Anyone else try cleaning up an old engine bay like this…?

Subaru Forums Subaru Forester
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Glad I snapped a before pic… didn’t expect the difference to be this crazy. Spent about a week working on it in between fixing other stuff. Pretty sure the engine bay hadn’t been touched in over 12 years.

  • First, knocked off loose dust with a paintbrush.
  • Then went in with wet towels, brake cleaner, electronic cleaner, and small brushes.
  • Looked decent at that point, but a little trim conditioner really made it pop.
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Just a heads-up—let the engine cool completely before spraying it down. Some sensors crack if they cool too fast.

3

Van said:
Just a heads-up—let the engine cool completely before spraying it down. Some sensors crack if they cool too fast.

Good tip, hadn’t thought of that. Should be fine though, no hose involved, and it sat for days before I did the deep clean.

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@Flynt
My special skill is messing things up so you don’t have to. :o)

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Van said:
@Flynt
My special skill is messing things up so you don’t have to. :o)

And you actually share them, which is the best part!

6

FrankRich2 said:

Van said:
@Flynt
My special skill is messing things up so you don’t have to. :o)

And you actually share them, which is the best part!

If it saves someone time and cash, I call that a win. :o)

7

That looks awesome. Might just motivate me to do mine.

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StephCOPELAND said:
That looks awesome. Might just motivate me to do mine.

Throw on an audiobook and go for it. Actually kinda relaxing.

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Why did everything look kinda blue before you cleaned it?

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Keelan said:
Why did everything look kinda blue before you cleaned it?

Not the original poster, but I’d bet they had a flashlight shining on it, making it look blue in the middle.

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Kelby said:

Keelan said:
Why did everything look kinda blue before you cleaned it?

Not the original poster, but I’d bet they had a flashlight shining on it, making it look blue in the middle.

Yeah, it was my headlamp. Also, it was dark.

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That cleaned up really well. The effort shows!

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Looks great!

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That engine bay was begging for some moisturizer.

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Can you use a pressure washer for this?

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Heath said:
Can you use a pressure washer for this?

A lot of people say ‘NOPE.’

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What did you use for cleaning?

18

I want to do this, but I’m worried I’ll wreck something. Any tips?

19

Westley said:
I want to do this, but I’m worried I’ll wreck something. Any tips?

I mostly followed this video.