I was wondering what folks use to clean their engine bays. Especially folks with CAIs that have exposed filters. This is one of the worries that I have about getting one of these. Any suggestions?

Cover the filter with a plastic bag or tin foil, spray Simple Green on everything and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with low pressure water.

Cover the filter with a plastic bag or tin foil, spray Simple Green on everything and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with low pressure water.


Works for me...thanks. That Simple Green is like a very mild detergent, no?

It's a biodegradable cleaner.

what about the MAF and spark plugs?

after u do a light rinse start motor and let the heat from motor burn it off...Simple green is the **** I have always cleane my motor with that stuff

after u do a light rinse start motor and let the heat from motor burn it off...Simple green is the **** I have always cleane my motor with that stuff


Dude, nice wheels! I've wanted to see how black or dark chrome would look with white. That's a good look!

what about the MAF and spark plugs?
It's a good idea to cover all electronics, or just don't run water directly on them. Same goes for any electrical plugs.

what I did on my previous car was let the engine run after letting the simple green sit, but if you are going to put a bag over it, maybe not.

Tooth brush and 2 hours? Possible a squirt gun?

It's a good idea to cover all electronics, or just don't run water directly on them. Same goes for any electrical plugs.

I use a high pressure cleaner once every month and spray everything. No detergent and it looks as clean as the day I bought it. Never had a problem with water in the electrics. 70,000K on my last Clubsport and the same result.

What about a steamer?

What about a steamer?


That is actually a good idea, I have seen people use that too.

I cover sensitive things and spray armor all tire foam on all the black plastic very lightly. Really makes it shine.

Tire foam isn't a cleaner, it's intended to be used after the surface is clean.

I use a high pressure cleaner once every month and spray everything.
You should never use high pressure water under the hood, it can get inside the electronics and cause problems. You're just lucky you haven't had a problem, I have heard of it happening before.

Tire foam isn't a cleaner, it's intended to be used after the surface is clean.


You should never use high pressure water under the hood, it can get inside the electronics and cause problems. You're just lucky you haven't had a problem, I have heard of it happening before.

Its true a high pressure hose can mess up alot of stuff if you point the nozzle the wrong direction, but I've always just sprayed under the hood from about 6 feet away w/ a carwash wand...w/ CAI's and without, just be don't get too close to intake/wiring w/ the tip....4 feet away from a high pressure hose and the water is basically just mist.

I also worked in the detail bay of a huge car dealership and EVERY SINGLE used car we had I would douse w/ degreaser and spray w/ a high pressure hose...these are cars we'd end up reselling, and never had a problem.

You could check out the vids over at Adams polishes. Good one there on engine bays.

I just cant take a hose to my engine bay....CAN'T DO IT!!!! LOL

I just use a a damp cloth and it works well. It might not look as perfect as these other guys, but again I just can't take a hose to my engine bay.

Tire foam isn't a cleaner, it's intended to be used after the surface is clean.


You should never use high pressure water under the hood, it can get inside the electronics and cause problems. You're just lucky you haven't had a problem, I have heard of it happening before.


been doing it for 10 years on my prix. i must be really lucky. tire foam is great for blacks and also takes that film off the window washer fluid res. i use tire foam all over. if the surface is smooth, wipe it down afterwards. good stuff.

Meguires makes an engine bay cleaner stuff, you just spray it on, let it sit for 15 minutes, use a hose, with no nozzle, and spray it off, then use a towel to dry/wipe.

Meguires makes an engine bay cleaner stuff, you just spray it on, let it sit for 15 minutes, use a hose, with no nozzle, and spray it off, then use a towel to dry/wipe.

That's wassup...might try that or the simple green.

Cover the filter with a plastic bag or tin foil, spray Simple Green on everything and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with low pressure water.

i did this, and let it idle with hood closed for about 10 min after.

worked great !

I used car wash soap worked good for me and I spray it all off after simple green is what I used to use but it makes the aluminum dull over time so I stopped

After the hose, use a leaf blower to speed up the drying.

Simple green.


Turn hose on 30%, wet engine bay down so its all wet. Spray simple green all over, wait about a min, rinse.

Turn up the hose if you wanna get dirt off the suspension areas.

Some people say keep the engine running, I have yet to do that with my past 4 cars, no issues at all. Though I don't start it up right away after done, normally quite a few hours worth of drying.


Also, a plastic scrub pad, or plastic bristle pipe cleaner works wonders.