robert miller

How do you guys clean your car under the hood please. Do you clean with a water hose. Are just a wet rag & that.

PLUS IF YOU DID USE A WATER HOSE DID YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS ON ELEC PLUGS AFTER.

Patman

I think with most modern cars the safest way to clean the engine bay is with a soft rag and some degreaser like Spray Nine. I'd be very careful about spraying any high pressure water for sure!

Red C8 of Jax

Maybe a damp towel using water and if it is real dirty use Simple Green. I would never use a water hose. I have always used a damp towel.

gmanflying

I agree, I use a rag and degreaser. I have seen people use a pump sprayer with the engine running to help dry it quickly. They didn’t seem to have a problem but it’s still risky to me.

joemessman

I would echo what Red c6 of Jax stated:
"Maybe a damp towel using water and if it is real dirty use Simple Green. I would never use a water hose. I have always used a damp towel."
My engine compartment is spotless using just water and occasional Simple Green. I use different little brushes and sticks that get to the hard to reach cracks and areas. I do it about every 2 months or so. Takes me about 15 minutes.

dvilin

Damp towel, never a water hose.

robert miller

Guys think for the info here only it really needs a like a water hose spray down is why I was asking on this.

I just got done doing a z51 to a z06 body panel chg out on the car. Plus wasn't thinking here & pulled the stock hood off & putting a C.F. high rise hood on the car. With me cutting & grinding the door panels out to put the new z06 one's in the car it got really bad

So I will be taking a few hours to blow it off & water & soaping it down to get it back to like new. I made a post on it but will post pic's in it when I get the new wheels done by this weekend here....Thanks again Robert

Billy346

I have a pretty good system for cleaning the LS1 in my 1998 Camaro SS. I usually wash it before I have driven it for the day, so the engine and everything connected to it is still cold. I start it up and pull it out into the driveway and cut the engine so it stays cold. Then, I spray the whole engine bay down with simple green, let it sit for 30 seconds or so, then hose it down with a garden hose with a spray nozzle. I might add that I'm not particularly careful where I spray, and I keep spraying until all of the residue from the simple green is gone. After that, I use a rag or hand towel to dry off the excess water, then close the hood and wash the rest of the car. By the time I've washed and waxed the remainder of the car, the engine has air dried. I would like to stress that you should only wash the engine bay like this when the engine is COLD. If you spray the simple green onto the engine while it is hot, it will etch in to the aluminum heads and make it look like you have corrosion issues. Also, make sure you COMPLETELY hose the engine off until there are NO suds running off. I've been doing it since 2001 when I bought the car. I've never had a problem and the engine bay still looks new at almost 20 years old. I get compliments on it all the time. When it comes time to clean the engine on my Corvette, I'll do the same thing.

ya3coub

I once had that when I wash jacked the car everything,

It's just until everything drys next morning the car was riding smooth and as if nothing happened.

it was giving less response and jerking like a miss fire, the guy sprayed that jet water all in the hood and since then it's just normal non pressurized water or detailing.

papillion

Who opens your hood to see your clean engine?

Scruff Vette

Wipe it thoroughly with a damp rag every time I wash it.

madrob2020

Your method for your '98 would work very well (not many computers on 98s). However, these cars have an enormous variety of computers/electronic gizmos, some that are even energized (tiny amount) even when car is off. So many posters have had troubles where when the dealer worked on one area of electrics, suddenly another began acting up. Again, I completely agree on the '98, but would be really nervous about wetting down the entire engine bay. JMHO

ya3coub

I do,
I don't do the cleaning my self but I always open my hood just to check after every track day, or even a long/ hard driving.

It's hot in this part of the world and I just love seeing my engine bay clean.

there are loads of cars that have a clean exterior/interior but a dusty engine bay.

Glenmcp

Damp towel. There should not be a lot of grease under your hood. I use a clean paint brush to get at sand in tiny places.

Kevin A Jones

No hose/water. Just soft rags and any number of cleaners will work.
I use a little Windex as it cleans/de-greases however's not too harsh like some de-greasers. You don't want to risk removing paint or dis-coloring anything.
The secret is to spend a few minutes fairly often to avoid having to spend A LOT time trying to remove grease/grime build-up.

GTFD2

I use my air compressor to blow off any loose dust or dirt. Then Griots waterless wash and soft towel to wipe it down. I do this about every third wash.

Maxie2U

I do.