How to clean an engine compartment

[Jomax]

I'll have to do a before and after of a new truck I bought, the CCV is routed in the air intake and oil comes out slowly from the intercooler boots post turbo. What a mess if you don't clean the engine regularly.

 

[Azure]

Planning on doing this next week (rain this weekend ). Do you think the blue painters tape will work for this? I've got a ton of it. Lol

Nice write-up Mike!

 

[Christopher.Brown]

It's a shame that most newer luxury (and even base) cars have engine bays that are so completely covered with plastic panels. You can't even see my engine without removing several plastic pieces.

Too True! Sometimes i feel like an engine detail isnt an engine detail anymore.

Plus certain newer engine compartments look much more fragile than the older ones.

Ive asked severl clients if they want their engine bays detailed and they say "what for its covered" it kinda makes me chuckle

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I cleaned my engine a few weeks back, love the results after cleaning.

Before

After

Pictures look good. Keep some quick detailer or a trim coating like Wolfgang's Exterior Trim Sealant handy and every time you pop the hood to check the oil give everything a quick wipe.

I do this for Stacy's Honda and it keeps it looking new and is fast to do...

Planning on doing this next week (rain this weekend ).

Do you think the blue painters tape will work for this? I've got a ton of it. Lol

Nice write-up Mike!

Thanks and "yes", the blue painter's tape is more than adequate for the job.

Too True! Sometimes i feel like an engine detail isnt an engine detail anymore.

Plus certain newer engine compartments look much more fragile than the older ones.

Ive asked severl clients if they want their engine bays detailed and they say "what for its covered" it kinda makes me chuckle

Kind of weird huh? Pop the hood and there's nothing to see except a big hunk of plastic covering everything.

Makes it simple to clean up and keep looking good. The key is to find a product you like for this type of maintenance and use it often.


"Frequent car care is easy and fast car care"

 

[tswitz]

Mike-
I dont have a pic with me, but with a 2013 bmw 3 sedan or a 2006 highlander hybrid, both of which have an engine compartment with a lot of plastic. Will I do any damage if I just spray APC and rinse?

As a former "Mr. Goodwrench", may I suggest that if you're wondering what would be best to cover up in your engine compartment that you go to the dealer and talk to a technician and ask him to point out what to be careful with. They know best :dblthumb2:

 

[addysdaddy]

As a former "Mr. Goodwrench", may I suggest that if you're wondering what would be best to cover up in your engine compartment that you go to the dealer and talk to a technician and ask him to point out what to be careful with. They know best :dblthumb2:

An excellent suggestion. Thanks.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

As a former "Mr. Goodwrench", may I suggest that if you're wondering what would be best to cover up in your engine compartment that you go to the dealer and talk to a technician and ask him to point out what to be careful with. They know best :dblthumb2:

That's great advice and I'm sure if a person is patient, polite and nice they can get permission to talk to a knowledgeable technician that will know where any and all sensitive components are located.

I actually don't like detailing engines other than,

• My own stuff - If I break it I can fix it.

• Cosmetic Detailing - This can be done with simple spray-on, wipe-off products and a pile of microfiber towels. Less water = less risk.

But along the train of thought in your answer, years ago I wrote this little recommendation to help out forum savvy people wanting to clean and detail their engine compartments.


How to use a Discussion Forum to Detail an Engine



And I still stand by it today as a great first step for most people.

 

[addysdaddy]

As it happens I was at the dealer today and had the tech show me what to protect. Pretty simple actually but...he didn't like the idea of even taking a garden hose to the engine compartment and cringed when I told him my plan. He much preferred Mike's Cosmetic Detailing procedure over a hose, though a light mist (standing back from the compartment) from a regular hose seemed to finally past muster. He warned against using a pressure washer under any circumstances.

So since I just completed a thorough cleaning with water, my plan going forward will be to clean the reachable parts cosmetically with APC & a towel and once a year do a thorough "wet" cleaning.

 

[HateSwirls]

I never use a water hose since I got it clean, not I give it a good wipe down each month using my QD.
Always worried I'd cause damage even though Toyota said its safe to use water on my RAV4.
Just can't miss a month because then it would become more difficult to get it back clean.
I use my steamer around the areas that or dirty,like around the valve cover

 

[scottdevine]

Did my first engine this afternoon, Mikes guide really helped out, as do all his threads! Here is the before shot

and After:

I started by taping off the vehicle

I the used my leaf blower (car dryer), to blow all the debris, and loose dirt from the engine, then got a small brush in there to really help clean it out. I then turned to my Simple Green APC and heavily sprayed the product everywhere.

Then i grabbed some misc brushes and towels i have laying around and sent at it, scrubbing everything after 10-15 minutes, i kept the product wet with my pressure washer, once I was satisfied with the result, i sprayed the whole compartment down, and used the dryer to blow all the free standing water out. I turned to my Black Wow, and wiped the compartment down.

I'm pleased with the results, and got over my fear of soaking the engine compartment down. As always, i can't thank you folks enough for all the great information and knowledge i have gained here on the forum!:dblthumb2:

 

[Clint Allerton]

This was an excellent article. I never thought of using the foam gun to apply the degreaser. Great idea. I have one and will try using it next time. I am impressed with the results of the engine cleaning, and it didn't look too difficult.

Car Detailing Columbus, Ohio | Mobile Auto Detailing Columbus, Ohio | Auto Detail Doctor

 

[bimmer325!]

Mike..I LOVE my Metro Sidekick as well!!!!!!
Use it almost daily..blowing out engine bays, driveways, mirrors, door jams, interiors, and my German Shepherd! Cool tool to have powerfull and quiet.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

This was an excellent article. I never thought of using the foam gun to apply the degreaser. Great idea.

I have one and will try using it next time. I am impressed with the results of the engine cleaning, and it didn't look too difficult.

Definitely give it a try... one of the advantages of foam is it clings and dwells to surfaces better than a liquid which tends to just run off and onto the ground.

Mike..I LOVE my Metro Sidekick as well!!!!!!

One of my top 10 favorite tools....


:dblthumb2:

 

[fixvet]

A product like 303 Aerospace Protectant, USED CORRECTLY is wiped to a hard dry finish, thus no oily residue on the surface.

See what I say about how to use it in this article in step #4


How To Restore and Protect a Vinyl Top using 303 Products

Mike, I discovered the protection benefits of Aerospace 303 Protectant 17 years ago while working in an RV Service center in Temecula, CA. We sold it by the gallons to a lot of the hard core over the road RV owners for their awnings, tires, outdoor furniture, and anything else vinyl, plastic, leather and even metal wiper arms. I've used on my own cars since then and my detailing clients too. I've never found anything better. My '98 Corvette looks better than new even w/ 90k miles on the clock now. I used on all the interior pieces as well as under the hood and tires. When I buy new tires, I apply a heavy wet coat of 303 on the total tire/everywhere the day before I have them mounted. I reapply as needed, normally for me 2-3 times a year for the Vette. I've converted a lot of car guys from using other products. :xyxthumbs: I buy it locally at Ace Hardware stores.

 

[irsankao]

Hi mike,
I got a question. What was the dilution ratio when you used ARO?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hi mike,
I got a question. What was the dilution ratio when you used ARO?

I think I was using straight out of the bottle. Really foamed up good.


:dblthumb2:

 

[Whitewater25]

With all that foam,the only thing missing is some loud techno & flashing lights

 

[Azure]

Okay, it's finally time for me to do a deep clean on my engine bay. I don't have to daily drive her anymore so it's worth the extra effort (taping and sealing areas).

I can't decide on a product to try, so I thought I'd ask you guys. My concerns are gaskets, hoses, and aluminum. I want to make sure I choose something that isn't going to be too aggressive for these materials. Can anyone suggest a nice cleaner/degreaser? I have a garden hose variety foam gun from Adam's Polishes, so maybe I could use that, but I'm up for suggestions.

Thanks!


IG: @azurebluemach

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

That engine compartment looks fairly clean to start with.

Instead of spraying it all down with some type of cleaner maybe just so a cosmetic engine detail like this,


Review - NEW BLACKFIRE All-In-One Trim & Tire Protectant



2012 Chevy Traverse - Cosmetic Engine Detailing

At our last detailing boot camp class we teach two types of engine detailing.

Full engine detailing - That's where you use an engine degreaser and actually wash out the engine bay using running water.

Cosmetic engine detailing - This is where you simply blow-out the engine compartment with air and then wipe the engine compartment down using some time of dressing.
​

I let my class use the new NEW BLACKFIRE All-In-One Trim & Tire Protectant to do cosmetic engine detailing to this 2012 Chevy Traverse.

Before

After

Before

After

It works GREAT for doing cosmetic engine detailing and the above took less than 15 minutes!

If you're simply working on your own cars you can include this as a part of your Saturday wash and wax and get it done fast.

If you're detailing for money, then adding cosmetic engine detailing as an upsell is a money maker.



Cleaner, safer, easier and faster.

Avoid the mess and the risk.

My favorite type of engine detailing for newer cars.

 

[Paul A.]

I agree with Mike...if i had that engine i wouldn't really feel the need to deep clean it! If you must, i like the Amazing Roll Off product Mike used on his truck to start this thread.