Engine detailing?

[Radio Guy]

I'm not an expert in washing engine compartments but can recommend a few things from experience. Never wash a hot engine! I did this once to an IROC Z28 and it cracked the aluminum intake manifold. I actually heard it crack. Avoid high pressure spray where it might force water where it doesn't belong. This would be things like into the alternator, distributor, electrical connections, any place that water would normally never be able to get into. After washing or cleaning the engine compartment I always start the vehicle right after to make sure it works and runs smooth, then drive it around to let the heat and fan evaporate everything.

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[darkhorse13]

Yoooo

What's going on on top of your battery.

Custom dual battery setup

 

[Trailman]

Obviously these cleaned engines look fantastic. In comparison mine looks like... crap. I'm jealous.

But can anyone comment on the health of the engine? Is this good, bad, irrelevant, etc? I've always been too nervous to do any type of cleaning under the hood. And I've had a Toyota hit 285k before I traded it in... but I wasn't doing snow trails, mud trails, river crossings, etc...

 

[NachoRuby]

Here are the shots, they had the right idea, but the tape was too short.

Mine's like that too. I had them repaint under warranty. Still. It's just going to do it again though.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

How do you like the trigger 6? What mount did you go for in the cabin?

Here’s the mount. I love the Bluetooth aspect of the Trigger 6 unit. There’s only one small gauge wire running from the unit under the hood to the switch plate to activate the switches and power the lights that have a soft glow. They could be brighter. The switch panel is magnetic and can be simply removed and used off truck if you want to play with the lights sitting by the fire. The panel takes 2 quarter size batteries. The batteries don’t last long as they are on all the time just for that feature. You cant shut them off unless the truck is off. I have the unit powered only if the truck is running. It doesn’t need the batteries in the panel to function. Switches are stiff which I don’t like but they do take some usage before getting easier. I believe they can be changed out for other types but haven’t looked into that yet and won’t unless I’m extremely bored and need something to do.

I didn’t have this system in my last truck so all the wiring had to be fished through the fire wall. Not this time! All wiring stays outside.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Obviously these cleaned engines look fantastic. In comparison mine looks like... crap. I'm jealous.

But can anyone comment on the health of the engine? Is this good, bad, irrelevant, etc? I've always been too nervous to do any type of cleaning under the hood. And I've had a Toyota hit 285k before I traded it in... but I wasn't doing snow trails, mud trails, river crossings, etc...

In all my years of washing my own engine bays (38 years), I’ve never had a water issue that caused the engine to not start. The jeep has been no different but the electronics have increased dramatically. I don’t have the spray full on or with trigger pulled. The spray is more like half pressure or less when the trigger isn’t pulled. I avoid concentrated time around electrical connections and fuse box and quickly pass over the alternator and move on.

 

[Modeldude]

Mine's like that too. I had them repaint under warranty. Still. It's just going to do it again though.

Eesh, I don't think I would have them repaint the hood, I can see it getting fixed at the cost of broken paint edges at the hood hinge bolts. No thanks, plus as you say it will come back.

 

[NachoRuby]

Eesh, I don't think I would have them repaint the hood, I can see it getting fixed at the cost of broken paint edges at the hood hinge bolts. No thanks, plus as you say it will come back.

They just re-painted the underside, not the top. The engine facing side.

 

[Modeldude]

They just re-painted the underside, not the top. The engine facing side.

Yeppers, I figured that but did they remove the hood to do it?

 

[NachoRuby]

Yeppers, I figured that but did they remove the hood to do it?

No clue. But they didn't damage anything. No overspray, no issues resulting. if they didn't, then they marked everything off well, and prepped well.

 

[seven30]

Purple Power + Power Sprayer (insert caution) + Adam's Back to Black spray if you want really wet look... otherwise Adams VRT for dry shine

I want to re-enforce caution with purple power. I use it to clean disassembled engine parts where I can immediately blast with pressure washer but that stuff is just to corrosive to use on assembled engines much less anything electrical.

 

[Brojave22]

Still using the 303 product? Its my “go to” as well. Was running it on the tires for awhile. Works great on the spray-on bed liner too.

which 303 product are you referring to?

 

[Maximus Gladius]

which 303 product are you referring to?

Aerospace 303

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've always been too nervous to do any type of cleaning under the hood.

I keep some of my cars spotless under the hood. I've pressure washed (although carefully), used cleaners (safe cleaners) and never had a problem.
Water won't hurt alternators as long as they don't sit wet for a day.
I've been cleaning my engine bays for decades, show cars for a few of those decades.
The key is rinse. Never leave soap or cleaners on things. Cleaners are caustic. (very high pH to break down greases and oils)
I restore auto electric, including alternators, starters and more - the trick is to let them dry, don't wash then close the hood and park it. Alternators can take it. Heck, if you'd see where they are mounted on some cars - like mine........... they get wet just driving. They are wide open, dry out fast, and there is nothing to damage if it's just water. Sand and mud are the problem.

This is a 1982 car with a 1994 engine - and it's been washed many times. You could take a white glove to most of the engine bay when I prep it for shows.

I pressure washed my 70 Javelin engine bay as well. Again, dry things, do it warm, or even hot but don't hit hot parts with cold water. Warm engines and parts dry quickly.
Don't let soaps sit.

In all my years of washing my own engine bays (38 years), I’ve never had a water issue that caused the engine to not start.

Same here.
I usually wash them when warm or even "hot" (normal temp) though. That means water doesn't sit around.

I've been building engines - and detailing cars for a long time. Never a problem. But like said, don't run extreme high pressure focused into connectors, etc.
I use Simple Green to wipe down wires - removes the grease or oils and it's harmless.

When you show cars, you get good at detailing engines. I usually get perfect scores on how clean things are.
Last time around they couldn't find any dirt or soil on or in the engine bay, or the undercarriage.

And yes, I have pressure washed my Jeep engines.

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