Cleaning engine bay
 

Hey folks,

I just grabbed a can of Wurth's engine degreaser and a new hose with a spray head, and I'm getting ready to clean the ol' engine bay. I was wondering if any of you posting those gorgeous dressed-up engine bay pics here and in the gallery had tips for me. I know to aluminum foil anything that is a sensor, spark plug wire, fuse box or electric motor/generator, but what else should I cover? Has anyone done a Subaru-specific step-by-step that I can check out?

Oh, and is it a problem if my intake hose and radiator hose have turned light grey, even though they are supposed to be black? I just noticed this a few days ago when checking my oil.

Check subaruforester.com and I belive it was throughougly discussed there.

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, reading those discussions didn't help much; half of them were horror stories of how people destroyed their engines and how you shouldn't use degreaser because it strips off the engine's factory protection; the other half were saying just hit it with a high-pressure hose, nothing bad ever happens.

What I would really like to see is a picture of an engine bay with all the sensitive components covered in foil, so that I know what to protect if and when I do clean the engine...

I think I'm going to check with the dealer first and see if I am getting into any warranty trouble.

I used a citric-based de-greaser and diluted it about 50/50.

I misted on engine and accessories when engine was stone cold.
I let it sit about 5 minutes then misted it off with a garden sprayer. Notice that I said "misted."

Immediately, I used compressed air to dry everything thoroughly, then fired engine up and took car for a long drive.

I repeat this about every 4 months, no problems.

the only things that you really need to protect, are the battery terminals and the alternator. When i washed my engine bay I just put plastic bags over them. All the wires are pretty much waterproof, as long as they are not exposed and you don't directly spray them. It is best to wash the engine bay when it has cooled down and then to dry it, take it for a drive.

i just clean my engine yesterday, including serph, and rac3w1thm3 too.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by jimr [/i]
[B]I used a citric-based de-greaser and diluted it about 50/50.

I misted on engine and accessories when engine was stone cold.
I let it sit about 5 minutes then misted it off with a garden sprayer. Notice that I said "misted."

Immediately, I used compressed air to dry everything thoroughly, then fired engine up and took car for a long drive.

I repeat this about every 4 months, no problems. [/B][/QUOTE]

This is good advice. I know people who pressure-wash their engine at 160 PSI or steam-clean it with 400-degree pressurized steam; your approach seems much less likely to cause a critical problem.

I've always covered up battery and alternator. Then sprayed some water on it. Then sprayed some simple green. Waited a few mins or so, then washed it off. I got a rag and wiped up a few spots, then took the car out for a drive. I normally do this when the engine is warm.

Here is a pic of my painted red engine bay, she looks good all shined up real nice. Cheers

[url]https://www.i-club.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1650&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=500[/url]

WRX Rush

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by WRX Rush [/i]
[B]Here is a pic of my painted red engine bay, she looks good all shined up real nice. Cheers

[url]https://www.i-club.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1650&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=500[/url]

WRX Rush [/B][/QUOTE]

It is nice, but you didn't tell me how you got it so clean...

:p

wow thats a sweet pic. nice job

Oh sorry, just a rag with some water and on the hard to reach areas some ultra soft pipe cleaners. Cheers

WRX Rush