Leenders Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Hey everyone, Last year around this time we purchased our then brand new 2013 DJ ... It was probably the last time I opened the hood myself. Well today after doing some exterior detailing on it, I popped the hood to swap in some hyper white headlights to find a disgusting engine bay. Ugh. I want to clean it, but with all the electrical components I'm kind of nervous about spraying soap and water on it. It's really just dusty and has oil drips from the lazy mechanics that handled the oil changes, no heavy grime. I've watched a few youtube videos but the procedures vary from power washing it down, to spraying degreaser all over it and misting it off .... Any tips on which areas of the bay to avoid or even cover? Any tricks I could use to get a fresh looking bay again? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey_SeXT Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 (edited) I would strongly suggest if you have never done an engine shampoo before go to a professional and save yourself the aggravation or potential to cause any damage to electrical components. If you still feel the need to do this yourself then this this youtube clip is a great tutorial as it does the rinsing with the engine running. With the engine running is a good method because if engine sounds like it is going to stall while using the water to rinse then you know to keep off that part of the engine avoiding any damage. Edited May 11, 2014 by Journey_SeXT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtsr Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 The large engine cover just lifts straight up and off so it can be cleaned out the engine bay. The secret is to not let it get to this point by wiping it down semi annually at least , I pop the cover off and use a damp rag quarterly. Looks as if you work in a quarry or went for a dip in Fanshawe Lake. rolly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenders Posted May 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 My wife used to communte down country roads. Lots of dust ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apellefigliodapollo Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 and... what about painting in red the engine cpver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtsr Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I would suggest you could paint the cover and if done properly with lets say KRYLON plastic specific paint it would be easier to maintain it with regards to dust/dirt removal. I have seen many painted covers at car meets some of which cost $500-$1000 for custom colour/graphics. The factory finish is a dust magnet without a doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 You went a year without ever opening the hood? 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appalachian Journey Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Spray detailer and a roll of thick paper towels or some old rags. Avoid spraying the cowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobitz68 Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Honestly, I would take off the cover and cover any electrical areas with tinfoil or plastic. The biggest areas of concern would be the TIPM and the alternator. After that rinse it with water (NOT HIGH PRESSURE) and then soak everything in your cleaner of choice. It sounds more like dirt than oil and engine grime, so you probably don't need a hard core degreaser, but there are plenty of products to choose from. Scrub everything with a soft bristle brush, rinse again and blow off the engine with compressed air (if you don't have compressed air, lightly drying everything with a towel would be just fine). Clean and re install the cover and you're done. Journey_SeXT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 I'd also do some basic maintenance while your in there if it has been that long since you opened the hood and checked anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenders Posted May 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Thanks for the tips guys. I was kind of exaggerating when I said I hadn't opened it in a year ... but it's dealer maintained and I barely ever drove it until now. No need really to open the hood I guess. I'll snap an after pic when all done. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) I wash my engine every time I wash the Journey , just soap and water from garden hose . Never had any problems and have done this with all my vehicles . Edited May 13, 2014 by Bubba jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) I wash my engine every time I wash the Journey , just soap and water from garden hose . Never had any problems and have done this with all my vehicles . Same here. Never had a problem. Only time I ever did have a problem with washing engines was my camaro when I soaked the optispark (distributor) and ruined it. The thing costs $250 to replace and mounted behind the water pump (stupid design), you can imagine what it takes to replace it, especially on the 3rd gen Camaros with the LT1. Everything had to be done from underneath. Your engine will thank you for it. Runs cooler without all that junk built up on it, increases resale value, plus you dont get all greasy and dirty if you have to work on it. Edited May 14, 2014 by jkeaton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 I always say a clean engine is a happy engine ,when we sold my wife`s old 2003 SX 2.0 two years ago the people that bought it could not believe how clean it was under the hood , still looked new . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenders Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hey guys, So I finally got around to giving the engine a good cleaning. I took the advice above with some tips from youtube and it turned out great. Night and day difference. Thanks everyone! BEFORE AFTER Journey_SeXT and rolly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Now, keep it that way.... : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey_SeXT Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Wow, that looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenders Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 It honestly looks like new! I'm on top of it now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey_SeXT Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 If I am seeing correctly the coolant looks a little low....especially in the before picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leenders Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hmmm...nice catch. I'll go check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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