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Cleaning Engine Bay

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Old 09-08-2011, 03:55 PM
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Question Cleaning Engine Bay

Ok so I would like to detail the engine bay on my 2000 XJ and I seen another person who did this in there "build thread" I was just going to PM that person and ask them however I am open to suggestions from the community. I know it's probably not a good idea to power wash the engine bay so what would be the best way to go about doing this such as cleaners, etc I am open to idea thanks in advance!

Old 09-08-2011, 07:25 PM
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I've power washed my engine bay before and no problem arouse. I've also used purple power and an engine degreaser, I recommend the purple power because it can clean everything, and not just the engine block.
Old 09-08-2011, 07:39 PM
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Purple Power will also frig up your paint royally! Last time I detailed my engine (few weeks back) I cut my purple power to about 10% and it STILL screwed up the paint on the inside of my hood. It says right on it not to use it on certain things, etc., so FOLLOW THE DIRECTION! It does work great, but it will mess stuff up too.

I dont power wash, I dont see the need (plus your engine shouldnt really be THAT covered in crud). I use as little water as possible from the hose to rinse. Purple Power does work well, no doubt, but just read the directions and know that you CAN mess up your paint, etc.
Old 09-08-2011, 09:19 PM
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I had to use the combination of purple power and a pressure washer simply because my engine bay was dirty after repeated runs through mud
Old 09-08-2011, 10:29 PM
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Thanks for the help guys I don't have any real "mud" under the hood just a bunch of road dust, etc however I would really like to clean it. I will go to my local hardware store tomorrow and see if I can't find some degreaser I doubt I will need any of real high strength.

Off topic: Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can remove surface rust?
Old 09-08-2011, 10:31 PM
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3M paint & rust stripping disc. They work great.
Old 09-08-2011, 10:39 PM
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SUPER CLEAN much stronger then that purple stuff just be careful and don't get it on the paint if you do a little wax and its like new.I keep all my engine cleans at all times.I hate working on dirty stuff....Its always worked for me and I stand behind it.I even use it on my Audi and now on my jetta....
Old 09-08-2011, 10:42 PM
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Another method for cleaning, is go to a car wash, use the tire foam on the engine, the hoses, everything, and then spray it out. Also just for the hell of it, go to auto zone, pick up some Di Electric grease, and just put in on all the plugs under the hood, water proofs, keeps them clean, helps them perform. Cheap and easy.
Old 09-09-2011, 06:37 AM
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the tech at autozone sold me GUNK engine degreaser. I covered my engine with it and let it sit for 15 mins and then with my hose attachment i set it to "gentile shower" and it is now spotless.
Old 09-09-2011, 06:57 AM
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On my 2000 I used a powerwasher and sprayed it all first with engine degreaser. I have all that purple power and other cleaners that can be mixed in with the powerwasher -basically it sicks it up and gets mixed in the sprayer.Didn't use any of them thta said would basically "eat paint" I used some cheap liquid soap after and it looks great also had no electrical probs at all. I also didn't use it on most powerful setting since it was a 3000psi and didn't spend to much time in any one place. I did it a second time a few weeks later .
Old 09-09-2011, 07:01 AM
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purple power is gonna do the trick, that and just a garden hose. clean you up real nice. it will scale that clear coat somethin terrible but,

as far as the paint goes... my rig is for go not show.
Old 09-09-2011, 12:24 PM
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When you guys did this, did any new leaks pop up? Like I really want to do mine but I have a feeling that some of the gunk may be acting as a plug.
Old 09-09-2011, 01:14 PM
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they're jeeps. are you suggesting that they are held together by the dirt on them?












you may be right
Old 09-09-2011, 06:57 PM
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I have used Engine Brite many times with no ill effects. It does remove grease. I spray it on heavy and scrub it around with a paint brush. Really cleans. I use a garden hose, not a pressure washer.
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