Cleaning your Engine Compartment not only looks good, but helps remove old oil, tar, dirt, grime, and contaminants. This in turn may help your engine run cooler. If for no other reason, it looks good to have a clean engine bay! A friend and co-worker of mine showed me this method. I tried it and was impressed, so I thought I would share.
Supplies:
A can of degreaser with a pump sprayer, or simply use what I use, which is "Simple Green".
A can of rubber and vinyl protectant like Meguiar's Natural Shine.
Some rags
An old toothbrush
A water source, like a garden hose.
A bucket, sponge and vehicle shampoo; because you will be washing the truck, too.
Step 1:
Start with a cool engine, with the hood open.
Take a good look at your dirty engine, because it's about to get nice and clean!
Step 2:
Set your degreaser nozzle to spray. Spray the entire engine compartment, focusing on the dirtiest areas around the oil filler, head gasket covers, brake reservoir, and what ever is most dirty on your truck.
Do your best to avoid spraying into electrical parts directly, including the alternator.
Spray from various angles. Remember everything has a top, bottom, and sides.
Let the degreaser sit for a few minutes. With Simple Green, I wait 10 minutes, or until the stuff starts to dry.
Use a rag and an old toothbrush to scrub any set-in grease or stains.
Step 3:
Use the garden hose to spray off the degreaser.
Be extremely careful to avoid the major electrical components. Less is more, here.
After rinsing the engine compartment, look again for set is stains, and clean with rag or toothbrush.
Step 4:
While the engine is still wet, spray the engine compartment with the protectant. Spray it generously, but as stated before, try to avoid things like the alternator, etc. Spray everything that you want to shine, like the steering rod, support rods, hinges, firewall, etc.
Close the hood.
Start the engine.
Step 5:
While the engine is running, wash the exterior of your truck.
Take your time, you need about 15-20 minutes for the protectant to work.
What is happening is, as your engine heats up it begins to evaporate the water, and dry the protectant. Kind of a mini-steam cleaning!
After the wash, dry your truck, and turn off the engine.
Step 6:
Open the hood. WOW!
Wipe down any areas that have water puddles or too much protectant.
You did it!
Another set of BEFORE and AFTER pictures:
Supplies:
A can of degreaser with a pump sprayer, or simply use what I use, which is "Simple Green".
A can of rubber and vinyl protectant like Meguiar's Natural Shine.
Some rags
An old toothbrush
A water source, like a garden hose.
A bucket, sponge and vehicle shampoo; because you will be washing the truck, too.
Step 1:
Start with a cool engine, with the hood open.
Take a good look at your dirty engine, because it's about to get nice and clean!
Step 2:
Set your degreaser nozzle to spray. Spray the entire engine compartment, focusing on the dirtiest areas around the oil filler, head gasket covers, brake reservoir, and what ever is most dirty on your truck.
Do your best to avoid spraying into electrical parts directly, including the alternator.
Spray from various angles. Remember everything has a top, bottom, and sides.
Let the degreaser sit for a few minutes. With Simple Green, I wait 10 minutes, or until the stuff starts to dry.
Use a rag and an old toothbrush to scrub any set-in grease or stains.
Step 3:
Use the garden hose to spray off the degreaser.
Be extremely careful to avoid the major electrical components. Less is more, here.
After rinsing the engine compartment, look again for set is stains, and clean with rag or toothbrush.
Step 4:
While the engine is still wet, spray the engine compartment with the protectant. Spray it generously, but as stated before, try to avoid things like the alternator, etc. Spray everything that you want to shine, like the steering rod, support rods, hinges, firewall, etc.
Close the hood.
Start the engine.
Step 5:
While the engine is running, wash the exterior of your truck.
Take your time, you need about 15-20 minutes for the protectant to work.
What is happening is, as your engine heats up it begins to evaporate the water, and dry the protectant. Kind of a mini-steam cleaning!
After the wash, dry your truck, and turn off the engine.
Step 6:
Open the hood. WOW!
Wipe down any areas that have water puddles or too much protectant.
You did it!
Another set of BEFORE and AFTER pictures: