Hello everyone!

Does anyone have any tips on how to clean the engine bay? Mine in the XJ8 is super dusty; that's it. No grime, oil; just dust. I was thinking of using a mist from my water hose to get the dust off. Definitely not power washing. Would that cause problems to the engine if I do just a light wash? Thanks everyone!

- Pilotman

 

The key is not getting the electronics wet, connectors, particularly the alternator. I clean my engine bay at least once a year. I use a tiny brush attachment on my shop vac to get most of the dust. I'll remove all the intake tubing, air filter and plastic coverings for access. Then I clean what I can reach by hand with damp cloth. What I can't easily reach, I use various brushes, often taped to long sticks. I will use the water hose around the perimeter of the engine bay with care not to douse electronics or connectors. For greasy spots, I will resort to Simple Green and brushes, then a careful rinse. For stubborn grease, so long as its not a painted part, I will use brake cleaner and rags or long cotton swabs. If I have to rinse around sensitive electronics, I will use a squirt bottle for better control. Its tedious and always takes a few hours but being a fair weather car, it doesn't need it very often. The alternator I just leave it dirty since its down where you can't see it and very tedious to clean without the residues getting inside it.