Engine Cleaning

My 360 engine compartment has a bad habit of collecting dust. I can hand-clean it, but is there a better way? If the car is cooled down, can it be sprayed with a hose without damaging anything?

 

I use a moist cloth. I don't think I want to spray any water into the engine compartment since the bottom tray will trap it and cause an even worse mess underneath.

 

Lots and lots of posts on this subject: Try the Search function. My advice: Don't use Scrubbing Bubbles!

 

Hand wipe when the engine is cool. If you stay up on it there shouldn’t be to much trouble.
Check in showroom section as well, use the search function, as stated many ideas.

 

I interested in your experience with scrubbing bubbles.. there is another thread that people swear by it .. please tell why you don't like it

Thanks

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don't use water or steam, leave it alone

it will never be the same or run the same after cleaning

 

Scrubbing Bubbles left a white residue on my engine compartment's black side panels. Was very hard to remove.

 

I had no problem with scrubbing bubbles, and my engine and side panels look spectacular. I used a gentle water mist on some areas to aid in cleaning. My car runs exactly the same as before. It just looks fantastic. I think a degreasing like this is nice once a year.

 

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/diy-best-and-easiest-way-to-clean-your-engine.574877/

My car looks and runs perfectly after doing this. Only used water from a hand held pump sprayer to limit water pressure. No issues whatsoever. I think once a year is probably a good idea.

Kevin

 

The rub with water in the engine compartment with aging electrical connectors and coils is water can and will get into things. You run the risk of a rough running engine. I'd hand clean it. Try a paint brush to get rid of the dust. Blowers never seem to get it all. Putting a new exhaust can on will reduce the dust. OEM muffler releases it everywhere.

 

That’s my car, I used a power washer with a wide nozzle and then a leaf blower. Been doing this since I got the car a few years back. Haven’t had any issues to date.

 

Since the question comes up every couple of years, I can post this comment every couple of years.

When I got my first Ferrari I read every thread, and obsessed about making sure the engine was covered, bags over any electrical connections etc. before washing, and even then stressed out a bit about not getting too much water in the engine bay.

When I picked it up after the first full major service, my mechanic (a very respected factory trained mechanic with a great reputation in the community) walked me through everything he had done, and the engine bay was spotless. You could eat off it. I asked how he did it.

“Oh, I just spray it down with a ton of degreaser, let it sit, then hit it with the hose.”

Needless to say, I have not been anywhere near so ‘precious’ when washing the cars ever since.

 

I use scrubbing bubbles also, no issues, use a gentle hand pump garden sprayer with reverse osmosis water or distilled to rinse. Obviously, dont squirt hard right on electrical connections nor spray the foam all over them either. Never had a rough run or issue yet and engine looks great.

 

I got a chuckle out of that. I'll ask the same question next time mine is in for service and see what the response is. For now, I just did it the hard way with a damp cloth and lots of time. We'll see how long it stays clean. As long as I'm not doing it EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR LIKE BRAKE DUST ON THE WHEELS then it's not too big of a deal. (Low-dust brake pads are high on my to-do list)

 

I used Scrubbing Bubbles. No problem. Use common sense, and gentle spray of water. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.