What is the safest way to clean your engine bay?

matt4282

matt4282

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Oct 24, 2019
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katy texas
What’s the safest way to clean your engine bay? I have been told multiple different ways and they all contradict each other on what’s safe.
Thanks
 
This is my clean, I've watched the video but haven't put it in practice.

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I'd pay a detailer like $50 to steam clean it. I used to do that once a year when I was out in the mud more often. Not super necessary but a clean engine is a nice thing to have.
 
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In all my vehicles I have covered the alternator and air intake if needed then sprayed Simple Green on everything. Let it sit for a while then hose it down. So far it has not caused any issues. Just did the LJ last week.
 
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I’ve powered washed the engines in every vehicle I’ve owned over the the last 4 decades, covered nothing and let loose with the wand. Maybe I’ll change my routine after the first problem arises but I’m not holding my breath waiting.
 
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Viking Jeeper said:
In all my vehicles I have covered the alternator and air intake if needed then sprayed Simple Green on everything. Let it sit for a while then hose it down. So far it has not caused any issues. Just did the LJ last week.
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Hang on here. How do we know that you didn't kill Mike the silver TJ and assumed his Avatar?

Chris, we need to do a background check.
 
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Vinman said:
I’ve powered washed the engines in every vehicle I’ve owned over the the last 4 decades, covered nothing and let loose with the wand. Maybe I’ll change my routine after the first problem arises but I’m not holding my breath waiting.
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I agree, 40 years later and no problems, but not real clean either. I'll likely try the method in video in the second post.
 
Vinman said:
I’ve powered washed the engines in every vehicle I’ve owned over the the last 4 decades, covered nothing and let loose with the wand. Maybe I’ll change my routine after the first problem arises but I’m not holding my breath waiting.
Click to expand...
Viking Jeeper said:
In all my vehicles I have covered the alternator and air intake if needed then sprayed Simple Green on everything. Let it sit for a while then hose it down. So far it has not caused any issues. Just did the LJ last week.
Click to expand...

These, cover alternator, air box, battery, and any hanging exposed wires. Then spray down with simple green, let sit, and power wash away. Did this day after buying my TJ. Worked like a charm, easier than cleaning my BMWs engine bays.
 
I think ‘Chrisfix’ makes fantastic videos, actually. However, that form of cleaning is quite lengthy.

I too need to clean mine. Was going to do all the bristle and brushing suggested in that video, to loosen the debris. Then follow up with some light spritzing, staying clear of certain components.

Im all ears too, for suggestions from anyone who cleans their engine often.
EDIT: @e90f30TJ chimed in before I posted, and that sounds like a good process. 👍
 
Vinman said:
I’ve powered washed the engines in every vehicle I’ve owned over the the last 4 decades, covered nothing and let loose with the wand. Maybe I’ll change my routine after the first problem arises but I’m not holding my breath waiting.
Click to expand...


I don't quite have 4 decades doing this but I do have 3 solid decades. The only problem I ever had was a distributor cap on it's last leg. After that I always leave it running while doing this and if rough idling happens I stay away from that area and figure out why later. Surprisingly, or maybe not, I've had no issues that I remember since some time in the late 90s.
 
I’m thinking fill the soap bottle on my pressure washer with simple green and go to town. Then later on rinse it off.
 
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