Hi All
I have a JK unlimited about 6 months, 9000 Kms old. Been mudding about 5-6 times and the mud has coated the engine. Tried to hose it off but a fine layer of mud doesnt want to get off specially from the hoses and plastics. I dont want to use the high pressure jet on the engine bay. Can some one tell me a way to clean the engine bay.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Mani

You aint jeepin unless u get bogged

 

I used simple green on a cold engine and just washed it off. looks like new.

 

simple green and i'd use some decent pressure

 

i spray mine at the car wash all the time i just put a plastic bag over the alternator and the coil pack and a rag in the air intake and be careful with any electrical. NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!!!!!!!!

 

Don't put the power washer at full spray. I can adjust mine to a lighter spray and brush off the dirt and grime instead of chizle the metal off. I havent used chemicals yet.

 

Simple green plus the bristle brush I use on the soft top to get at the really stained plastics and hoses. Rinse, then finish off with a coat of 303.

 

simple green and a brush. be sure to start the engine after you hose it off and let it idle for about 10-15 minutes so it can dry all the water around the electrical connections

 

How to wash if you have a Supercharger installed??

 

Uh, just drive it 100mph?! Duh!

 

I actually paid a company $50 to come detail my engine compartment on my 2005 TJ. It literally took him about 15 minutes to finish the engine compartment. I couldn't believe it. He wanted to clean the rest of my car too as that was suppose to be part of the $50 package, but I had already done the outside and didn't need him to. He felt bad about it taking so little time I think.

All he did was start the engine, spray it down with a pressure washer, then he sprayed some sort of cleaner/degreaser (he claimed they pay a local chemist to create it specifically for them, but I still say it's just simple green or something similar). He let the cleaner sit on the running engine for about 5 minutes, and then he pressure washed it again. After that last rinse with the pressure washer he uses a long handled sponge to apply some sort of engine and hose dressing (like armor all or something) to all the hoses and wires.

- He left the engine running the whole time until it came time to cleaning
- He didn't cover any wires or electrical component at all... only the air filter.
- He used full up pressure on his pressure washer

I asked about spraying water all over the engine like that while the car was running. He said that these newer cars all have sealed connections. He simply avoids spraying the alternator and the air intake directly or for long amounts of time, but that's it. He also said using a pressure washer isn't like using a garden hose and that it's considerably less water. The engine came out AWESOME and no electrical issues at all.

I did it myself the next time to my 04 Xterra. First I covered the air filter with a loose plastic bag, then I started the engine and sprayed it down with my pressure washer. I then sprayed the entire compartment down with Purple Power and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then I hit it with the pressure washer again. I didn't need to take a soft bristle brush to anything, but I didn't go mudding in my Xterra either. I avoided spraying the alternator directly, but that was it. I didn't cover anything up, and I sprayed everything else that needed cleaned to include the battery. I then used the engine dressing spray I found at Autozone. It comes in a can. You spray it on the entire engine. The metal, hoses, wire, everything. The directions on the engine dressing said to drive for 15 minutes afterwards to help the dressing dry. My engine compartment came out beautiful with zero issues. Looked just like a professional job. The before and after shots were just night and day. Unless you have an older classic automobile I honestly wouldn't worry too much about pressure washing your engine compartment. Just be careful around the air filter and alternator as others have mentioned. I believe the rest of the wiring will be fine.