Alright guys i have a stock 96 ram 4x4 but that doesn't discourage me from slamming through some mud holes and showing the bigger boys that a stock ram can do whatever they do! Well now I am looking into some harland sharp roller rockers and I want my engine bay CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN before I start wrenching on it. Do you guys think its safe to hose down my engine bay? Also should I have it running or not. and should I cover things like my alternator with a towel and maybe stuff paper towels down my throttle body? (if not running of course lol)

Thanks guys any input from fellow mudders would be great!

 

The "show truck" boys seem to all use a product called Orange Clean which is a foaming cleaner/degreaser.

Cover the alternator and battery (at least the top) with plastic bags or plastic wrap, protect the air filter too if it's an exposed type.

Spray it on, let it do it's thing and rinse it off with the hose. I wouldn't use a pressure washer in there myself.

You may have to wipe down stubborn spots or take a soft brush into corners, but for the most part, the product will do a great job on it's own...

 

I use the Orange Foam cleaner and cover alternator/ battery. Then hose down. For tight cleaning where I want to be careful I use TireShine. Freaking cleans everything i swear.



You be the judge.

 

Why do u cover the alrernator and battery?

I use a pressure washer on mine without covering anything and it works with no issues.

 

I also use tire shine and engine cleaner. I have never covered anything up when I was cleaning considering I am putting them through mud holes over the hood a little more water will not hurt it much more than I did to begin with. But I recommend covering it up. Cleaning the inside is like cleaning the outside you are not going to be able to just spray it off you need to put a little effort into it. When ever you go off roading you never want to just let the mud sit in the engine area. Always spray it off when you are finished to keep it from staining or making your life a lot harder which you will see soon. DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER IN THE ENGINE BAY!!!! There are to many wires there that can mess up easily with a pressure washer. Just use a normal hose and some elbow grease. I hope that this helps

 

I often stay out on the course and continue to play golf (swinging metal clubs) when there is lightning flickering all around me if I'm having a good round, too. I ain't been hit -- YET!!!

Actually the front of the alternator is open for ventilation and water can get into the internal electrical components. I've seen people do as you do and kill an alternator right away, I've also seen the inside of rusted/corroded alternators that failed prematurely.

As for the batter, water is a conductor of electricity, standing water that connects the terminals will short out and kill the battery.

Most high end detail shops actually cover the the battery, alternator, intake and plugs (and dist. cap if the vehicle has one) and even wrap the plug wires as a precaution before cleaning or steam cleaning an engine.

Low water pressure or steam has been the recommended way to rinse an engine since pressure washers first started being sold openly...

 

I accidentally got some de-greaser in the alternator on my 1991 S10 Blazer, it would squeak non stop. If I sprayed some white lube it would help, but the noise always came back. Very annoying.

 

i use the pressure washer at the car wash, but for the engine - keep plenty of distance and i don't pull the handle for the super high pressure. for the underside, i use the higher pressure on most places, but be gentle where there are wires, hoses, rubber boots, seals. for real stubborn grease build ups, i spray brake cleaner on it.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think ill saran wrap my alternator and where the throttle body connects to the air hat annd also maybe the air hat its self. cant wait to have her shining under the hood so I can do some roller rockers. WooHoo!

thanks again
-Jared

 

This may help your roller rockers project

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...r-rockers.html