VTECMAN

Hi there,

So when i picked up my 2012 TL from the dealer, I noticed that the engine bay was disgusting. When I told the salesperson that I wanted it cleaned, she said I would have to sign a waiver as it may void warranty.

Is there any merit to this? Should I not bother having the dealer do this?

Mr Marco

Sometimes when you pressure wash the EB water can get into the electronics and really f* things up.

I just take the covers off and haul them around back so I can wash them. Then take a damp towel to the intake runners and a Q-TIP to the valleys where the most amount of dirt collects.

That way you'll clean it up so it looks good when you pop the hood to show off that monster V-6 to your buddy, but you don't screw up any sensitive electronics.

gonzaleg165

Without getting into a discussion as to why you want a prestine engine compartment, it's generally a bad idea to spray wash the engine. If you get any water into any sort of leaky seals, or down into the plug holes, or other into any electrical connectors, you could introduce some serious problems. The bottom of the vehicle has components placed with the assumption that water will come up from the bottom. The top of the engine compartment assumes there's a hood above it protecting it from the elements.

potmilkz

never shampoo my engine.. that is why they made engine covers for our cars,,

3.2TLc

Yeah, I agree with all of the above and your dealer person.

Being a 2012, the only thing that should be apparent is possibly some dust on the covers. Your best bet is to just "DIY" ...wipe and clean, then apply some siliconized spray to make it easier to wipe down the next time.

If it's anything more than a light coating of dust, there's bigger problems which cleaning won't resolve, IMO !!!
Tell her to take a $100 off and you'll DIY.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Just clean off the engine covers and don't worry about the rest.

RenoTL

Good advice from everyone. When our son got his first car (MR2), he wanted to clean the engine bay but didn't on the good advice of our next door neighbor - a retired Toyota and Jeep mechanic. Water and electronics just don't mix well together!

echodigital

If I had a Ferrari, yes. TL, not so but I found this interesting.

Kenstlshawd

iTrader: (2)

I wouldn't let that dealer do anything in your engine bay. They shouldn't be doing anything that could damage your engine and having you sign a waiver. Dealerships should be fully aware of what to do and not to do to vehicles they sell.
For me all it really take to clean the engine bay is a damp cloth to wipe everything down. Your TL is not that old so it shouldn't be that bad.

Edward'TLS

There are many "water-tight" connectors inside the engine compartment. However, they are designed to be "water-tight" against normal rain and road splashes, not against high pressure water streams.

If moisture gets inside these connectors, and starts corroding the electrical contacts, you'll be looking for lots of headaches with intermittent electrical problems and/or driverability issues.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

i'll go against the grain.
I wash my engine bay.



I do not use a pressure washer.
I use a water hose, taking extra note of the alternator and fuse box.

once wet, i take simple green and apply it with a brush to agitate the degreaser.
then a simple rinse, again taking extra caution of the fuse box and alternator.

everything will be sparkly clean!
then, I take a "back to black" trim product and apply it to any "black trim piece"

echodigital

Darn it. I meant to post this video.

Treblig

Been there, done that and what a mistake (not in my current car but a previously owned one). Got something wet and had to limp home 20+ plus miles unable to exceed 30 mph.

PaulAWD

DO NOT have the dealer clean your engine. Those detailers making minimum wage do give a crap what happens to your engine. Also they will most likely be using the pressure washer to do it. Just use you car wash soap and a rag next time you wash your car and wipe it down. Also make sure the engine is cold. It is safe to rinse your covers and hood jambs with running water. Do not use the spray nozzle on it. It will look great after that. There really shouldn't be anything more then road dust on there so it shouldn't take much.

dwest1023

I have been cleaning my engines for years and NEVER had a problem. I use spray and wash. I just spray it on, let it sit a minute and hose off. Not only are my engines clean in my car, they smell good when i finish.

AlexG_6MT

iTrader: (1)

Plus one to this. Modern engine bays are fine with water, been doing it for years. A brief indirect spray and a scrub down followed by indirect spray to rinse is fine. Just don't spray directly at electrical components or your intake. Professional detailers would recommend this as well.

irischloealeck

Hose down....NEVER PRESSURE WASH.PlZzzzz

damaged442

Not sure why people are paranoid to clean under a hood. I just take a rag or small sponge and use some car wash soap and wipe things down. Very light spray with the hose to rinse. I have been doing this for years with no issue. I do not use high pressure anything, and I do not spray directly at the alternator or any fuse boxes/panels. If there is concern, you could always cover them with a plastic bag first. I use bags over the carbs and distributors when cleaning under the hoods on the Oldsmobiles, and I have never had an issue with them either.

jacum-gee05

I've washed engine bays hundreds of times and never had a problem!! The trick is to have the engine running and warm when you do it!! Also try to avoid areas where there are alot of electronics with the pressure washer. Clean those areas by hand.

C8N

I clean my engine bay but I am not comfortable hosing it down.
I just use a damp towel and go over the best I can.

LADHAR

I burnt the coil of my bmw washing the engine.

but in acura coils are sealed better with bolts make sure you dont spray on electricals and blow dry them after washing

I pressure wash the bay briefly every six months.
touchwood no problems with my tl and gs350 untill now I use engine bright too

Tonyware

Same here. I use that biodegradable lemon or orange-based engine cleaner stuff. I cover the fuse box and alternator and remove the battery. Also I cover the intake box hole as best as I can using plastic wrap or even aluminum foil. Sometimes I take off the driver's side wheel to be able to clean the tranny space better. I spray all over and let it stand for a few minutes after the engine is warm but not super hot where the catalytic converters fry that biodegradable stuff. Then without too much hose pressure I wash away all the stuff. I dry some areas with a towel where there is excessive water (especially under the intake manifold). Never had a problem with my previous 2 Accords that had J engines on them and this one, the TL that also has a J engine.

I am more worried about damaging the environment, using some of the cr*p they sell on the market, than damaging my engine.

Just use logic when you do stuff like this and you be fine.