I use simple green. It always worked well to remove dirt build up in the enigine bay before a big show n shine when I used to own my ram. I always got compliments on how clean the engine bay was.

 

Thanks for the advice, I am having the worst Jeeping week of my life. I may have killed that guy if I tryed it before you said something.

 

Best stuff I've found is "Black Magic 2 in 1"
Easy to use....gets rid of mud.....safe on plastic....leaves a good (but not too greasy) shine.
Look in my forum pics for an example












-here

 

I coated my entire engine bay in mud and figured Jeep had done a good job of sealing most things. After the engine was warmed up I drove it to the car wash down the street and used the PRESSURE WASH on the engine. The steam created from the hot engine lifted all the dirt off the engine and plastics. It looks like it came off the dealer floor. I could not believe how well this worked. Just keep the sprayer away from the intake tube and computer. Worked without any soap!!! Jeep still runs great with no probs.

I did the same to the under carriage and got all the mud and dirt off the bottom because I too am ANAL about a new vehicle. Took the dirt and mud right off.

 

Use Simple Green to get the grease and dirt off:


Then use CD2 engine detailer. This is hands down the best and last engine detailing product you will ever buy. It's hard to find at your typical auto places, (Napa, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, etc.) any more. I used to get it at Napa but they no longer carry it,so I have to get it off of the net now from Amazon.com This product is simply amazing. It makes the plastic look new and is safe for belts, wiring, etc. I detail cars on the side and this product makes the difference in tips, especially when customers raise the hood and don't recognize their engine You do need to get the dirt and grease off first by using simple green or another all purpose cleaner/degreaser and then use CD2 to dress it up and protect the plastics, etc. Just try it, you'll all thank me later.

 

I'll have to give this simple green a try. I doubt it will help me though...I don't think anything can stand up to red clay stains we get in oklahoma.

 

Simple green is really good, i used to use it on my TJs engine bay all the time then take a stiff brush to everything and hose it off. Then i started using it on the wheels on my mustang to get the brake dust off. Well, over time there was no pain left on my wheels at all. DO NOT use simple green on any painted areas. It wont happen over night but it will slowly happen and you wont even notice it until you bend down to shine up your stockers and you see white spots all over the place where the paint has been eaten away from the wheel, you wont have any shine to the wheels at all either.

 

I use it on engine bays and cleaning bilges in boats (on land of course).
One thing to remember is to get the engine a bit warm to help break the oily crap loose and secondly, cover the alternator and a/c with a plastic bag as the degreaser can take out the bearings ( been there, done that..)

And old toothbrush to help loosen hard to get at places.

 

I'll have to try the Simple Green as well. I do not recommend a pressure washer under the hood. That much pressure can push water where it shouldn't be able to go. (Just my opinion.)

Personally, I use a garden hose and soapy water, but I like the Simple Green idea better.

Tom
Bryson City, NC

 

Great stuff. Seems like the perfect topic for a How-To Tuesday article...
https://www.jk-forum.com/how-tos/a/j...ine-bay-407920