Cleaning the Engine Bay

[ExplorerDMB]

I have done a search and haven't found a whole lot about cleaning engine bays. I heard some Mean Green stuff works well. Sort of a spray it on, sit for a few, then wash off. I am a little hesitant of putting a lot of water under the hood....but I heard Mean Green isn't for the "shiny" look, more for just getting it clean. I first just want to clean it up real well. Any opinions would be nice. Thanks

I doubt it matters, but it's a 4.0L SOHC engine in a 00 4door XLT


-Drew

 

[jazz_master221]

i use simple green on my 4.0 sohc 97 x....spray it on let it sit then hose ift off with a lite spray of water don't soak your engine with a forceful spray.....i ltry to let it dry for a bit before i start it ..caution...don't do this with the engine hot..good way to crack a head or block..make sure your engine is cold to the touch..before you spray any water on...i avoid spraying water on the altenater..

 

[DeRocha]

I take a few plastic grocery bags and wrap them around any parts I want to keep water off of (Alternator, air filter, power steering pump etc).

 

[spindlecone]

I do mine once a month, have never had a problem with doing it this way:
If you have an open intake cover the filter with a plastic bag.
On a cold engine spray all down with simple green, let it set no more than 10 mins.than rinse all off with water, no need to worry about the alt, coilpack etc, just spray the sh$t out of everything.
Next I take my yard blower and blow off any excess water, compressor works also.
Close the hood and drive on down to the Harley store and pick up a can of pigspit.
www.pigspit.com, when back home let the engine cool, than spray pigspit all over the place, wipe up any excess,Done, all will look like new
P.S do not forget to remove the bag from the open intake if applicable.
I did once and did not get to far down the road

 

[raptor86]

so i can get water on everything inside my engine bay...motor, electrical parts, battery, etc?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Simple Green? Where can you get that from? Autozone?

-Drew

 

[j602]

I've sprayed my whole engine down with a mild spray of water after multiple mudding trips and never had problems with the water getting into anything. As for as cleaning products, I use Purple Cleaner to hand clean the engine. Makes it looks great and will clean up ANY crap you can throw at it.

 

[Robb]

Mean Green OWNS Simple Green. And it is cheaper!!

I use Mean Grean as my all-around degreaser for everything in the house and garage. The stuff is incredible!

 

[ExplorerDMB]

where can you get mean green?

 

[Robb]

I always get mine at the Dollar General, but I do believe Food Lion is also carrying it now.

I am sure bunches of places have it, but if you have a DG nearby, they will definately have it.

 

[spindlecone]

so i can get water on everything inside my engine bay...motor, electrical parts, battery, etc?

Yes, no harm will be done to anything.
You can get simple green at any grocery store, is the best grease cutter bar none, will not harm the environment, you can actually brush your teeth with it, is tottaly non-toxic
Do not use GUNK which is nothing but diesel fuel in a spray can

 

[j602]

where can you get mean green?

Got a CarQuest near you? They usually carry everything like that and it's where I get Purple Cleaner, which I'm pretty sure is very similar to Mean Green(Degreaser/cleaner).

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Thanks everyone for your help. I will go out soon and get it. Maybe try it out tomorrow. Thanks again everyone

-Drew

 

[raptor86]

so those Gunk brand engine degreasers and engines shiners are all crap? just use simple green. I use that stuff on my dirtbike and it works great. It gets all teh residue of mud thati would normally have to use a rag and manually wipe off. WIth simple green, it lets me spray it off.

i was just weary about getting certain components in the engine bay wet. So other than my air filter, EVERYTHING can get wet if i spray it down with a hose?

 

[spindlecone]

so those Gunk brand engine degreasers and engines shiners are all crap? just use simple green. I use that stuff on my dirtbike and it works great. It gets all teh residue of mud thati would normally have to use a rag and manually wipe off. WIth simple green, it lets me spray it off.

i was just weary about getting certain components in the engine bay wet. So other than my air filter, EVERYTHING can get wet if i spray it down with a hose?

If all Your electrical componants are intact with no cracks, missing pieces etc, water will not hurt anything, just do it

 

[IAmTodd]

How about power washers? Or is the degreaser and normal water pressure good enough?

 

[spindlecone]

Would not use a power washer, one of the above cleaners and a hose is fine
and do try some pigspit, you will be amazed

 

[Fish Man]

and spindle that looks super clean...then again its an 03 so you dont have far to go but ya kno w

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I will take before and after pictures. I have a '00 - so there is a good amount of gunk on there, especially since I've gotten it lifted. I will hopefully get to it this week sometime and post the pictures soon after. Thanks again for all of your alls help. I bought some Simple Green tonight.

-Drew

 

[DeRocha]

How about power washers? Or is the degreaser and normal water pressure good enough?

I would only use a hose with normal pressure under the hood and to wash the exterior. I would only use a power washer on the undercarriage.