Engine bay cleaning...some Q's
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 200
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From: slc, ut
Rep Power: 0 
sorry. . . . but if you are going to pressure wash/spray under the hood, you should ALWAYS leave the engine RUNNING, and keep it running for a few minutes after. If you are going to short out anything in your car by putting water on anything under the hood, you better look for a new car. Engines get wet every time you drive in the rain or snow. If you don't believe me, pop the hood next time and see for yourself. njerry is correct, and yes after market parts require special care.
Originally Posted by technick03
sorry. . . . but if you are going to pressure wash/spray under the hood, you should ALWAYS leave the engine RUNNING, and keep it running for a few minutes after. If you are going to short out anything in your car by putting water on anything under the hood, you better look for a new car. Engines get wet every time you drive in the rain or snow. If you don't believe me, pop the hood next time and see for yourself. njerry is correct, and yes after market parts require special care.
Cars a designed to keep rain away from the electronic parts!
Do what you want, i give up!
Ever Wonder What P.O.S.B.A.S. Is An Acronym For
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Rep Power: 260 god knows i need to clean my engine bay and i have come to the conclusion that the BEST way to do this would be as follows (car turned off):
1) pop hood and use leaf blower to remove any loose standing dirt or debris
2) spray on cd2 or engine cleaner of your choice
3) cover intake, dist. cap, battery and any electircal mods that are not stock!
4) use garden hose to spray down where degreaser was applied
5) when done spraying down, use leaf blower to remove standing water and a quick air dry.
6) go back with shop towels and hand clean everything that was covered before the intial spraying while drying any visible standing water.
7) after car is relatively dry around electrical areas (fuse box, dist. cap, battery, etc...) start the bad boy up and drive it around for a bit to make some heat in there, that way any water around seals & crevices will evaporate
8) Take a picture
any objections, questions, comments or concerns?
hope this helps someone!
1) pop hood and use leaf blower to remove any loose standing dirt or debris
2) spray on cd2 or engine cleaner of your choice
3) cover intake, dist. cap, battery and any electircal mods that are not stock!
4) use garden hose to spray down where degreaser was applied
5) when done spraying down, use leaf blower to remove standing water and a quick air dry.
6) go back with shop towels and hand clean everything that was covered before the intial spraying while drying any visible standing water.
7) after car is relatively dry around electrical areas (fuse box, dist. cap, battery, etc...) start the bad boy up and drive it around for a bit to make some heat in there, that way any water around seals & crevices will evaporate
8) Take a picture
any objections, questions, comments or concerns?
hope this helps someone!
Last edited by P.O.S.B.A.S.04; Feb 7, 2006 at 05:06 PM.
Originally Posted by P.O.S.B.A.S.04
god knows i need to clean my engine bay and i have come to the conclusion that the BEST way to do this would be as follows (car turned off):
1) pop hood and use leaf blower to remove any loose standing dirt or debris
2) spray on cd2 or engine cleaner of your choice
3) cover intake, dist. cap, battery and any electircal mods that are not stock!
4) use garden hose to spray down where degreaser was applied
5) when done spraying down, use leaf blower to remove standing water and a quick air dry.
6) go back with shop towels and hand clean everything that was covered before the intial spraying.
7) after car is relatively dry around electrical areas (fuse box, dist. cap, battery, etc...) start the bad boy up and drive it around for a bit to make some heat in there, that way any water around seals & crevices will evaporate
8) Take a picture
any objections, questions, comments or concerns?
hope this helps someone!
1) pop hood and use leaf blower to remove any loose standing dirt or debris
2) spray on cd2 or engine cleaner of your choice
3) cover intake, dist. cap, battery and any electircal mods that are not stock!
4) use garden hose to spray down where degreaser was applied
5) when done spraying down, use leaf blower to remove standing water and a quick air dry.
6) go back with shop towels and hand clean everything that was covered before the intial spraying.
7) after car is relatively dry around electrical areas (fuse box, dist. cap, battery, etc...) start the bad boy up and drive it around for a bit to make some heat in there, that way any water around seals & crevices will evaporate
8) Take a picture
any objections, questions, comments or concerns?
hope this helps someone!
Totally dry with leafblower and polish with towles!
Remember to be carefull of stuff getting on the paint (fenders,ect).
(If you spray some tire shine on the engine after your done and dry it will make the next time a simple hose off operation!)
Ever Wonder What P.O.S.B.A.S. Is An Acronym For
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Rep Power: 260 good call on the cleaner used...if there is grease and oil: use cd2, etc.... and simple green (and like products) for just a general clean for dirt!!
with our minds collaborating...we can do it and do it well!!
with our minds collaborating...we can do it and do it well!!
Slowest 7thgen in the GTA
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 1
From: Maple (GTA), ON
Rep Power: 286 Yes you should wash your engine bay with the engine off.
I've learned from real life experience. Not just facts or opinions. This is a real story. I'll tell you exactly what happened.
My friend's dad decided one day he should was his engine bay. So my friends dad starts the engine and my friend says to his dad "what are you doing".
dad: "what do you mean"
friend: "why are you running the engine"
dad: "cause you should or you'll mess up something in the engine bay"
friend: "your going to short out something if you keep the engine running"
dad: "no it won't happen:
friend: "ok, we'll see"
The next day, my friend's dad had to buy some sort of electrical component for his jeep. I don't exactly remember what part it was, but it cost $200 to replace it. It wasn't the altenator or anything like that.
Anyways, if my friend's dad wasn't so ignorant, he would have saved $200. I mean $200 is not bad, but you could have spent $200 on better things.
I've learned from real life experience. Not just facts or opinions. This is a real story. I'll tell you exactly what happened.
My friend's dad decided one day he should was his engine bay. So my friends dad starts the engine and my friend says to his dad "what are you doing".
dad: "what do you mean"
friend: "why are you running the engine"
dad: "cause you should or you'll mess up something in the engine bay"
friend: "your going to short out something if you keep the engine running"
dad: "no it won't happen:
friend: "ok, we'll see"
The next day, my friend's dad had to buy some sort of electrical component for his jeep. I don't exactly remember what part it was, but it cost $200 to replace it. It wasn't the altenator or anything like that.
Anyways, if my friend's dad wasn't so ignorant, he would have saved $200. I mean $200 is not bad, but you could have spent $200 on better things.
Registered!!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: jersey
Rep Power: 0 
didnt want to post of pic of my car being that its stock and all 
but here goes 
i do it monthly...
1)dont do it with a hot engine...you can crack the block
2)dont need a pressure washer...actually dont use one
3)use different brushes...
4)use a citrus based degreaser as previously stated
5)cover the intake with plasic film or a plastic bag and a rubber band, use aluminum foil on the alternator
6)when your done. do not start the engine..blow the water away wit compresses air, the blower side of your vacuum if your lucky enought to have one, a leaf blower, or if not use a rag & wring and repeat untily dry
7)spray dressing on a foam applicator, then apply to rubber hoses and such
8)if your scared bout messing up your car then you can use a two bucket method..fill one bucket with soap and water, another with just water. get different sponges and rags..use the soapy solution ,wipe down, dump in clean water, wring out repeat..it takes longer, but no water spray to worry bout..i do this in the winter when its to cold to do it outside
the end
but here goes i do it monthly...
1)dont do it with a hot engine...you can crack the block
2)dont need a pressure washer...actually dont use one
3)use different brushes...
4)use a citrus based degreaser as previously stated
5)cover the intake with plasic film or a plastic bag and a rubber band, use aluminum foil on the alternator
6)when your done. do not start the engine..blow the water away wit compresses air, the blower side of your vacuum if your lucky enought to have one, a leaf blower, or if not use a rag & wring and repeat untily dry
7)spray dressing on a foam applicator, then apply to rubber hoses and such
8)if your scared bout messing up your car then you can use a two bucket method..fill one bucket with soap and water, another with just water. get different sponges and rags..use the soapy solution ,wipe down, dump in clean water, wring out repeat..it takes longer, but no water spray to worry bout..i do this in the winter when its to cold to do it outside
the end
Originally Posted by jerseydetailer
didnt want to post of pic of my car being that its stock and all but here goes
i do it monthly...
1)dont do it with a hot engine...you can crack the block
2)dont need a pressure washer...actually dont use one
3)use different brushes...
4)use a citrus based degreaser as previously stated
5)cover the intake with plasic film or a plastic bag and a rubber band, use aluminum foil on the alternator
6)when your done. do not start the engine..blow the water away wit compresses air, the blower side of your vacuum if your lucky enought to have one, a leaf blower, or if not use a rag & wring and repeat untily dry
7)spray dressing on a foam applicator, then apply to rubber hoses and such
8)if your scared bout messing up your car then you can use a two bucket method..fill one bucket with soap and water, another with just water. get different sponges and rags..use the soapy solution ,wipe down, dump in clean water, wring out repeat..it takes longer, but no water spray to worry bout..i do this in the winter when its to cold to do it outside
the end
but here goes i do it monthly...
1)dont do it with a hot engine...you can crack the block
2)dont need a pressure washer...actually dont use one
3)use different brushes...
4)use a citrus based degreaser as previously stated
5)cover the intake with plasic film or a plastic bag and a rubber band, use aluminum foil on the alternator
6)when your done. do not start the engine..blow the water away wit compresses air, the blower side of your vacuum if your lucky enought to have one, a leaf blower, or if not use a rag & wring and repeat untily dry
7)spray dressing on a foam applicator, then apply to rubber hoses and such
8)if your scared bout messing up your car then you can use a two bucket method..fill one bucket with soap and water, another with just water. get different sponges and rags..use the soapy solution ,wipe down, dump in clean water, wring out repeat..it takes longer, but no water spray to worry bout..i do this in the winter when its to cold to do it outside
the end
.................................................. .............................. 
Ever Wonder What P.O.S.B.A.S. Is An Acronym For
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Rep Power: 260 that is hole is there because it is a non-vtec engine. i am pretty sure that it would be a DX or an HX that is like that. that is just where the first O2 sensor goes b/c the cat is built-in up high on the exhaust manifold.
Registered!!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 293
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From: jersey
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by P.O.S.B.A.S.04
that is hole is there because it is a non-vtec engine. i am pretty sure that it would be a DX or an HX that is like that. that is just where the first O2 sensor goes b/c the cat is built-in up high on the exhaust manifold.
its an 03 lx
Registered!!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
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Rep Power: 0 
Originally Posted by negativecamber
where can i get mothers back to black stuff
To add to the write-up by jerseydetailer, I do mine the same way except I spray down everything in sight with no-touch tire care and walk away. I don't bother hand wiping the plastic and rubber.
The end result is the same, though. Looks good.
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