Detail the Engine Bay

[Lefty]

Just thought I would share this with you...

Those tried and true ways of cleaning the engine bay may not be as good for newer cars and trucks. Folks once drove to the parts store, buy a couple cans of degreaser, and spray clean the engine. Maybe that's a great start, especially if there is a lot of gunk. Some also go to the the do-it-yourself car wash where there's a setting just for cleaning the engine.

I don't really recommend doing either to today's modern counterparts which have so many more sensors and electronic connections. Also. spraying cold water on a hot engine poses can be hard on gaskets and seals.

I use rubbing alcohol instead. washing with a rag, sometimes paper towels, a couple different size paint brushes, or Q-tips. Rubbing alcohol is less likely to affect electrical parts, but there is also water in it. Pure alcohol is even better for certain places. Just make sure to allow time for evaporation before restarting.

I work in the sunlight and look at the motor from every possible angle. When all is clean, I use Meguiar's tire black to put a shine on everything. Maybe it will even moisten some of the rubber bits. Mequiar's lasts longer than Armor All.

Cleaning the bay takes about an hour.

Last of all, look up at the hood liner. Mine is filthy. I'm going to the boneyard next and pick up another. By the way, Ford uses a fiber which should not be washed with alcohol. I'm still not sure exactly how to clean it. Maybe remove it and spray with fabric dye or even bedliner, keeping in mind that too much could be a fire hazard.

Rubbing alcohol is also good for removing stubborn stains from upholstery. It also cleans glass and mirrors without leaving water marks.

My thoughts anyway. How about you? How do you get yours ship shape?

 

[19Walt93]

I do it a little differently. I gut the engine bay and start from scratch.

 

[Lefty]

Sweet! So many newer engines are nowhere near as pretty. And, yes, it's nicely detailed too.

 

[Lefty]

Sweet! So many gen II engines are nowhere near as pretty as this. You can actually see the engine! And, yes, it's nicely detailed too.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Deleted. No idea why I posted what I did...

 

[Patriot1]

Just thought I would share this with you...

Those tried and true ways of cleaning the engine bay may not be as good for newer cars and trucks. Folks once drove to the parts store, buy a couple cans of degreaser, and spray clean the engine. Maybe that's a great start, especially if there is a lot of gunk. Some also go to the the do-it-yourself car wash where there's a setting just for cleaning the engine.

I don't really recommend doing either to today's modern counterparts which have so many more sensors and electronic connections. Also. spraying cold water on a hot engine poses can be hard on gaskets and seals.

I use rubbing alcohol instead. washing with a rag, sometimes paper towels, a couple different size paint brushes, or Q-tips. Rubbing alcohol is less likely to affect electrical parts, but there is also water in it. Pure alcohol is even better for certain places. Just make sure to allow time for evaporation before restarting.

I work in the sunlight and look at the motor from every possible angle. When all is clean, I use Meguiar's tire black to put a shine on everything. Maybe it will even moisten some of the rubber bits. Mequiar's lasts longer than Armor All.

Cleaning the bay takes about an hour.

Last of all, look up at the hood liner. Mine is filthy. I'm going to the boneyard next and pick up another. By the way, Ford uses a fiber which should not be washed with alcohol. I'm still not sure exactly how to clean it. Maybe remove it and spray with fabric dye or even bedliner, keeping in mind that too much could be a fire hazard.

Rubbing alcohol is also good for removing stubborn stains from upholstery. It also cleans glass and mirrors without leaving water marks.

My thoughts anyway. How about you? How do you get yours ship shape?

Do the push pins that hold the insulated hood liner come out easily when removing the insulated hood liner? I am thinking about removing my hood liner to further clean the hood area. Did you have to buy new push pins to reinstall the insulation? Thoughts appreciated,
Thanks!

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Just the outside gets a rinse once in awhile...when it rains.

Actually I blow it off with the air compressor sometimes if I gotta crack it open.

 

[rumblecloud]

Do the push pins that hold the insulated hood liner come out easily when removing the insulated hood liner? I am thinking about removing my hood liner to further clean the hood area. Did you have to buy new push pins to reinstall the insulation? Thoughts appreciated,
Thanks!

They do come out easily, but use care. A flat blade screwdriver will work but a trim tool is better. They are replaceable and you can buy new ones from pretty much any auto store.

 

[Patriot1]

They do come out easily, but use care. A flat blade screwdriver will work but a trim tool is better. They are replaceable and you can buy new ones from pretty much any auto store.

View attachment 84906

Thank you!

 

[Lefty]

Do the push pins that hold the insulated hood liner come out easily when removing the insulated hood liner? I am thinking about removing my hood liner to further clean the hood area. Did you have to buy new push pins to reinstall the insulation? Thoughts appreciated,
Thanks!

You can use those trim tools but if you try to pry those "pins" off, you run the risk of breaking the hood liner. I know. I've tried. I've even used a piece of cardboard to protect it. i still got damage.

So I made my own little tool which looks a lot like a garrote, a 12 in length of heavy string with a short handle on either end. Wind the string around the shaft of the plastic "pin" ...and give it a good, hard pull.

You need not replace those old pins by doing it this way. You can use them again

The original hood liner is no longer available. Aftermarket replacements are expensive. The originals can't be duplicated very well. It's hard to find a decent one in the junkyard. They seem to get brittle with age. You might notice that it is sculpted to fit. This attachment shows my "new" old headliner pulled at the junkyard, cleaned with baking soda and painted with a flat black high temp engine enamel in a spray can. It's a little dusty right now, but otherwise looks rather new, none the worse for wear.