Rocks in engine bay

[Ron Quixote]

I'm not telling anyone what to do here but be forewarned from years of experience in electronics and auto repairs. Never power wash or pressure wash an engine bay area or you will induce problems down the road if you get away with it. Especially in today's electronically controlled everything under that hood. A de-greaser, brush for stubborn stuff and a gentle rise on shower mode from the garden hose is the trick. Like some have already suggested shop vac all the loose debris first, can even used some compressed air as log as its not cranked up to 200psi and clean her up. Leaf blower anyone? but not on turbo mode! Also never clean a hot engine (thermal shock) it should be at ambient temperature. Oh power washing will clean it up for sure but the risk far out weight the rewards!

I use a leaf blower on my engine quite frequently. We have a bunch of trees and there are always little bits of leaves that work their way in.

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[MasterCylinder]

I use a leaf blower on my engine quite frequently. We have a bunch of trees and there are always little bits of leaves that work their way in.

You and me both. My windshield vent constantly full this time of year, Also why I went battery powered one, quick access to more power Arrr, arrrrh arrrrh!

 

[Grabber]

Definitely caused by some type of animal. Make sure you are proactive, if they were there once, most likely be back. My friend's son Bronco had the main wiring harness damaged twice in 2 months by squirrels. Over $3,000.00 in repairs each time, plus a tow.

 

[Ron Quixote]

I use this on our cars we park outside

https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Mint-Repellent-Vehicle-Interiors/dp/B08BTRQRBM/

 

[Sparky62]

I've used something similar to above when I had to park another vehicle outside.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYP6D5C?th=1

 

[BriSco]

Hello folks! Went to top off washer fluid and noticed a bunch of gravel all over the top of the engine. I was pretty surprised since I baby this truck and I do not go off-roading at all. It has rained a lot in the Bay Area and the right side of my driveway gets a little muddy (my driveway is narrow, so the right-side wheels dig up grass), so I added gravel to that side over the last week. I have a very short driveway, so I go slowly in and out.

My question is, could gravel get stuck to the tires when it was wet and then flick up into the engine when I turn the wheel driving off? It is the only thing I can think of. I will power wash this out tomorrow during the day but wanted to get the community's feedback.

Pictures below

Go to a drive through car wash and use their outside vacuums. Here the vacuums are free, even if you don't buy a wash.

 

[waffleso_0]

Hello everyone! Update: I got 99% of the rocks out. When I do the next oil change I'll see what under the engine and around area as well.

Thanks for the tips and feedback. To those who say you can’t power wash an engine bay: actually, you can. The trick is to use a stubby gun with 45 angle tip, hold it above the engine, spray downward, and let it dry. Spraying the jet directly into nooks and crannies is definitely not recommended. But don't worry, I didn't even use a power washer this time. My ford buddy says they use power washers all the time on the cars they service.

Anyway, with that out of the way, I was able to get everything I could see using a shop-vac and compressed air. The amoral shop vac was the ticket plus a pointed nozzle for the compressor

Took two days about 3 hours each day with a few breaks. Had to use both in tandem. Have the hose above where I shoot the air so the rocks that go flying get sucked up. I also had to use some hook, needle nose tools to get pebbles that were wedged in.

 

[waffleso_0]

I also bought some repellent spay and am using that on the engine. I checked today and the engine still smelled pretty nice and pleasant to me so lets hope it keep the critters away

 

[They Call Me Bruce]

Glad you got it squared away, looks good. Didn't say you CAN'T spray the engine bay, just that I WOULDN'T.
Looks like you came out on the right end of the issue so that's good.
And my lord do they pack 10lbs of crap in a 5lb sack of an engine bay, not one inch unused with the 2.7.

 

[Johnny 5]

Sprinkle Red Pepper around your vehicle. It works. Keeps the cats out.

 

[Flak]

Hello everyone! Update: I got 99% of the rocks out. When I do the next oil change I'll see what under the engine and around area as well.

Thanks for the tips and feedback. To those who say you can’t power wash an engine bay: actually, you can. The trick is to use a stubby gun with 45 angle tip, hold it above the engine, spray downward, and let it dry. Spraying the jet directly into nooks and crannies is definitely not recommended. But don't worry, I didn't even use a power washer this time. My ford buddy says they use power washers all the time on the cars they service.

Anyway, with that out of the way, I was able to get everything I could see using a shop-vac and compressed air. The amoral shop vac was the ticket plus a pointed nozzle for the compressor

Took two days about 3 hours each day with a few breaks. Had to use both in tandem. Have the hose above where I shoot the air so the rocks that go flying get sucked up. I also had to use some hook, needle nose tools to get pebbles that were wedged in.

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