How to clean the engine bay

Happy Fathers day to all the dads out there! Part of my Father’s Day gift was to go out off-roading yesterday. Tons of fun, but my engine bay is a bit muddy and needs to be cleaned. I’ve honestly never done it before and am hoping you all have some good tips for how to do it properly while still protecting the electronics. I have a 2017 DCOR. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cleaning-engine-bay.173916/

 

Thanks! Some good tips in here. I'm also hoping to identify what if anything should be covered when spraying. Not much mentioned in this thread.

 

I have used the pressure washer at the local car wash for years to clean my engines. I usually just use the rinse and try not to point it directly at electronics. The only problems I've ever had were on older vehicles when the plug wires would get wet. I always carried a can of WD40 to help displace the water. I know a lot of car manufactors these days warn about not washing the engine bay. I'm just going own my own experience and not trying to tell you that it's OK to do it. I currently have a 2016 Tacoma and a 2010 Highlander and I keep both engines spotless. Sometimes I'll use a detailer spray to finish. So far I haven't had any trouble with either vehicle.

 

The distributor and carburetor.

No? Ok, you're good.

I don't pressure wash anymore, but I do use a gentle hose spray.

 

Adams detailing products has a few good videos about specifically cleaning your engine. In general, they recommend:

1) Cover the battery to keep water off of it;
2) use your hands to remove leaves, needles, etc from the upper gaps where they usually get in;
3) use a hose ( no high pressure ) to get the majority of the dirt off;
4) use an engine cleaning spray with a brush;
5) rinse with the hose and repeat as necessary.

 

https://youtu.be/hwrrHkBsz1U

 

Did mine this morning... Cover Alt and soak with full strength simple green let set for 20 minutes hose off use air compressor to blow out engine bay spray with Stoner Trim Shine and this was the results below.....

 

If I do mine it shorts out the fuel injection systems and dies...

 

I usually just get a bucket of soapy water and a rag and just wipe it all down, I also do the underside of the hood and wax there too.

 

I like using Simple Green, seems to break up grime real well. I also use a brush to scrub everything, gets out stuff from corners that builds up there.

 

My OCD kicks in when I see my clean engine bay then look up and see a dirty under hood area ...

 

something loose in a connector somewhere as I never have this happen..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRSoRkM8GcM

 

A mild degreaser and a small pressure washer works great.

 

Same here, lol.

 

After reading other post where some are using Simple Green reminded me that I need to correct the statement I made about only having problems with wet plug wires because I did infact have a problem with an early 90s Hardbody when I sprayed it with Gunk engine cleaner. I'm not sure what chemicals were in Gunk at the time but it was very corrosive on electrical componets. It etched the silver contacts in the throttle positioner and caused it to malfunction. Just a warning to stay away from some chemical cleaners especially ones that contain ammonia because it will definitely attack copper. I HATE WHEN I HAVE TO CORRECT MYSELF !

 

If you use it straight it will erode the finish on aluminum if you let it sit too long.

 

I usually don't like ChrisFix's content, but this is actually a pretty good video for starters. I don't think people here need to start removing airboxes and stuff, but it's a good video.

 

I hate chris fix, he has a video where he waxes a windshield.....