's very nature, I'd be afraid that steam is going to reach into areas that a low-pressure water stream is not going to reach. So I wouldn't use that on a car I plan to keep long-term. I used to keep my engines squeakly-clean, but after watching my results for my longer-term vehicles (100K+ miles), I became convinced that I might have been doing more harm than good. That's my excuse why I'm not religious about keeping the engines clean, although I still will do an occasional damp-rag wipe over things.

[stbm5]

i foam it then use pressure washer with power turned off, then wipe down. dont over think this, its easy. you wont ruin the engine with a light soap and low pressure rinse.