How do you clean underside of car and its engine?

[djmm]

I've owned the car for almost 3 months and have done several car washes by myself. I've never cleaned the engine and the underneath of the car though.

Do you guys clean them yourself? If so how do you do it?
I was thinking to drop by carwash place and ask them to clean the underneath of the car only. But I also wonder how often I should do this if I don't really go off road and only use the car for city driving.

[Harvey]

Hum... and I wonder if it's a good idea to take the fiber underpanels of to clean behind them? About the engine, I've heard compressed air is a good way to go...

[Karl07]

Because of the under panels this engine bay doesn't seem to get too dirty, thankfully.
However, when I cleaned the engine I do everything by hand. Start at the high point and work my way lower.
Now that I have a vented bonnet, however...I don't think I'll even bother too often.

[Die$eL]

For the engine bay, I have a high pressure washer at home and use that (with the car idling)
Then i wipe it all with a chamois

For under the car, I take it to a friend's workshop and put it on the ramp. Then i grab a bucket, some warm water and a cloth and get to work. For stubborn dirt i use engine de-greaser.

[djmm]

Speaking of car cleaning, you know the front air grille, I never sprayed directly into the grille worrying that I might get water in places which are not supposed to be. Always sprayed water from an angle from the top of the grille.

[Karl07]

I dont think you have any worry about that. Basically just getting water on the radiator.
I don't know if I would spray directly with a full pressure blast from a high pressure hose...maybe bend some fins...

[djmm]

Our water pressure at the apartment is quite strong - but I think it will dislodged my hose before it can create strong enough pressure to damage the car. But then again the of the car is so thin, I'm afraid it got bent from strong water pressure.

[Odd]

[jadewbj]

I do this.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESRJrB1L5I&feature=kp"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESRJrB1L5I&feature=kp[/ame]

[WhiteFRS69]

this is my favorite tool to use when cleaning the engine, really gets into some tight spaces

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Chemical..._p/acc_s90.htm

i also use it on the wheels,

on my old car, i would use it from time to time when i had the wheels off to clean suspension parts ect ect

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by Die$eL

For the engine bay, I have a high pressure washer at home and use that (with the car idling)
Then i wipe it all with a chamois

For under the car, I take it to a friend's workshop and put it on the ramp. Then i grab a bucket, some warm water and a cloth and get to work. For stubborn dirt i use engine de-greaser.

High pressure water in the engine bay, I've always wondered if that was a good idea. I have no doubt it clean well (with some solvent), but what are the risks of getting water and muck in places where it shouldn't be?


Also, why have the car idling?

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by Odd

Don't use simple green, could effect and promote corrosion if left on for more than 10 minutes. I believe Simple Green HD (purple) is formulated more for aluminum. Or this http://industrial.simplegreen.com/in...ation_zone.php

[Die$eL]

Originally Posted by Harvey

High pressure water in the engine bay, I've always wondered if that was a good idea. I have no doubt it clean well (with some solvent), but what are the risks of getting water and muck in places where it shouldn't be?


Also, why have the car idling?

i never had any issues washing with a high pressure cleaner. Just dont spray the air intake opening and avoid spraying the electrical boxes.

rubber belts swell with water and start making a noise. I keep the engine running to immediately throw off water from the belts and other moving components.

For cars with a distributor rather cover it with a plastic. I've never washed the engine of a car with a carb but i doubt i would have it idling when washing the engine.

[torqdork]

For the undercarriage and >$10, I rinse the same way as my FJ Cruiser after a beach run. Move it after 15 minutes per corner and you're good to go.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-...tialmax&NCNI-5