Cleaning the Hybrid engine compartment.

[YazYaz]

I have used tire foam for decades also, all my cars have had a sparkling clean look, way easier to sell down the road. It is so simple and no washing needed, unless you go mudding, which is a different thing entirely. The stuff makes the plastic and rubber bits clean, not shiny, and I usually wipe excess foam off to make it keep looking like new. However, after 73 vehicles, I have never had a hybrid engine before, and by the pictures it looks like a plumbing nightmare, not at all something you would want to wipe off little bits here and there. I will deal with that when I get it, this spring I hope, and avoid mud. I have seen the cover option discussed, but that would restrict air that might cause problems. The more naked an engine, the better.....

1. Cover battery and fuse box with garbage bag
2. Leave engine on
3. Use engine degreaser
4. Rinse off with very low pressure water hose

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[YOBY]

I have used tire foam for decades also, all my cars have had a sparkling clean look, way easier to sell down the road. It is so simple and no washing needed, unless you go mudding, which is a different thing entirely. The stuff makes the plastic and rubber bits clean, not shiny, and I usually wipe excess foam off to make it keep looking like new. However, after 73 vehicles, I have never had a hybrid engine before, and by the pictures it looks like a plumbing nightmare, not at all something you would want to wipe off little bits here and there. I will deal with that when I get it, this spring I hope, and avoid mud. I have seen the cover option discussed, but that would restrict air that might cause problems. The more naked an engine, the better.....

I have used Gunk since the seventies. After losing a alternator, I began covering the alternator with a rag and spray Gunk on the entire warm engine, allow to set 10 minutes and rinse with low pressure nozzle spray. Now the important part, remove that alternator rag or it will remove your belts and than start the engine to dry everything under the hood.

I have done this all these years for two reasons. One, to spot anything that may be leaking under the hood an two, to get all that road salt from under the hood before it corrodes electrical connections and metal surfaces.

I do see one problem with the Hybrid, the undercarriage is completely covered and anything washed from the engine compartment will start building up on the lower cover.

Edit: I know, no alternator.

 

[fordvideoguy]

@fordvideoguy Tim, would you please ask your car detailing folks how they clean a hybrid engine. Is it any different than a ICE. I have always used Tire Foam - thanks.

I can ask them but I'm pretty confident that they clean it the same as Ecoboost or full gas engines.

 

[Turtle]

I can ask them but I'm pretty confident that they clean it the same as Ecoboost or full gas engines.

Thanks Tim

 

[Mag Maverick]

No sure if this matters to all of you but many years ago a US Forest Service Fire Fighter I work with told me a clean engine runs alot cooler then a dirty engine as dirt ,oil and grim retain heat . Alot of heat .

 

[Dad]

Check this video on you tube

I'm impressed. I'm guessing since there was no rinsing or wiping down afterwards, this stuff somehow dissolves the dirt similar to an enzyme product. Thank you for sharing this!

 

[WesM]

Check this video on you tube

Going to try this on my civic! Selling it soon, so hopefully it will make it look nice and clean.

 

[nirvanaave]

I’ve washed the engine in any of the cars I’ve ever owned, and I really want to do that for the first time. Thanks for the advice! My 2010 maverick is going for sale soon, and it would be excellent if the engine were nice and clean. I know guys from Sparkle Wash North Central WV and will ask them to rent me a pressure washer for a day to clean the car properly inside out. Not sure if pressure washing is not dangerous for the engine. I will use the lowest pressure possible and the engine degreaser just to make it look newer. Thanks for reminding me to cover the battery and fuse box.

 

[fossil]

Ever notice that after a few applications of tire foam your tires start to turn brown? If you actually wash your tires with a brush your answer is probably NO. How would your engine be different.
While using tire foam to prep a car for detailing or sale may be ok no way I'm going to add multiple layers of a tire shining product to my engine without using an actual engine cleaner between times.

 

[LSchicago]

Yes, i learned that the hard way years ago. That’s when i stopped using water, the tires foam trick was given to me by a old guy who used vit on his used Corvette dealership lot.

That's how I've always done it. Tire foam, no water. dry area with towels or paper towels after. works great in the wheel wells too. This is how I detailed trucks for the Tow truck shows, and won.

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