How do you clean under the hood?? Can you just open it up and spray it down with a hose, or will that cause damage to something??

 

I have the same question. Covered the "electrical side" last time I sprayed with the hose than wiped down. Griots Garage has an engine cleaning solution to use. I worry about getting the electrical too wet. although I do start the car right after the engine wash. Be nice to know how to do this properly.

 

Yuo don't want to spray the engine block with cold water if the block is hot, that could cause the block to stress fracture and/or crack. I would recommend against directly spraying any electrical components with any chemical (spray a rag/towel, and wipe clean), but it shouldn't hurt anything if you get a moderate amount of water on it (after all, that stuff does get some water on it when it's wet).

I'd also recommend letting the engine bay thoroughly dry before starting the car, if you do get any kind of serious water in/on the electrical components.

 

Ok, Detailing 101.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/videos/

ALL modern cars are very well sealed electrically, and physically.

What I've been doing, and I get compliments on my engine
all the time, get a basic rubber safe cleaner like Simple Green,
(mentioned in the videos above) or a spray bottle type wheel
cleaner like Greased Lightening (I can't stand the smell of
Simple Green anymore), and get yourself a nice "body brush"
from Autozone or Pep Boys. By body brush I mean the long
soft bristle brushes that you are *supposed* to use on your
paint (I *don't* recommend them for your exterior!!!!).

Spray down the engine with water (not when the engine is hot)
spray it down with the cleaner of your choice, let soak for a
minute but DON"T let your cleaner dry. Scrub EVERYWHERE
with the body brush, and then hose off.

You'll flip when you see how much dirt just pours off your engine!

I do this whenever I wash my exterior, which is about once
a week. Super easy, and takes about 5 minutes for a quick
job, or about 15-20 minutes if I'm also detailing everything
for a show.

I hope this helps out some!

 

Not the best photo, but my engine looks just like new!!



Also be extra careful when you refill your oil. That's probably the #1 way to dirty
your engine. A little spill makes a LOT of mess!

(Edited Photo to Work--Sorry)

 

LonelyRaven,

I cannot see the picture.






jallamas

 

Try this:

Click Me

 

Thanks toastbox! Got to view picture.



jallamas

 

All the photos from the car show can be seen here:

http://www.blitz.cc/lraven//Ridgefest/index.htm

Out of 9 Scion entered in the show, we walked off with 9 trophy!!

 

you're quite welcome

 

LonelyRaven, Your ride looks very nice! So basically just hose, spray and scrub and wipe of the excess. I remember the old days of my Shelby that I forgot to cover the distributor and you know. I am just scared of what might happen.




jallamas

 

i cant really do that i have to wipe mine down with a cleaner and be really careful about rinsing because of my short ram intake dont want to get water in their

 

Good point about the short ram. You really don't wanna soak
the head on that.

Honestly, I've been hosing off engines for years. There are
some cars that are just notorious as not being sealed properly,
but Toyota is NOT one of them. The Japanese understand
how things should be built for wear and tear and cleaning!!

If this was an 80's car, I'd totally say use rubber bands and
plastic bags to protect electronic components, some 90's
cars, but this is 2005. I'd not worry unless you got a big
**** short ram or some sloppy **** underhood lighting.

I have my engine compartment LOADED with Cold Cathodes
and I still have no problems soaking the engine. But then I
took the time to seal off all the lights and the inverters and
shrink tube all the wires and terminals.

Engine cleaning is super easy. It really doesn't take much
water. Check out the videos I posted above and you'll see
what I mean.