jdt

Popped the hood on my nx today in almost 2 years and it looks filthy. Anyone got any tips on cleaning the engine bay? I've never done this before and after some research online I'm not too sure if I want to hose down the engine with water. Do lexus dealers offer engine bay cleaning?

DiscoMnky

iTrader: (1)

Cover the battery and alternator with plastic bags. Only use low pressure water (NO pressure washer). Rinse engine bay. Spray some engine degreaser of your choice. Agitate with a soft/med bristle brush like for cleaning wheels. Then rinse off. Dry off as much as you can with a chamois or towel. Use some trim detailer on the plastics after it is completely dry. I do this to all of my cars once a year. It is perfectly safe.

DampDuffer

....or you can take your car to the local detailer and save all the muss and fuss. Also, the detailer will/should have the equipment to capture the pollutants that come from washing the engine and keep them from polluting the ground water.

My detailer charges me US $50 to make the engine pristine again, and all the runoff is captured IAW EPA standards.

Lazerboy

Here some very very good tips, I used this myself and I recommend it.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

How to Detail Your Engine Bay by Todd Cooperrider

XSV

iTrader: (1)

Just because your detailer charges $50 doesn't mean his local detailer will charge the same price. Cleaning the engine bay is simple. Remove any plastic coverings and clean them with whatever interior cleaner you use. Cover the battery and alternator with a plastic bag (I've never do it). Lightly spray down the engine bay with water being careful not to spray directly at one area for too long. Spray one some degreaser (I use the natural orange stuff). Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then use a brush to clean the bay (I use the ez clean wheel brushes because they they get into small areas. Then rinse off all the dirt and use a leaf blower to dry the engine bay (optional).

winglesss

+1 for existing information.

When I wash, I use regular car soap w/ mitt, light fresh water rinse and towel dry.