help clean under hood

[solara2200]

this morning i opened up the hood and noticed that the black piece that is right underneath the hood was filthy with dust. I tried using compressed air to get it out, but the dirt seems to get in deeper. I want to use water but i am not sure if it will break down the foam material after awhile. What do you guys use?

[~Spadwaller~]

you talking about the heat shield?

[solara2200]

yeah, the heat shield

[~Spadwaller~]

Doesn't have to be cleaned, but be that as it may use the water pressure gun at the car wash.

[solara2200]

damn quick reply. Ill try that next, thanx

[~Spadwaller~]

BTW dont forget to cover up all the electrical junk in the engine! Mozzeltoff!

[toy4x4boy]

Nothing in the engine needs to be covered. I wash my engine at least a few times a year.

[Yanks0114]

Nothing in the engine needs to be covered. I wash my engine at least a few times a year.

Not true, it depends on how you wash it. If you plan to spray water directly on the engine bay, I would be careful of electrical components and such. Infact, I wouldn't even reccomend using a hose nozzle to pressurize the water stream

[JAYDEE23]

Not true, it depends on how you wash it. If you plan to spray water directly on the engine bay, I would be careful of electrical components and such. Infact, I wouldn't even reccomend using a hose nozzle to pressurize the water stream[/quote]

yeah alot of components are water resistant...not water proof..can stand some moisture/water but cannot withstand submersion or pressure..and even if water does get into these components it doesnt mean they will stop working..could mean rust/corrosion down the line or some other consequence..

[toy4x4boy]

I've been washing the engine on my truck like that since I bought it in 1997 and have never had a problems or noticed any corrosion of any kind. Don't put the pressurized nozzle right up to the engine, hold it back a couple feet and there won't be any problems.

[trioptimum]

We washed the engine on my friends car once with a pressure washer, water leaked into the air intake and fried the fusebox guts among other things. Ouch.

Plus, pressure washing can tear that liner. I'd just use some goof-off or simple green / etc on a plastic wire brush or sponge and wash it off good, either of those should remove all the grime on the liner and anywhere else under the hood, then hand wipe it down with water. If you do pressure wash under there do it a few feet back and cover the intake and all electrical stuff, just to be safe. Use some plastic bags and rubber bands.

Edit: my quarter per minute carwash place has a setting with a foam brush to clean the engine compartment, uses simple green like solution that foams up, then you rinse it off, should yeild nice results given caution to the above.

[Hefty]

local parts store has several foaming engine cleaners in a spray can. Just follow the directions on the back of one of those cans and you should have no problems. It is good to periodically clean the engine as oil and dust accumulation, on the engine block itself, can contribute to higher engine operating temperatures.