Cleaning, Detailing under the hood.

[Buddy's Ram]

I periodically clean under the hood. I like to keep the plastic valve cover, the air filter box, the Apps plastic cover, and the fuse, relay center covers fairly clean, as well as all of the handles one touches when doing routine checks. (Oil, transmission, brake fluid,washer fluid etc). It just looks nice and keeps the hands clean when you need to check things and don't have a good hand cleaner handy. What do other people do? If any techs are reading this, what would you like for us to keep clean, or are there benefits to keep certain parts under the hood clean other than what I have mentioned. I know some trucks go off road, or over the road and don't stop long enough to do this, but my truck has had a fairly easy life at 217,000 miles and I enjoy keeping it presentable.

Buddy

 

[RVTRKN]

When I clean mine, and its been awhile, i use compressed air to blow out any heavy pools of water where you have an electrical issue. When I cleaned my gasser for the first time, moisture accumulated in the distributor cap and it wouldn't start. Sinse then I have used compressed air when done. BTW, I use Gunk spray to clean with.

 

[SierraRam]

I agree I try to keep my engine compartment clean. I uses a pressure washer, then air to blow off remaining water. Once completely dry I use a trim detailer spray and the engine compartment looks like new. I am one of those type "A" people!

 

[Bill Stockard]

I agree I try to keep my engine compartment clean. I uses a pressure washer, then air to blow off remaining water. Once completely dry I use a trim detailer spray and the engine compartment looks like new.

Yep, I too use my pressure washer and dry it with an electric leaf blower.



Bill

 

[JJPage]

I use Simple Green. Saturate with a good mist or stream in some hard to reach areas, let it set around 10 minutes and rinse with an ordinary water hose. I'm not sure I would use a pressure washer with all the electronics, but obviously some folks are without issues.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I use Simple Green. Saturate with a good mist or stream in some hard to reach areas, let it set around 10 minutes and rinse with an ordinary water hose. I'm not sure I would use a pressure washer with all the electronics, but obviously some folks are without issues.

My pressure washer produces 2400-psi and I'm careful where I point the wand. I use the widest nozzle available which helps reduce the 'blast" which forces water into electrical components/connections. I also use it to keep my wife's Honda clean under the hood along with cleaning my tractors and other power equipment. So far (knock on wood), I haven't had any problems.



Bill

 

[RVTRKN]

I use Simple Green. Saturate with a good mist or stream in some hard to reach areas, let it set around 10 minutes and rinse with an ordinary water hose. I'm not sure I would use a pressure washer with all the electronics, but obviously some folks are without issues.

I would be careful with simple green, it cleans cast aluminum great, but if left on, in places you don't see, it pits the cast and turns it black. I have used it before on cast aluminum and know the pit falls of it.

 

[Buddy's Ram]

While I have cleaned the engine compartment with a hose, and simple green; what I do most of the time is simply wipe down the area that can be seen or rubbed up against with an Armorall cleaning wipe. Places like the femder well that is under the hood and only seen when the hood is raised. Removing dust/dirt from the hood struts, and the hood hinge area. I see these things and like to keep them clean. I also clean the area between the doors and body around the door hinges this way.

 

[RDThompson]

Some time back I used a pressure washer to remove some fuel that spilled when my filter got away from me. Apparently I soaked the ABS cables and as a result had a couple codes and operating issues crop up. They all cleared once everything dried out though. Just something to be mindful about.

 

[RBellah]

Does it run better when the engine is clean or is it just imaginary?

 

[goodguys75]

Does it run better when the engine is clean or is it just imaginary?

just like new, and faster too

 

[Bill Stockard]

Some time back I used a pressure washer to remove some fuel that spilled when my filter got away from me. Apparently I soaked the ABS cables and as a result had a couple codes and operating issues crop up. They all cleared once everything dried out though. Just something to be mindful about.

Yep, that's why I'm careful where I aim the nozzle and use a wide spread output tip which is the lowest pressure tip available on my pressure washer. I've never had that happen on any vehicle engine bay I've pressure washed... so far.



Bill

 

[JJPage]

Does it run better when the engine is clean or is it just imaginary?

..... ? I find that I appreciate all of my possessions a great deal more when they are clean. I am also aware that in the real world, more than 50% of the population have not the self respect or fortitude to practice cleanliness...

 

[crispyboy]

..... ? I find that I appreciate all of my possessions a great deal more when they are clean. I am also aware that in the real world, more than 50% of the population have not the self respect or fortitude to practice cleanliness...

Agree with this 100%.

Keeping things clean is like a preventative maintenance where you can spot problems before they arise and make it easier to spot oil leaks, corroded battery's etc... . Keeping up with things is cheap insurance for reliability and beats the hell out of being stranded along the side of the road.

 

[Buddy's Ram]

One of the things that makes me proud to own a Cummins is the fact that I have no leaks or drips on the driveway. I had one when the water pump went south, but that was an easy fix!

 

[WCPoe]

I use Simple Green. Saturate with a good mist or stream in some hard to reach areas, let it set around 10 minutes and rinse with an ordinary water hose. I'm not sure I would use a pressure washer with all the electronics, but obviously some folks are without issues.

Same here------> Simple Green on cold engine, rinse well with garden hose and sometimes I follow with a cycle product like S100 or HondaBrite and rinse again. The cycle products have corrosion inhibitors, protect the metal, rubber and plastics.
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I usually dry with the leaf blower and often follow up with either Motul Shine & Go or other type cycle product designed to treat plastics and rubber to keep them from drying out and looking chaulky white. The cycle products are paint safe. I discovered these products helped on ATV cleanups after mud riding.
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Just my 2 cents.

 

[EMAC2]

Anyone have before and after pictures?

 

[cojhl2]

..... ? I find that I appreciate all of my possessions a great deal more when they are clean. I am also aware that in the real world, more than 50% of the population have not the self respect or fortitude to practice cleanliness...

It's interesting, in the early 60's I hauled sweetcorn from the field to the plant for Green Giant.



While the other drivers were not particular about the looks of their trucks (we had 10 identical GMCs) I always kept mine clean especially inside the cab.



Here is the interesting part: All trucks were left loaded(50,000+ GVW) at the plant each evening. Plant workers would then unload them during the night and that required driving them.



According to the unloaders, my truck always was the best running and the most powerfull!!!



All these trucks were new and exactly the same,, conclusion: it had to be because my dash,seat, and windshield were clean.

 

[rbattelle]

I generally clean my engine compartment twice a year: once in the spring and once in the late summer. This routine has kept the engine fairly clean with very little effort.

I clean it when I know I will not use it for at least 24 hours and it's not scheduled to rain. After the engine sits overnight to cool down, I wash it in the morning using Simple Green and a garden hose at low pressure, being careful where I point the nozzle to avoid sensitive connectors or electronics. When finished with the water, I usually soak up excess water with a rag around the fuel filter canister and the fuel rail.

Then I leave the hood open for as much of the day as possible. I don't attempt to start or drive the truck until the next morning at the earliest. This is to help ensure everything is as dry as possible.

This routine is not difficult or even time consuming.

-Ryan