Hey do you guys have any advice on how to keep the engine compartment clean? After snowfall here... I get mass build up of that flaky white stuff all over the compartment... Sometimes I'll notice oxidation on anything connected to the negative battery terminal... anyone have any care care tips for this?

 

put a little grease on the battery terminal...there is a spray that the dealers use...its a red almost waxy grease. it will stop the oxidation problem...

as for keeping then engine bay clean (vs. cleaning the bay)
you can try to seal the hood...add rubber molding to the front and sides to keep the dirty water out...
under the front bumper...close off the open areas...the bumper has these fingers to support the undercarage shields...
seal off the upper grill opening...the grill just sits in there, add rubber seals around it...

 

also what about cleaning it when it isallready dirty

 

get your engine to operateing temp with hood closed then
get your whitewall tire cleaner spray on hose off all clean
dont forget to blow out any electrical connectors they are
sealed but passing over the components with compessed air will keep everything nice and clean as well

 

with your engine COLD, I would spray small sections at a time with Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover. Take a terry-cloth rag and wipe off each section. this technique works wonders on built up Crud!

 

simple green...and hose...

 

quoted for truth. Doesn't get much better, or easier than this.

 

k ive never even heard of simple green. what is it exactly? and when you do this, what do you cover up before you simple green it and hose it down?

im guessing battery terminals, intake filter, ? list what you cover up and what you use to cover them. for when i go to shows i want to have a clean looking engine and paper towels didnt work


thanks, scott

 

Actually, use the above, but use a brush too to help loosen the dirt. Rinse with running water. No high pressure.

 

I'm pretty sure spraying the engine compartment is bad for the car... unless you give it plenty of time to evaporate...

 

nope...never had a problem with any of my cars...

 

if you did have a problem from washing the engine, you could never drive in the rain....or hit any puddles

 

rain and puddles really isn't the same as opening up the hood and hosing the compartment down..

but to clarify what you are saying... are you saying that you can simply hose out the engine compartment? with no other precautions?

like protecting the battery... intake... fuse box etc?

 

Just pop the hood and spray ... I use the car soap thats left in the bucket after I wash my car ... I was the car, then pop the hood and wash the engine and then spray it off ... I have done this about 5-6 times already and never had any problems ... I also did NOT cover anything up, just left everything as it sits ... I dried alot of things off with a towel and then just left the hood open for about 30/45mins to let anything else that I missed air dry ...

 

if your intake filter is in the engine compartment, dont spray that...

the fuse holder have protective covers on them...they are fine...
the battery??? what could happen to that...

just don't be silly and open the hose fully....use the hose to mist or gently run water on the areas you need...
no pressure washing!!!