Quick question. I have never cleaned the engine compartment, since I have had the Jeep. Can I do to a do-it-yourself carwash and spray everywhere under the hood with degreaser/water, or could I potentially mess something up under there.
THanks

 

Don't use anything high-pressure, there are electronics under there that won't like it.
Cover at least your Alternator, PDC, PCM, TPS with plastic. Spray on a degreaser and rinse with a gentle stream of water.

 

I may sound ridiculous for asking but what is the PDC, the PCM, and the TPS, and where are they located.

 

PDC- Power Distribution Center. It's the under hood relay/fuse box.
PCM- Powertrain Control Module. (or ECM for Engine Control Module). Engine computer. Driver's side near air cleaner box.
TPS- Throttle Position Sensor. Mounted to the throttle body.

 

if everything under the hood is in good shape, wash and rinse.

I've pressured washed mine 3 times in the past two weeks and no bad things have happened.
I don't put the nozzle right up to everything, about 2ft away does fine.
running or not... doesn't matter.

 

if not sure leave hood shut...lol...

 

3 or 4 car wash places where I live refuse to do the jeeps... I found one that accepted, and coincidence or not, it cost me a TPS. Then I did it myself, without covering anything, and it cost me a TPS. Next time I'll cover the parts that Radi suggests, and maybe a few more. After that I'll stop washing it.

 

I just did this last week and was scared of doing it to my jeep. Get some good engine degrease and the garden hose with an pressure attachment and go for it. Just don't focus too much on the electrical components. Cover up the alternator and the computer.

 

Dude I get a can of shiny bright about once a month, wrap my open element air filter with a bag and Power Wash it. The new vehicles have good rubber grommets that protect against water going places you dont want it to. Granted I wouldnt direct spray my alternator but the rest is 100% safe

 

Be sure to check back with us when you have a multi cylinder misfire after douching the engine.

 

My brother and I use to run an auto detail shop and we often did engine cleaning for people getting ready to sell their cars. We would use one of those high powered electric leaf blowers afterwards to blast the engine dry. Even if you get water down in some delicate electrical areas that thing blowing on it at 240 MPH will get it dry

 

I guess I got lucky because I used high pressure soap, high pressure rinse, and low pressure rinse. I did the whole engine compartment and didn't cover anything. I had no problems I just kept the jeep running the whole time.

 

Open an old TPS up sometime..it's just a carbon track potentiometer, and they are not sealed very well. Water will ruin it. Not that spraying any electronics with a high-pressure hose is a spectacular idea, lol.
The water itself isn't a huge problem, it will dry if you wait, but the oil, dirt and crud the water carries in with it or relocates can be a different matter.

 

I guess my engine isnt that dirty...
If I do decide to give her a wash, I will lean to the careful side.
Thanks for the input

 

I have never had a problem washing my engine on mine. Either on any of my other vehicles the only thing I have to do it cover my filter with a grocery bag. But I also have my connectors coated with gease too. The only problem that I could see if you have a open wire where its been splice or repaired with a quick connect with no heat shrink then you would have problems. Why do you think they have rubber boots the protect the connections.