What's the best method to clean the engine/engine compartment? I see everyone's pics with spotless engine compartments. I always hestitate to clean with a high pressure washer and it takes forever to clean all out all the nooks and crannys (no, not the english muffins, the engine compartment).

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1999 F-150 Lariat, 5.4, 3.55 Ratio, Deep Wedgewood/Gold, Tan Leather interior, LineX bedliner, NO DOOR CRACKS.

 

Hey... I wash my truck engine once a month and the under side of the hood... with just soap (car washing liquid) and water. and let me air dry... then go back with a towel after it as all dryed and wipe off the water spots... Perfect... I don't use an engine degreaser.

99' Ford F150 XL Sport (Black)
V-6 3.55 manual

 

I use Gunk(r) and the garden hose -- and finish it off with a CleanShower(r) generic equivalent.

 

I clean mine with a slightly warm engine spray the engine with the garden hose then super clean all over..let it sit for like 10 min. then wipe off really dirty stuff ,then the hose again..once you have a clean engine it's easier to keep it clean!!!! don't let it go too long.....
[img]//www.zing.com/picture/p7e75fb1d1711567827cb17fe6dc9b407/ff884f23.jpg[/img]

 

I wash our engine with a power washer at the local do-it-yourself car wash. I leave the engine running and only use full force on certain areas and try to stay away from alternator, exposed wiring, etc. Truck sees a lot of dusty roads, so its a good alternative for me. Once its at home and cool, I usually go back with a couple of rags and touch up areas that I couldn't hit hard. ROUSHFAN is right, once its clean, its easy to keep it that way!

Later

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'97 F-250 LD

 

Wow RoushFan,
How do you get your engine so shiny... sure mine is very clean but it don't shine like that!

 

Simple Green...it won't tarnish anything like chrome etc. Spray it on...let it sit for a few mins..then just rinse it off..allow engine to dry...and towel off any pooling water....then spray your favorite tire shine/dash protector over it and allow it to air dry...you'll be impressed.

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1999 Brt Red XLT F-150 Ext Cab Flareside Sport pkg:4.6L, 3.55 gears, keyless entry, cd, tinted windows, K&N, Gibson Super Truck,Superchip,
Ventshade wind deflectors,Herculiner, Lund X-terminator bugshield, Kenwood Speakers, CDC front fascia w/fog lights

 

I use Simple Green. Stuff is environmentally safe and one of the best cleaners you'll ever use and it won't harm aluminum, alloys, paint, plastics or rubber. When I can't find mine, it's cause my wife has it using it to clean inside the house. You can buy in nearly anywhere. Just spray it on the engine, use a mild brush on any heavy grease, let it sit a couple minutes and hose it off. Ask any Corvette owner. It's the only stuff they'll use on those precious alloy wheels and engines. Safe for fiberglass too. It'll take of road grime and tar without taking off your wax.

 

Pinesol, Mr Clean, or any other multipurpose houshold cleaner that is around
It don't shine like ROUSHFAN's, but it is clean.

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96 F150 XL,special
Air/PS/PB/AM-FM-Cass/
Light Package/300 I6/
5 SP Man/...
Nothing fancy just my little baby

 

Never thought of Simple Green - that stuff simply (duh) disolves that aluminum trail that runs down the side of travel trailers from the aluminum roofing.