Was wondering if anybody could share their method of cleaning the Northstar/engine compartment. Never done it before and I'd like to do it. Luckily there is no real heavy grease or gunk anywhere, just some dirt and dust and stuff. I was planning on covering up all sensors/fuse relay and wetting it down with a garden hose, then spraying on some all purpose cleaner and rinsing it off. By the way I was going to do this with the Northstar cover off. Post any tips you have for me or methods you've proven.
It wouldn't surprise me if I got flamed for this, but I soak it with degreaser and rinse with a, ::gasp:: brace for it, here it comes... pressure washer. Whether you use a pressure washer, garden hose, or an eyedropper, you have to be careful of what gets wet.
Carefully - the valley under the (dry) intake manifold is a catch-all for water. The accessory drive end is prone to water intrusion in the alternator, A/C compressor, and belt drive tensioner pulleys. The transmission end is full of electrical connectors and sensors. Your 2005 has 8 coils, 8 connectors, 8 injectors, 8 connectors, 2 ICM's, and several feet of wiring. The cooling fans are just in "front" of the engine. Spray at your own risk.
.............or, pop a brew and hit it with rags, brushes, Armor-All and care.
I've used garden hoses and pressure washer with no ill effect, BUT be careful where you spray it. Avoid electrical components or cover them. If the engine is only dusty, I find a quick rinse of the firewall, wheel house, radiator etc is sufficient and then a damp rag to get the easy to get at parts does the job rather well. Just keep in mind that these are not the old "60's or '70's engines that you could dowse with water. There are a LOT of electronics under these hoods.
Thanks for all the replies guys. Here's a couple pics I dug up from about a month ago. Dirty? No big deal? Only thing that's really bugging me is the obvious dirt. Eh maybe I'll try and clean it by hand, damp cloth on the motor and Armor All on the plastics. Wish it was 1974 and I could just hose the sucker down without sweating over electrical problems.
I wash my engine compartment two times a year. I start by using a wash mitt and washing the underside of the hood, the upper fender area and the engine cover. I then use a degreaser similar to Simple Green and spray everything under the hood. After letting it sit a few minutes I grab a wheel brush and brush whatever I can touch the brush with. I then rinse the entire under hood area with a "shower" of water. Not a heavy stream. I have never had an issue by doing this
Don
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