No plastic cover on my 3.6L

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

I spray down the whole engine with simple green, let it soak for 10 min. Take an old paint brush to break every thing loose. Then just spray down with water hose. I don't hose down the alternator, battery or fuse box, then wipe everything down with a micro fiber towel. Been doing this for years and never an issue. Always when the engine is cool. Used a little more than half of the spray.

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[WILDHOBO]

I spray down the whole engine with simple green, let it soak for 10 min. Take an old paint brush to break every thing loose. Then just spray down with water hose. I don't hose down the alternator, battery or fuse box, then wipe everything down with a micro fiber towel. Been doing this for years and never an issue. Always when the engine is cool. Used a little more than half of the spray.

I have too on other vehicles, but this one and JL’s have a label saying no spraying just in front of the air cleaner. I’ve heard of owners shorting out ECU’s.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I picked up my new gladiator a week ago today I opened the hood and notice there was no plastic cover on the 3.6L called dealer and they said it doesn't have one never seen that before

There are multiple threads on this, as well as bulletins. Jeep got rid of that in the 2021 model year.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have too on other vehicles, but this one and JL’s have a label saying no spraying just in front of the air cleaner. I’ve heard of owners shorting out ECU’s.

Shorting an ECU? Highly unlikely unless you use pressure against the connections themselves. Most of the connections under the hood could sit under water and be fine.
It's only when you aim high pressure against the connectors that you can blast water past the seals in the connector.

There's pretty much nothing you can hurt in the alternator as long as you don't use chemicals against it. I've washed engine compartments for decades - no issues ever (other than maybe not starting because water got under a distributor cap - pull the cap, use some WD40, and things were fine. That's with cars from the 60s through 80s)

 

[WILDHOBO]

Shorting an ECU? Highly unlikely unless you use pressure against the connections themselves. Most of the connections under the hood could sit under water and be fine.
It's only when you aim high pressure against the connectors that you can blast water past the seals in the connector.

There's pretty much nothing you can hurt in the alternator as long as you don't use chemicals against it. I've washed engine compartments for decades - no issues ever (other than maybe not starting because water got under a distributor cap - pull the cap, use some WD40, and things were fine. That's with cars from the 60s through 80s)

And yet there’s a warning label saying not to spray the engine compartment. There hasn’t been on any other vehicle I’ve ever owned either, but that doesn’t make them equal. I’ve personally met a JLU 3.6 owner who’s ECU was shot due to spraying the engine compartment down. I won’t be risking that, knowing that I might not be able to get a replacement for months. His Jeep was out of commission for a long time, due to spraying water in the engine compartment for cleaning. And it might not be covered under warranty.

 

[NachoRuby]

And yet there’s a warning label saying not to spray the engine compartment. There hasn’t been on any other vehicle I’ve ever owned either, but that doesn’t make them equal. I’ve personally met a JLU 3.6 owner who’s ECU was shot due to spraying the engine compartment down. I won’t be risking that, knowing that I might not be able to get a replacement for months. His Jeep was out of commission for a long time, due to spraying water in the engine compartment for cleaning. And it might not be covered under warranty.

That says don't pressure wash it, not don't spray it. It says the same thing in the owners manual. It's about pressure washing. Did that jlu owner use a pressure washer?

 

[WILDHOBO]

That says don't pressure wash it, not don't spray it. It says the same thing in the owners manual. It's about pressure washing.

I get that, but assumed (maybe incorrectly) that we were talking about pressure. As many people use do it yourself car washes for engines.

 

[NachoRuby]

I get that, but assumed (maybe incorrectly) that we were taking about pressure. As many people use do it yourself car washes for engines.

I just use my garden hose, using a low pressure shower pattern. I'm scared to death of pressure under there. Don't know what others are using.

I use a garden hose, simple green, and/or sonax engine cleaner and "gunk" foam.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And yet there’s a warning label saying not to spray the engine compartment. There hasn’t been on any other vehicle I’ve ever owned either, but that doesn’t make them equal. I’ve personally met a JLU 3.6 owner who’s ECU was shot due to spraying the engine compartment down.

The key is pressure.
You can force water past most types of seals if you aim things just right - or is that just wrong....
These ECUs just aren't all that sensitive, and with modern connectors being what they are, there's little chance of water getting in unless you aim at it.

The warning is generic to prevent dopes from taking that car wash wand and aiming closely to force every bit of grease off with pressure alone.
Don't drink the battery acid, warning, coffee is hot, don't stick your fingers in the fan, you know the drill. They have to idiot proof everything these days.
If they made a label that said don't use high pressure then someone would argue that their pressure washer isn't high pressure. So they have to stupid it down for all the maroons out there.
So if you drive through 30" of water, will the ecu stay dry?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I just use my garden hose, using a low pressure shower pattern. I'm scared to death of pressure under there. Don't know what others are using.

I use a garden hose, simple green, and/or sonax engine cleaner and "gunk" foam.

I've found most of what mine gets under the hood is simple dirt and really doesn't take much pressure. Any oil simple green would take care of.

I'm not a fan of engine degreasers like the spray can types. Pretty harsh stuff and don't generally do a great job.

I pressure wash - I'm just aware of what I'm aiming at......... and I strive to remove all of those caustic chemicals that are used at car washes.

 

[Rusty PW]

The key is pressure.
You can force water past most types of seals if you aim things just right - or is that just wrong....
These ECUs just aren't all that sensitive, and with modern connectors being what they are, there's little chance of water getting in unless you aim at it.

The warning is generic to prevent dopes from taking that car wash wand and aiming closely to force every bit of grease off with pressure alone.
Don't drink the battery acid, warning, coffee is hot, don't stick your fingers in the fan, you know the drill. They have to idiot proof everything these days.
If they made a label that said don't use high pressure then someone would argue that their pressure washer isn't high pressure. So they have to stupid it down for all the maroons out there.
So if you drive through 30" of water, will the ecu stay dry?

......... and I bet you stuck your finger in an outlet when you was a little kid too. Just to see what it felt like.......

 

[Geoarch]

It's not supposed to. They stopped putting engine covers on some time last year.

Mine built in April and no cover.

 

[Geoarch]

Cover has no purpose, so yes they cut it for cost savings.

Just think of that payload you gained back

1 extra mpg!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

......... and I bet you stuck your finger in an outlet when you was a little kid too. Just to see what it felt like.......

Uh, no........... why would I?
I'm smart enough to avoid things that are obviously trouble. I'm also clever enough to be able to wash an engine bay and not get into much trouble.
I was making electric and electronic projects before I was a teen.
I saw the black marks on the outlet cover at my friend's house ;-)

 

[Geoarch]

Bigfoot in dealer coveralls. Who does the battery replacements. Is using your engine cover as a seat. He has it sitting on a bunch of old aux14 batteries. That's why you don't have an engine cover.

Geez Russ, how does that stuff get into your brain. Do you live in a pot legal state? I’m ever amused.

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