Dirty engine bay

[atlsud]

I'm looking for some help on cleaning the engine bay. Hopefully, someone can point out what to cover and what not to get wet.

Some pics or video would be great.

Thanks!

[staax]

On a stock engine, basically just your alternator (and battery if you want) if you plan to pressure wash it. Avoid directly hitting electrical connections.

I always soak some degreaser in specific areas, wait a few mins, use the pressure washer and then use a towel to wipe down all the plastics. Heat from engine will dry everything else.

[drc69]

I use a "little bit" of Dawn liquid in warm water and hand wash plus cover what has been covered already. I use an old chamois to dry plus I use my air compressor to blow out excessive water.

[2014Forte5]

Search for ChrisFix videos. He has literally a video for everything a car guy needs to know.

[PLP]

All right... that is a bit too much.
I am not going to spend 4 hours on toothbrush cleaning my engine bay. I simply spray it with hose. Some dirt - I simply wash it using same detergent I wash my car (turtle wax or meguiar).

More annoying to me are the door wells... they pickup lots of dust.

[2014Forte5]

All right... that is a bit too much.
I am not going to spend 4 hours on toothbrush cleaning my engine bay. I simply spray it with hose. Some dirt - I simply wash it using same detergent I wash my car (turtle wax or meguiar).

More annoying to me are the door wells... they pickup lots of dust.

LOL, then it's not for you. The information is out there though. Imagine if it takes 4 hours for you and I to do, how much it would take him with all the stop and filming he has to make. Sure his impetus is to make videos so he can make money from the viewership but his passion started with just fixing his cars himself. It's a win-win, really.

You mentioned how people taking pictures with cellphones isn't very representative so as a DSLR user you know these things take a lot of time. I tried my hand at making videos but man, it's a lot of work. Kudos to people like him though and just wanted to let his name be out there because his videos reach even the lowest common denominators which is good for guys like me who are all thumbs with cars.

[Gaijiin]

If you really want everything really clean. Go to a pressure spray bay. Mask the alternator, battery, harness with plastic. Use WD40. Spray the entire motor. Let it sit for the time it takes you to clean the outside of the car. Then pressure spray the WD40 off. Guarantee you motor is spic and span clean.

[Gaijiin]

All right... that is a bit too much.
I am not going to spend 4 hours on toothbrush cleaning my engine bay. I simply spray it with hose. Some dirt - I simply wash it using same detergent I wash my car (turtle wax or meguiar).

More annoying to me are the door wells... they pickup lots of dust.

Agreed, spray on spray off, drive until dry.

[PLP]

You mentioned how people taking pictures with cellphones isn't very representative so as a DSLR user you know these things take a lot of time. I tried my hand at making videos but man, it's a lot of work. Kudos to people like him though and just wanted to let his name be out there because his videos reach even the lowest common denominators which is good for guys like me who are all thumbs with cars.

He uses a good quality camera (I do not know the model) on tripod plus a microphone. Actually, you can see it in the reflection of one of his videos about washing car.

[shagger]

More annoying to me are the door wells... they pickup lots of dust.

+1, they do trap a LOT of gunk. The hatchback too! I usually open up the doors and hatch, wipe them down with a microfiber cloth dunked in whatever I am cleaning the car with and rinse with the hose nozzle on 'mist' or whatever, then wipe again with a dry cloth when I am drying the car. The doors are done last, since there's too much grease to use on any other part of the car. The engine gets done after the doors. For me its wheels first with Meguiars Hot Wheels and a brush then 5 gallons of mixed Chemical Guys Mr. Pink with two alternating microfiber mitts, doors and engine bay with microfiber cloths, rinse then dry with microfiber cloths.