Washing Engine [Archive]

nagal

10-24-04, 09:16 AM

Okay, I admit it. I have never washed an engine. After a run to Big Bear yesterday (talk about a welcome suprise coming home friday night to a message saying be ready by 9:00 am) my engine is cover in mud and dirt. What is the best way to clean it up?

Thanks

[Fe]weapon

10-24-04, 11:32 AM

I just go to the car wash open the hood and let fly

but you may want to check some things first
open element air filter? if so plastic bag it
anyway water can get into the engine? missing oil cap, cracked pcv hoses

may want to let it cool down first as well
my distributor cap seals well so i dont have to worry about soaking it
if your jeep wont start or runs choppy after you may have to remove the cap and dry it with paper towels

HokieYJ

10-26-04, 10:50 AM

I always put a plastic bag and rubber band around the distributor and air filter (K&N). This works great cause you dont have to worry about the water blasting in. Also i spray some degreaser like Simple Green all over the engine before i wash the Jeep. Then I open the hood and wash the engine. It works for me :thumbs_up

aston

10-26-04, 10:02 PM

sarah

10-26-04, 10:33 PM

blkTJ

11-11-04, 01:08 AM

Sounds like a good question for Brian's Jeep washing forum. :yay:

Which I have never been invited to join btw.... :no: :hammie:

otoh Brian would never get his unit that yukky to begin with.

Chris L.

ROFL, on both counts.

Brian requested that only subscribers be priveledged enough to view his top secrets and hints. (Don't get too excited, there ain't much in there *Ducks & RUNS*)

:P :) ;)

J/K Brian your forum rocks!

See, this is what I get for not paying attention. I didn't see this until now. :rolleyes: :mad: :D

anyway, yes good info up there... and it is a good idea to do it when the engine is cold (cold water/hot metal... not such a great idea;)).

FWIW, my engine compartment is a mess, haven't been keeping up on it.

and... Sarah's right... the Jeep washing forum ain't all that happeinin'. :rolleyes: :D

you could just send her 20-30 bucks to become a damn(read:subscribed) member you cheap ass.;)

Dukes69

11-11-04, 12:18 PM

Spray some simple green or Super Clean on the engine, let it soak, then hose it down or pressure wash the sumbish. :D

seapahn

11-11-04, 12:21 PM

The only thing you want to really avoid spraying is the alternator and the intake if you ask me. I also try not to spray directly on the battery/electricals and the fuse box (although it's sealed pretty well).

Other than that, you may want to let it sit and dry on it's own for a while before starting it but that's never been a problem for me.

Black & Tan TJ

11-11-04, 03:13 PM

Here's what I do and I'm pretty good at keeping it clean. First I'll mix equal parts of water, tire dressing and baby oil in a spray bottle (good for detail work too). Shake it up good, spray the cold engine and let it sit. This softens the mess up somewhat. Then I'll wipe that off as best as I can everywhere. Then I'll use some kind of orange fortifed detergent and hot water in a hand pump sprayer and spray the engine, cold of course with 2 or 3 gallons. This presure is not enough to harm anything but the left over dirt so it's OK to be agressive but I do stay away from the sensitive electronics. Again letting it sit for awhile then rinsing it with hot water only in the same sprayer and a good towel drying. Then for the finish another light spraying of the water/oil/dressing mix. Last time I did this I also waxed the underside of the hood, sound anal? It just takes time. I do something similar to the under side as well. Spend a day getting dirty, spend a day cleaning it up.

B&T TJ

aston

11-11-04, 03:47 PM

You do Whaaaat?!?

:yay: Hey Brian :yay: you have some competition over here ;)

goodtimes

11-11-04, 04:00 PM

....long scary post....

B&T TJ

I like to keep the underside of my jeep clean too. But I find it easiest to simply scrub the dirt/mud/road grim off with big rocks. The easiest was is to find a large boulder field, and start driving. Unfortunately, this method doesn't do a very good job of cleaning the engine.

Hanzo

11-11-04, 04:23 PM

I wash the underside pretty much the same way I wash the rest of it...look for a relatively clear looking puddle.

Black & Tan TJ

11-11-04, 08:24 PM

You do Whaaaat?!?

:yay: Hey Brian :yay: you have some competition over here ;)

I like to keep my rig clean.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/Black&TanTJ/DSC00827.jpg

Cheers, B&T TJ

aston

11-11-04, 08:36 PM

Yup that's clean.

Where did you get the hi-temp brown textured exhaust manifold paint? :haha:

Cheers :beer: :thumbs_up

Chris L.

NAILER341

11-11-04, 08:45 PM

spray the hell out of it with super clean, count to 30, and run the pressure washer all over the whole mess. it will remove everything. takes 10 minutes. do the same for the underside of the jeep if you feel the need.
it works great for that greasy mud too.
just dont get it on the "good paint" :) :wave:
i have done this to my jeep many times. never covered anything, nor stayed away from any particular components under the hood. never a problem starting... never a problem at all.
that super clean kicks ass! if you get a spill on the driveway... super clean it. give it a copuple of strokes with a broom, and hose it off.
:wave:

sarah

11-11-04, 10:13 PM

Wow, I need to figure out how to CC this thread to the Jeep Washing Forum!
Now if I can just learn to COOK and CLEAN MY JEEP ... hehehe

blkTJ

11-12-04, 12:48 AM

I like to keep my rig clean.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/Black&TanTJ/DSC00827.jpg

Cheers, B&T TJ

I, sir, herby elect you as the new supreme high exhaulted moderator of the "Jeep Washing forum".

I can't hold a match, let alone a candle to your work. Hell, you even put Yates to shame.

Damn.

Hanzo

11-12-04, 08:40 AM

Is that a beer sitting on top?

Black & Tan TJ

11-12-04, 11:00 AM

Is that a beer sitting on top?

Home made as well. That's some of my holiday Oatmeal Stout. The attempt here was "clean enough to eat off of", so I improvised a little.

Cheers, B&T TJ