Dirty Engine Bay

Forum for Infiniti M37, M56 M35h Hybrid and Q70 owners.
awashi43
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue May 28, 2019 8:05 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37xs

Post

Hey guys,

I had an issue with a faulty hose last year and it caused coolant to be thrown throughout my engine bay. It got on everything except vital components like the filter, the engine itself, and the electronics thankfully. I haven't had any problems since, so it's just basically a cosmetic situation at this point. The core issue was fixed with the replacement of the hose, but the substance dried (or something, not exactly sure what happened in the following days) over time. It's now brown and looks like dirt all over.

Is there an effective and safe way to clean it off completely, or is it best to leave that to the dealership or a shop to sort out? Obviously, there are some locations that are hard to impossible to reach down there. Thanks in advance for your help!


Yoda's Master
Posts: 439
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:26 pm
Car: 2012 M56
2009 370z
Location: Rock in the middle of nowhere

Post

Try soapy water and rise off. most things are water resistant.

Malbec 56 Beast
Posts: 605
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2017 7:32 pm
Car: 2013 Infiniti M66xS Totaled 4/11/20
What's next???
2010 Subaru Legacy
1983 Porsche 928 S Euro (Sold) 2/17/20

Post

I really like the Walmart brand engine cleaner
Works just as good as others and it’s cheap, my middle name lol

Good luck
Andy

awashi43
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue May 28, 2019 8:05 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37xs

Post

Thanks for the feedback guys. I’m hesitant to give it a proper rinse, since I’ve heard you can short out electrical components if you’re not careful. Guess I’ll just have to take it real slow lol.

Yoda's Master
Posts: 439
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:26 pm
Car: 2012 M56
2009 370z
Location: Rock in the middle of nowhere

Post

awashi43 wrote:
Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:59 pm
Thanks for the feedback guys. I’m hesitant to give it a proper rinse, since I’ve heard you can short out electrical components if you’re not careful. Guess I’ll just have to take it real slow lol.
I can understand not wanting to short things out, but that's why all external connectors has rubber seals. Best of luck.

User avatar
pedsemdoc
Posts: 1041
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:45 pm
Car: 2013 M37 Sport - SOLD, Premium/Tech/Sport Journey
Carbon fiber engine cover
GT Spec front tower strut bar
R2C Intakes
Oil catch cans
Custom Start button LEDs
Location: Southlake, Texas

Post

awashi43 wrote:
Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:59 pm
Thanks for the feedback guys. I’m hesitant to give it a proper rinse, since I’ve heard you can short out electrical components if you’re not careful. Guess I’ll just have to take it real slow lol.
May want to check this out....https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Engine-Bay

lots of YouTube videos as well on how to detail your engine bay safely

awashi43
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue May 28, 2019 8:05 am
Car: 2013 Infiniti M37xs

Post

pedsemdoc wrote:
Fri May 01, 2020 2:29 pm
awashi43 wrote:
Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:59 pm
Thanks for the feedback guys. I’m hesitant to give it a proper rinse, since I’ve heard you can short out electrical components if you’re not careful. Guess I’ll just have to take it real slow lol.
May want to check this out....https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Engine-Bay

lots of YouTube videos as well on how to detail your engine bay safely
Ahh, this is great info. I appreciate the help.

Larz
Moderator
Posts: 3054
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 8:55 pm
Car: 2019 Q70-L RWD
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
Contact:

Post

I never use the engine cleaner sold at the parts shops. Any degreaser or all purpose cleaner will do fine and won't leave that nasty odor that 'Gunk" cleaners leave behind. Even though our battery sist in a closed area, I open that door, cover it with a plastic shopping bag, and replace the door. Unless you have added an open air filter like K&N, there is nothing else to be concerned about. I see people use a high pressure wand in the engine bay with no problems but I will only use the garden hose with a nozzle that allows for a moderate spray. You merely need to rinse, not attack the engine. I start byu wetting the underside of the hood, then apply cleaner, agitate w2ith a soft bristle or detailer's brush, then rinse. I do extra dirty parts multiple times until the entire underside and pad is clean . I use a blower to dry it as completely as possible.
Then I move to the outside edges of the hood and fender area following the same method. I wash the engine covers separately and leave them to dry on the ground.
Next I do the firewall, the inside of the grille, and the top of the engine. Lastly, I do the rest of the engine, being sure to lightly brush where I can reach including the intake hoses, fuel rails, reservoirs, etc. Then I blow dry the entire engine bay. Do NOT use a hair dryer! I am speaking of an actual air blower with filter but you could probably use a leaf blower. Finally, after the surfaces are dry, I spray a dressing liberally over everything. Then I use the air blower to spread it evenly thruout the entire bay.
This is the hood and engine bay of an 11 year old M35 with over 100k miles on the clock:
.
Image
.
what I use:
Chemical Guys Orange Degreaser:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZI39UW/re ... s9dHJ1ZQ==

7 pc brush assortment:
https://www.amazon.com/detailing-17inch ... 1&sr=8-104

AutoGlym vinyl / rubber dressing:
https://www.amazon.com/Autoglym-VRC500U ... 207&sr=8-1

Auto air blower:
https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-AC ... 195&sr=8-6

User avatar
Ilya
Moderator
Posts: 9800
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
Location: Charlotte, NC
Contact:

Post

When I was young I worked for a detailer for a few weeks in the summer...guy would pressure wash the entire engine bay while the car was running and then leave it running for 15-20 minutes after lol. He was just careful not to spray into the air intakes or across the battery terminals. I do the same at the car wash once a year or so and have been for years.

User avatar
CRV_33
Posts: 419
Joined: Wed May 20, 2015 11:42 am
Car: 2011 Infiniti M56x
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Post

I was just looking at my engine bay last week and it’s could use a cleaning. I’m also hesitant to spray water into my engine bay.

Gunk makes degreaser wipes, anyone have any experiences with these?

https://m.autozone.com/miscellaneous-cl ... /87184_0_0


Return to “Infiniti M37, M56, M35h Hybrid and Q70 Forum”