I see lots of posts about keeping the outside clean and shiny, but what about the engine compartment? I have been thinking about giving my '05 F150 5.4L a good bath (when it gets dirty enough).

I looked in the owners manual and they have some items to cover up when spraying water. Any other things to be careful about getting water on? I always wash the engine when it's cold too.

I've always kept the engine compartments clean in vehicles I've owned in the past. You don't get quite as dirty when working under the hood

Thanks,

Scott

 

For those with modular engines I wouldn't get water on them period. I read too many horry stories. Just wipe it down with a damp rag and do it periodically. This should keep it looking good for a long time.Especially since yours is still new.

 

Don't they get wet when you drive in the rain?

 

Thanks! I've been wiping the surface areas down with a damp towel. The engine is tucked away pretty good under all the plumbing and air intake tubes etc. I was just wondering about those ignition coils sitting on top of the spark plugs. Don't know if they'd like a shot of water or not

 

A stream of water is dangerous around anything that has an electrical component built within...

A word to the wise, tape off the ultra-sensative items utilizing painter's tape or similar. Further, make sure that the cleaner that you're utilizing won't eat aluminum or similar because you'll end up irritated that everything is dulled out (there's alot of aluminum in there).

RP

 

Thanks RockPick! Hopefully, I'll never have any oil leaks and things will stay pretty clean under there

Scott

 

Try this page it has some good info

Engine Detailing

 

Thanks for the link Vader716 Some great info and I have it bookmarked,

Scott

 

I have used a steam jeanie on all of my f150s engines to keep them clean. About once a month.

I don't tape anything off I just let er fly. It could'nt be any worse that offroading and getting all the water and mud up in the engine could it?

 

My thinking is that a steam jennie would not be too bad, as long as you are careful with the pressure (don't want to force water into those sealed connectors)

My reasoning is, that the hot water would evaporate before it had a chance to pool up anywhere (i.e. coil pack boots)

I use a pressure washer fan stream to rinse mine out.

Matt

 

i wash my engine bay about once every 3 or 4 months. i just put a bag over the alternator battery, and fusebox, and my neon tubes, and spray away. i dont use high pressure though. dont wanna be blasting water where it shouldnt be. then just use diluted simple green to break up any dirt (dilute it or it will turn your plastic hoses whitish....25% SG, 75% water), let it sit 5 minutes, rinse, then blast it dry with a leaf blower. works awsome. then spray vinylex or any other WATER based protectant. this way any excess will simply evaporate, it'll leave a nice low sheen on the plastics, and it keeps dirt from sticking

 

I just used a cold water hose today to get some mud out of the engine compartment. Just dried everything as best as I could with a towel and she started and ran fine

Just a little nervous about washing a new engine with all that computer stuff in there.

Thanks again,

Scott

 

I wash the engine compartment all the time... the only rule is not to wash a hot engine because the cold water can crack the hot block.

I spray everything down with a 50/50 Simple Green and water mix and let it sit for about 15 minutes then hit it with a pressure washer on low pressure. Works well and never had a problem with the engine.

 

I wipe down my engine compartment every week,when washing the truck. i use sd-20 sprayed on a damp rag. then after, i spray the enitre engine down with wd-40,and let it sit.it keeps the engine nice,and helps prolong life of the hoses as well. and with wd-40 nothing really needs to be covered,seems how its fine with electricity.

 

I think WD-40 is safe but I heard that it will attract more dust and grime in the long run.