I always see these immaculate engines and I want to know what people are cleaning them with. I was told that you don't want to just spray a hose under your hood because it could damage your car. I don't know if this is true or not and obviously don’t know much about cars or I wouldn’t be asking this, so be easy on me. I just want a safe way to clean under the hood.

 

this is what i do

cold engine
spray with garden hose with gentle water
spray and soak with P21S Total Auto Wash
agitate with a swisswax wheel brush
let it dwell for about 5 mintues
rinse with gentle water from garden hose
blow dry with a mini leaf blower (compressed air or shop vac)
blot with micro fiber to get the big puddles
start engine, let it idle for a couple of minutes with the hood shut to dry the little amount of water that is left over
spray with 303 aerospace protect and wipe of excess with microfiber

if you do not have those products .. use simple green 5:1 ratio for light stuff and full strength for stubborn areas, unused paint brush to agitate and over the counter lexol vinyl,rubber and plastic protect will work

 

My engine never gets dirty enough to use cleaner and definately not water because of the sensors. I use detail spray, a few rags along with several tools to get into the hard to reach areas. Then I polish what areas I can reach including the underside of the hood. This is why Slick is a multi-trophy winner....
Gary

 

I'm sure she'll do your engine next...

 

I cover the wiring section that's blocked (where the brake fluid reservoir is located) off in the back, and the air-intake and use the car wash. I use low pressure soap and rinse it off, only so as not to force water into the wire connectors or alternator. Have been doing this method on all my cars (4 over the last 8 years) for years w/o a problem. My dad has been doing this for >50 years on all of his cars w/o an issue. The engine bay comes out looking extremely clean (as it it just came from the dealer)... and if you want to realy make it sparkle, use Engine Brite.

I clean the engine 2X per year max... it just gets dusty, that's all.

The key is low pressure only!

Good luck

 

Saw your G at the HB meet .. SUPER F-IN clean .. you def do take extra care of your G .. keep it up

 

I either use a damp rag to wipe, or detail spray.

Garden hose under the hood is just asking for trouble. When i was 16 I did that and fried an alternator

I cringe when i go by the car wash and someone has the power washer full steam into the engine bay of their brand new car.

 

my friend cracked his block using a garden hose on his engine, the genius didnt let it cool down. good thing it was on a toyota starlet.