Engine bay clean. 17 years overdue.

Check this out. Took the shot on cleaning the engine bay with venom steel wipes.
Any one else who tackled this job? And what you use?

 

Just never let it get bad….33yr old 4R, purchased new. Simple Green and Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner for the tough spots. Do not let Scrubbing Bubbles contact aluminum, it will oxidize it, works great on everything else. It comes out a white foam and dissolves oil and grease into a black slurry. Hose it down and drive it to dry.
Edit: I HATE working on slimy stuff…..you can tell.

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Every time I go to the self-serve car was to clean the tires, wheels, and rubber mats, I give the engine bay a shower also using Griott's engine cleaner. Keeps it clean that way.

 

Is there anything you need to cover before spray?

 

No. No need to cover anything. But I use the slower speed spray pressure to rinse after applying the cleaner. I worry the high pressure spray (pulling back the trigger on the wand) could cause something to pop loose. Don't forget the bottom of the hood too.

I'm old enough to remember when you had to wrap the distributor in plastic first.

 

LOL WOW!!! You would never know that engine bay is 33 years old. Keeping it this way makes it much easier/cleaner to work on, and easier to spot any oil or other leaks.

 

Thank you…..and like you said, cover the distributor….

 

What I meant by distributor was back about the mid=1970's or earlier when they were still using contact points.

 

I use tire shine foam. Saw a U-Tube vid about using it. A life hack that actually works. Spray the entire engine bay minus the alternator, let the foam do its' thing for 10 minutes, rinse with low pressure water. I use the "thumb" nozzle. Keep the water away from the alternator. After the water dries reapply tire foam. Engine bay looks like new.

 

Still need to avoid spraying or cover the 22RE distributor.

 

That's probably a good idea - and precaution.
With my 2010 FJ Cruiser I never had an issue cleaning the engine bay over the 11 years I owned it. But then, the electronics in later vehicles seem to have tighter tolerances and seal better. Still, it's probably a good idea to just wrap some GLAD Cling Wrap around the distributor and cap. Only takes a minute. Think I'll go back to doing that my self come to think of it. LOL

 

that engine bay in mint condition. I’m curious to see rest of the 4Runner. I can tell you took care of from start.

 

That is a thing of beauty!

I used to keep up with this on my vehicles, 4 years into owning my 13 4R I haven't done it once.

Thanks for the tip about the scrubbing bubbles!

 

Zero optioned truck when new.
Installed OEM AC and roof rack when it was new. The other side has some trail rash on the quarter panel and a wrinkled front fender near the mud flap. Zero rust, Kali and Nevada high desert truck.
Garage kept for a little over half its age.
I painted the flaking silver OEM wheels metallic charcoal 8yrs ago. Installed a Craigslist sourced TruTrac($40!) diff 5yrs ago which made a HUGE difference. I want one for the front too. 30x9.50 ATs.
Other than that it is stock. No longer a soccer mom car, local errands and high desert trail vehicle.
Note:
We retired to the NV high desert 7yrs ago.

 

Beautiful work guys. I had always heard you had to cover the battery terminals when spraying.

 

Just the distributor for me.