cleaning engine bay

[ragin_cajuns]

i have never really cleaned an engine bay on any vehicle i have ever owned other than wiping areas with a rag from time to time. i never am sure what you can get wet and what you can't get wet. i was watching some adam's poliches videos today and came across this one -

 

http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/10190-how-to-engine-bay-detailing/

 

they cover the engine bay area well with cleaner and completely hose it down. can i get under my 2016 sierra hood with the hose like that? still makes me a little nervous

[sahls01gmc]

You found the exact thing I was going to link! Adam's does a great job of showing how to handle each task. If you have a lot of actual grease under there from an oil leak or something similar, then knock those areas out with some engine degreaser first since it is the most "potent" chemical. Then you can wash the rest with All Purpose Cleaner and brushes to get into the difficult areas.

 

Post up some before and after pics!

[ragin_cajuns]

my truck is a brand new 2016 sierra so it isn't at all oily or greasy. i just want to keep it looking that way but have always been nervous about spraying the hose under the hood since i'm not sure what to avoid. from the link it looks like they weren't worried about avoiding anything. but maybe the key was they were not using high pressure, just a gentle rinse.

[sahls01gmc]

Just noticed you on the Adam's Forum! You'll be fine cleaning yours. Spray it all down with All Purpose Cleaner and scrub it with brushes just like they do, then hose it all off. Make sure to get all of the product off because it will stain. Run the engine for 20 minutes or so to evaporate all of the water, and then you can dress the engine as you see fit!

[lrhochgesang]

Washing under the hood is perfectly fine. Main thing to avoid is spraying directly into the alternator and starter and using high pressure on electrical components. But a simple degreasing and rinsing is perfectly fine.

 

 

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[Tlenzi]

Cool to warm engine, spray down with Simple Green and let it stand for about 10 min. If you have heavy dirt, scrub with a brush and hose off. If engine is relatively clean you can skip the brush and just hose it off. Simple Green has no caustic chemicals to degrade plastics or stain metals. After it dries I spray the whole engine down with silicone spray. It will brighten the engine, hoses, plastics, and wires preserving them from heat, grime, engine chemicals, dry rot, and protects against moisture. Yes it will attract dust but it will make cleaning off next time easy. The dirt will just hose off.

[Boardmember]

I've used Simple Green as above poster indicates and it works perfectly.

 

I've had the same cloud of concern about hosing under the hood so (maybe naively) I cover some of the sensitive areas loosely with aluminum foil just to ensure I DONT misapply any water pressure.

 

But I sure do sigh with relief when the thing cranks right up after I do it...!

[Phillip123]

Washing under the hood is totally OK.

[Cowpie]

Well, if some of us that live on gravel roads didn't wash off the engine and compartment every now and then, we would soon never even see the motor anymore. I wash engines off under cars, pickups, semi trucks, ag tractors, lawn mowers, everything. I have never had an issue doing so in 40 years. My 2015 Silverado included. I even take off the engine covers on top the engine and spray the top end down to get built up debris off. Considering the amount of rain that comes in the front end when driving down the highway in a thunderstorm, I find it hard to believe that washing under there is going to hurt anything. Of course, high pressure spraying into some electrical components is not a wise idea.

[Long Box 2k]

What about getting water under the intake? I had to replace knock sensors from anti freeze the leaked from the heater hose disconect. It stayed in the cavity for the knock sensor. Will rinse water do the same?

[Badass69]

If you didn't fix the rubber plugs in the lifter valley properly with silicone and somehow manage to get a quart of water in there sure...But unlikely. Anything after a gen 3 truck won't have that problem anyway.

 

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