My engine bay!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
I purchased my veh from a 2nd owner CPO, he spent lots of $ w Lexus keeping the car up but was not a gearhead like me and the underhood was neglected. I removed the covers at the pre sale insp. and knew right off that I was looking at 70K miles of driving with no attention under the hood.
No problem as the maintenance records vouched that the car was mech maintained. I got it home and the very next day I spent about 2 hours making her look like I wanted her to.
BLUF its a personal thing. I couldn't own a veh. and not maintain under the hood. U can use cleaners as long as all residue is taken off with clean rinse water and whats left standing I use LOW press. compressed air to deal with that...
No problem as the maintenance records vouched that the car was mech maintained. I got it home and the very next day I spent about 2 hours making her look like I wanted her to.
BLUF its a personal thing. I couldn't own a veh. and not maintain under the hood. U can use cleaners as long as all residue is taken off with clean rinse water and whats left standing I use LOW press. compressed air to deal with that...
The only cleaner I would use and have used is the one made by Griots garage.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...e=&from=Search
There are a lot of cleaners that can cause corrosion which will only make bolt removal difficult because they will go out of round.
There is no benefit to clean an engine if it's just dusty but if there is grime on it then it is warranted after the main cause is addressed. Even air drying with a compressor will still leave behind mineral deposits.
One thing i would never do especially with these newer cars is use a power washer on the engine bay.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
What I've been doing for 35 years+ is spraying my COLD engines down with water from a hose, then applying an engine cleaner (there are lots of them out there). Let it sit for 5-10 mins and rinsing it all down. When it's dry, I apply a protectant and leave it. After a day or so, I then wipe it all down. I use the cheapest protectant I can find and save the 303 AP for more important and UV exposed areas.
As to WHY......it's more than just esthetics. I enjoy servicing and repairing a clean engine. "Ship Shape" as it were. Or aircraft clean. Attention to detail. It also allows to see any leaks developing, such as coolant, oil or even carbon traces from a bad seal somewhere (exhaust etc).
It's how I roll.
As to WHY......it's more than just esthetics. I enjoy servicing and repairing a clean engine. "Ship Shape" as it were. Or aircraft clean. Attention to detail. It also allows to see any leaks developing, such as coolant, oil or even carbon traces from a bad seal somewhere (exhaust etc).
It's how I roll.
wow, that's an intimidating engine bay
I love the clean look of the engine covers but its nice to take them off and give it a thorough cleaning from time to time.
I prefer the old school method of a spray bottle, toothbrush and a few rags.
I finish off with a nice lubricant oil for the places prone to rusting and oxidizing, and for the plastics I just use a meguirs plastic+rubber product.
Nothing fancy but it works well
I love the clean look of the engine covers but its nice to take them off and give it a thorough cleaning from time to time.
I prefer the old school method of a spray bottle, toothbrush and a few rags.
I finish off with a nice lubricant oil for the places prone to rusting and oxidizing, and for the plastics I just use a meguirs plastic+rubber product.
Nothing fancy but it works well
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