01Pathy3.5LE Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Hey everyone. I am looking to clean the engine compartment on my 2001 3.5 Pathy and I'm not sure how to start. With all the electricals under the hood, I don't want to short something out. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this and what chemicals to use? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 99% of the electrical connectors are watertight. They do that on purpose. Use some Purple Power or Castrol Super Clean on the dirty stuff and it'll all come clean. Simple Green works OK too, but that purple degreaser takes EVERYTHING off. Just be careful to not get any on the paint outside the engine compartment, it'll strip wax off and make it look crappy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01Pathy3.5LE Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 Do I need to rinse everything off with a hose when I'm done with the cleaner? Also, is this done to a hot engine or a cold one? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUELER Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 do it on a cold engine, and yes, spray it off when youre done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 *snort* Have you never washed dishes before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01Pathy3.5LE Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 Some cleaning agents do not need to be rinsed. Rinsing afterwords would cause rust. Some need it, some don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Automotive cleaning agents? Name one for us, please...besides Tire Shine. Not even close to the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01Pathy3.5LE Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 Most citrus degreasers do not need to be rinsed. They actually work better when not rinsed because the oils in the cleaner act as a protectant against corrosion. Spray and wipe clean. Done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navygz19 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 *snort* Have you never washed dishes before? (hides under a chair and chuckles a bit) Understood what your saying, however, you must rinse these. If I remember correctly after I used Purple Power last, it left behind a stain where it wasn't rinsed. Use low pressure water as well...do NOT go to one of those car washes and use the HP hose to rinse your engine bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezzy Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Use low pressure water as well...do NOT go to one of those car washes and use the HP hose to rinse your engine bay. Good point - dont want to accidently hit your rad directly with one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPLORx4 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 FWIW, I have a 1750psi electric pressure washer (from Home Depot), and I've used it many times to clean my engine bay. I first cover my open-element intake with a plastic grocery bag, then spray a "Degreaser/Cleaner" solution that I bought at Costco on the dirtiest parts, let it soak for about a minute, then spray the engine with the pressure washer. It works great. Note, however, that I use the "wide-angle" setting on the nozzle, and hold the wand about 18" from any vehicle parts. Afterward, I drive for a few minutes to heat up the engine and dry out the engine bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Yep, me too. Still runs fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmgar99 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 FWIW, I have a 1750psi electric pressure washer (from Home Depot), and I've used it many times to clean my engine bay. I first cover my open-element intake with a plastic grocery bag, then spray a "Degreaser/Cleaner" solution that I bought at Costco on the dirtiest parts, let it soak for about a minute, then spray the engine with the pressure washer. It works great. Note, however, that I use the "wide-angle" setting on the nozzle, and hold the wand about 18" from any vehicle parts. Afterward, I drive for a few minutes to heat up the engine and dry out the engine bay. I've doen the same thing like 5 times with no problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Good point - dont want to accidently hit your rad directly with one of those. Heh...I PURPOSELY use the high pressure hoses at the spray wash, or my own pressure washer to hose out any built up crap in my rad......never had an issue. I also use the pressure washer to rinse the engine...........just try to avoid spraying the distributor cap too much......never been an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navygz19 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Interesting...I've always been told not to use HP water, but oh well, learn something new everday I suppose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezzy Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I guess if youre careful it's ok, we did have a guy in the Xterra club that bent all the fins on his rad with a pressure washer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navygz19 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I think I'll still stick w/ LP water and extendable scrub brush for hard to reach areas (I have a tendancy to want to spray EVERYTHING with one of those hoses ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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