cleaning engine bay

[jaredfrompcola]

Would you recommend cleaning engine like this guy. Basicly he covers alt and dist cap. Then sprays degreaser all over engine and wash it all down with hose. I don't want to try this if its going to cause problems later.

 

[5523Pathfinder]

If you do clean the engine and get the distributor wet, a can of WD-40 will get you on your way. I have cleaned my engine bay(as well as others) with little problem. The key is not to stay in one area too long. Spraying in the same spot will just push water into electrical connectors and flood plug holes. You just need to be careful. Having some compressed air around afterward is nice to push the left over water away.

[unccpathfinder]

I've purple powered My engine countless times with no issues...a few times I got the dizzy cap wet and just popped to off and dried it out...almost all the plugs r sealed but still don't want to drown them

[Tungsten]

I wouldn't bother with cleaning the grease off anywhere except for the wiring. Think of all that grease as an anti-rust coating.

[Towncivilian]

Wouldn't all the dust, grease, etc increase engine bay temperatures somewhat as it acts as insulation?

 

Anyway, I used Pledge once:

 

 

I did have some intermittent starting issues for a couple weeks afterwards. I went to turn the key to start, but nothing happened. Try again and it works fine. It was pretty much random. I probably got some Pledge in the alternator by accident, so be sure to cover up the battery and alternator at least.

Edited December 24, 2011 by Towncivilian

[unccpathfinder]

I usually did mine with the engine running (making sure the exhaust didn't get too hot before spraying it down and not spraying the although directly)...

 

I gave up on washing my truck and engine bay BC its a lost battle

[adamzan]

Spray some tire shine on the black plastics to really make it shine (top of rad, fan shroud, dizzy cap cover, coil cover if you still have them etc..). And your truck will smell nice as well lol.

Edited December 24, 2011 by adamzan

[JamesRich]

When I worked as a fleet repair mechanic I washed my motor at least once a month. The first truck I had was an 86 ford ranger with a V6, distributor in the back. Then I traded that for a 90 model chevy with a 350.

What I did was park the truck on the side of the shop in the morning. By around 11am the engine was cold. I just sprayed everything down with degreaser, I didn't cover anything, with the motor off. Then washed it with a steam cleaner with hot water and high pressure. Just don't blast anything electrical too close. After I finished it always started right up.

I would let it dry till the next day then spray everything down with tire dressing to make it shine. Yes it collected dust but it made it much easier to clean off. The pledge sounds like a good idea.

I did this every month or two for 7 years and never had a problem. Now if you drive to a car wash and try this be ready for a problem.

What wets the distributor is condensation from the distributor being warm when you hit it with cold water. Unless your cap is loose or cracked your not going to spray water inside of it.

James

[unccpathfinder]

Mine was getting it around the plugs or plug wires at the cap

[nismothunder]

Did mine at a car wash a few times, always was a bitch too keep running for a few minutes after first starting it up but never had a problem.

[unccpathfinder]

Only time I've had a hard time keeling it running was when it was still tbi and my air filter got soaked...after about 5 mins of good on throttle driving it all smoothed out