Engine Bay Cleaning

[ketanladd]

Hi All,

Has anyone had or cleaned the engine bay area? Obviously the intake area needs to be covered but has anyone experienced any issues or should there be other areas that should be avoided.

My engine bay is covered in sand and i really want to get it cleaned but nervous for the car wash guys to do it.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

[Turboencabulator]

My engine bay is covered in sand and i really want to get it cleaned but nervous for the car wash guys to do it.

I think your concern with having the car wash guys cleaning inside the engine bay is wise. There are plenty of things in there that won't react well if sprayed with a pressure washer by an inexperienced car wash dude.

Personally I prefer to use air. I try to avoid spraying water in engine bay when possible. Just like you said, I cover the intake, then I use my EGO blower and give it a once over. Then I use my compressor with the little air blow gun pictured below or if I am going full on CDO (OCD) I get out the air blow gun with 2ft extension to reach those hard to get areas. Honestly the air blow gun it highly underutilized by most people in the car cleaning process. It is about the only thing that will get Golden Retriever dog hair out of automotive carpet quickly and easily . I love that little thing (almost as much as I love lamp). I did wrap the metal tip with some heat shrink tubing to prevent it from scratching stuff. I also like the EGO 765 CFM paired with the Stubby Nozzle which makes for a great car dryer (and engine cleaner).
Good luck!

 

[ketanladd]

I think your concern with having the car wash guys cleaning inside the engine bay is wise. There are plenty of things in there that won't react well if sprayed with a pressure washer by an inexperienced car wash dude.

Personally I prefer to use air. I try to avoid spraying water in engine bay when possible. Just like you said, I cover the intake, then I use my EGO blower and give it a once over. Then I use my compressor with the little air blow gun pictured below or if I am going full on CDO (OCD) I get out the air blow gun with 2ft extension to reach those hard to get areas. Honestly the air blow gun it highly underutilized by most people in the car cleaning process. It is about the only thing that will get Golden Retriever dog hair out of automotive carpet quickly and easily . I love that little thing (almost as much as I love lamp). I did wrap the metal tip with some heat shrink tubing to prevent it from scratching stuff. I also like the EGO 765 CFM paired with the Stubby Nozzle which makes for a great car dryer (and engine cleaner).
Good luck!
View attachment 5559

Ah thank you so much for the detailed response and the tips! Really appreciate it.

 

[thexr6]

I think your concern with having the car wash guys cleaning inside the engine bay is wise. There are plenty of things in there that won't react well if sprayed with a pressure washer by an inexperienced car wash dude.

Personally I prefer to use air. I try to avoid spraying water in engine bay when possible. Just like you said, I cover the intake, then I use my EGO blower and give it a once over. Then I use my compressor with the little air blow gun pictured below or if I am going full on CDO (OCD) I get out the air blow gun with 2ft extension to reach those hard to get areas. Honestly the air blow gun it highly underutilized by most people in the car cleaning process. It is about the only thing that will get Golden Retriever dog hair out of automotive carpet quickly and easily . I love that little thing (almost as much as I love lamp). I did wrap the metal tip with some heat shrink tubing to prevent it from scratching stuff. I also like the EGO 765 CFM paired with the Stubby Nozzle which makes for a great car dryer (and engine cleaner).
Good luck!
View attachment 5559

Turbo- every damn thing you post is golden! Going shopping yet again…thank you!

 

[Electrified]

Turbo- every damn thing you post is golden! Going shopping yet again…thank you!

I agree. The man is a walking treasure trove of information.

 

[Tejas392]

I feel sometimes like we should pay @Turboencabulator . You are a fine man sir and I really appreciate your shared knowledge and effort. I find myself telling just the people in my normal of your diligence and value, often. So, thank you, and if we cross paths I will gladly pick up your tab.

 

[Turboencabulator]

Thank you guys!
Honestly I really appreciate this forum and all the great people on here. This 392 is my first Jeep and I have learned so much on here and I am always glad to help. The wave, helping out a fellow jeeper, it’s all just a Jeep thing. Thanks @willy and @YukonCornelius for running such a nice 392 forum to share ideas.

 

[Douno4Sure]

FYI, HF also offers a 20 In. Telescoping Air Blow Gun. Very Handy for $8.

I’ve used my Leaf Blower and air compressor to dust off and dry-off my Jeeps and Harley ever since seeing Air Dryer hoses in the self-serve car wash bays. Works good but would be better if it was warm-hot air. Just air doesn’t really dry, more moves the water and pushes it around and off.

Anyone know of a Hot-Air-Leaf-Blower on the market for Touchless-Drying? Got to be something all the detailers use that we can get our hands on.
I think I just talked myself into another research project to find something that blows hot air, concentrated, and stays hot long enough to do the job…

 

[YukonCornelius]

Anyone know of a Hot-Air-Leaf-Blower on the market for Touchless-Drying?

Move to Texas and use pretty much any blower. You'll be blowing 100 degree air every day!

 

[scarab]

It's a cool idea to get rid of some minor dust with the air, but it's not gonna work with red dust after a trip to Moab So the question is still valid to me. I guess it should be fairly safe to wash it considering precautions like to be careful around the alternator, intake etc.

 

[EBYCREEK]

I cover the air intake with a plastic bag and use a power washer being careful not to spray directly at the alternator. Never had a problem on any car.

 

[mini2nut]

Speaking of the 392 engine bay I wonder how much of a challenge it is to change out the spark plugs. The 392 Hemi uses 16 plugs, 2 per cylinder. That engine bay is tight!