Scotty, I've seen lots of YouTubers who use scrubbing bubbles and spray their engine bay then power wash it clean. I'm always afraid to do that but my engine bay is really dirty. Is it safe to do their method or do you have any suggestions?
you can do it, but gently, and by hand one area at a time with a rag or scrub brush. Avoid electrical things. Don't use high pressure, huge amounts of water, or strong chemicals. I would use something like dish soap.
Agree 100% - what's worked for me on a bunch of different cars and bikes is to only spray cleaners on the paper towel/rag, not on the parts to be cleaned unless absolutely necessary. Takes longer, but never had an electrical problem afterwards.
Don't use a pressure washer. Water and electronics don't mix, and the high pressure will force the water in places you don't want it to go. When I was doing car shows, I'd prep the engine bay with a bucket of soapy water and rinse bucket and bunch of towels, wet enough to do the job, but not soaking wet to sling water. Do small areas at a time, and very careful when you get near any electrical parts and connectors etc. like @mountainmanjoe mentions.
Scrubbing bubbles works too well. First time I cleaned my project car engine bay it was legit a night and day different, that being said, I did it all by hand and would never pressure wash an engine bay. Also since it do be a cleaning agent you want to make sure that all your hoses and stuff are not affected too heavily. Rinse them down with a wet cloth after scrubbing bubbles to make sure it doesn't eat it away. Of course be wary of your electrical stuff and intakes as well. It took me a good 3 hours to do mine, if it's any reference, I have a e30 so that's a relatively small car engine bay to work on.
I can barely find anything about how to properly clean my engine bay on my 1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue I'm very scared to be honest. I inherited it in 2013 when my grandma passed away. I really just want to keep her in good shape, the car only has 97,000 miles on her. The little things have been giving problems like the horn stopped working the windshield wipers work when they want to. By the way I checked the fuses and they all look good. I'm at lost with ideas with this car but really want to KEEP her and to get it back somewhat ok so I can drive it and go around my little town. Please any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Also I am not a mechanic at all. When I was little I would watch my dad work on cars and maybe hand him a tool if it was the right one (but usually not)
I'm very happy to drive this car but my coworkers and some family make fun of me driving it and some are embarrassed of me driving it, but I honestly don't care what people think of my car. I know who I am,and that it has an amazing background in my opinion which all the matters to me. I just don't have the money or the for sure know how to accomplish what I want. I honestly would not mind my grandma's car being the last car that I ever drive. I know eventually I will have to give her up to go to something more efficient but I want that to be when I say so. PLEASE SCOTTY or anyone else that may steer me in a direction for help again it will be Appreciated. THANK YOU!
With the engine off and cooled down, I would just get a rag and wipe the surfaces/parts clean.
what about steam cleaning?
that used to be a common thing
