Clean Engine Bay?

[JimB204]

Hey i badly need to clean my engine bay, it is caked in mostly dirt, probaly alot of grease also. Im trying to sell it to get a newer truck and someones supposed to look at it tomorrow, cant show it like it is now!

Anyways its a 1994 Full Size Blazer 350 V8 4x4

dont need it to be terribly clean but would like all of the mud to be gone at least..just wondering what all do i need to cover up to prevent water damage? And in what order should i do things with the water, degreaser, etc. I was gonna do it at a quarter carwash in raleigh with the pressure wand. Thanks!

[WhiteBrow24]

go to the quarter wash, take a plastic bag with you and cover up your alternator. after you spray it off really good get a can or 2 of degreeser and spray it all over the motor and everywhere and let it sit for a few mins, then spray it all off.

[chevysnbuicks]

http://www.blackmagicshine.com/produ...1-engine-shine

This works pretty good, but it's kind of a pain to use. whitebrow's suggestion probably will work better.

[JimB204]

okay, i just need to cover the alternator? ive heard i need to cover the air intake and distributor too?

[Joe]

Be very cautious using a pressure washer under the hood

[WhiteBrow24]

ya, i always just use a garden hose..

[dsponder]

before you go to the quarter wash soak it with 2 cans of degreaser then when you get to the wash add one more can. then with it running pressure wash it, it will be fine as long as you do it with it running.

[GMC Era]

The pressure wash place here has a degreaser setting on it. I usually spray the degreaser on, wait a few minutes, then swap to rinse and spray 'till it's clean. It works well, only takes about 5-10 min. and I've done it several times.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by GMC Era

The pressure wash place here has a degreaser setting on it. I usually spray the degreaser on, wait a few minutes, then swap to rinse and spray 'till it's clean. It works well, only takes about 5-10 min. and I've done it several times.

I avoid that setting myself. It is too easy to overspray it onto surfaces other than the motor compartment.

Use your own cans of degreaser, target the areas you want to clean and use a low setting on the water hose to avoid getting it in places you don't want

[ChevyChevelle70]

Agreed, I learned first hand that power washers and engine bays don't belong together. Mess up seals and sensors.

[MeanGreen95]

Do it with a garden hose IMO. Use a degreaser and aggitate it with a wet brush. Rinse off with the engine running (warm only). After it dries, apply some dressing to plastics if you want it to be shiny.

[Jetway]

The best under hood degreaser I've found is standard kitchen oven cleaner. Just spray it on the engine, drive to the carwash or around the block, and spray it off. Awesome stuff! Just be very careful not to get it on the paint!