Best advice for cleaning engine bay after going off road.....

I took my 2015 Blackout edition 4x4 off-road on some mountain trials a few weeks back and with this snow we just got here in Virginia I opened my hood this morning just to take a look and WOW it looks like a truck that wasn't just bought in September 2015!!! Is it honestly ok to spray it down with a pressure wash at the car wash? I have read that is not typically good, not really sure? I am looking to get it fully detailed after the winter season passes....just looking for a quick fix solution to get it looking temporarily better.....

 

Car wash is fine, just don't aim the high pressure stream directly at any electrical connections. I usually keep the motor running when I wash the engine bay.

 

no pressure washer in the engine bay.

Household hose pressure only, no direct solid stream, fog it. and turn the damn engine off.

 

That's what I do in the winter. I do let the engine cool a bit, so I pop the hood but don't open it, then I spray down & wash my truck. Once that's done I open the hood and spray the underside of the hood and entire engine bay. Just don't get too close with the sprayer. I've never covered anything and It's always started right up after.

 

I use a cheap foaming engine degreaser from Autozone. costs like $4. Spray it one when the engine is cool, wait 10-20 minutes then hose it off really well. Just make sure to spray the foam and water from all directions to get it clean.
I do not like to use pressure washers under the hood because of the risk of knocking off hoses that start flipping check engine lights on.

 

My routine for engine washing: Warm, NOT hot engine. Spray down with a solution of 1/3 Simple Green and 2/3 water. Close hood. Wash car. Reopen hood and hose down. Any areas left with grease and grime, spray again with the SG/Water solution and go at them with a soft brush, rinse again.

 

Cold engine. Simple green on everything but the electronics. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Then use a misty spray attachment to wash it off.

 

during the early 70's, GM's Packard electric division introduced the weather pack electrical connector (later the metri pack connector) an by the late 70's, every domestic auto maker had integrated the connector system into their automotive electrical systems. the point - weather pack connectors are designed for harsh environments, they are water and corrosion resistant. I have pressure washed engines on my vehicles for years with no ill effects. I would never subject an individual connector to a 1000 psi spray/stream, but, they are very robust and likely to hold up under most engine cleaning routines, be it a garden hose or pressure washer. (not like the old days where you had to cover a distributor and other electrical components)

 

Engine on, spray with degreaser, drive to car wash, pop hood & rinse off under pressure while staying away from battery, intake & any head gaskets that shouldn't be subject to lateral pressure. That being said, not much of the advice given here is going to get you in trouble as it's more safe it's just not as likely to get an engine clean that is really dirty.

 

If you own firearms, find a liberal, show them your collection of same firearms, then use a bucket to catch their tears.

Nothing cleans mud off a Toyota Tacoma EarthFucker(TM) Edition better than liberal tears.

 

Probably sounded cooler in your head.

 

I'm guessing 6 maybe 7 re-writes

 

He ain't about dat Bay Area life.

 

That reminds me, 880-south was a mess this morning. It was flooded with tears. I need better tires.

 

Please tell me how you can stand to live in the bay area with "feelings" such as yours. Not that I disagree with you. Are you sure you really live in the "Bay" area?

 

It ain't easy, I'll say that much. I live in San Mateo County, which is interesting. We've got a public range, run by the county Sheriff, our Sheriff actually gives out CCWs, and my town has an awful lot of gun owners and hunters.

I hung my buck in the open garage last October to skin. Half the neighborhood was horrified, the other half came over with beers, stories, and their kids.

If it wasn't clear, I hate liberal progressives (mental disorder), I hate where I live, but I'm stuck here a few more years. With luck I'll get back to Helena once the kid goes off to college.

 

No, no I'm not.

 

Pressure wash all the time, never had problem or check engine light. Get it good and hot after to dry out any moisture.

 

God speed, obscurotron.