Advice on Undercarriage Clean

[Ryan Slater]

Lowell suggested i clean my undercarriage as its so gunky its preventing and visible oil leaks from showing. Those who have cleaned it before, did you use just a washworld station that "says" they clean the undercarriage? Also, did you use some sort of foam that you apply as well under you car for a better clean. Or is this delicate process better suited from a proper car wash station with employees?

[Kenji Scott]

I go through those Esso ones once in a while that jet-spray your undercarriage, it actually does a pretty good job of getting most of the crap off the underside
the trick with those is to drive through them slowly, the undercarriage jet is at the entrance of the wash station - most people don't realize it's there and drive through it into the station too quickly without taking the time to let it do its job.
the proper way to get everything cleaned off would probably be to lift the car up and go under it with a sponge or a brush to get the tougher stuff off, but for a quick clean with decent results the gas station ones aren't so bad imo

[lance torkos]

Jack up the car put it on stands and buy some engine degreser for 8 bucks at lordco and go to town. The engine bay might be a good one to do first but make sure you cover the electrical with plastic bags and the air fliter too! Just spray it on scrub the bad areas with a cloth and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with the hose on full pressure. After you are done start the engine to heat up and dry the engine bay. It will sparkle like new again. :shock:

BTW make sure you do this outside as the smell is pretty harsh. Try the bio-degradable one, it is better for your drive way.  

Good luck!

[John Hartman]

put it up on a hoist.  get a pressure washer.  get some GOOD degreaser.

spray everything under there.  let it sit.  Pressure wash it off, from all angles.  Let all the water drip off for a few min, and repeat.

Do the top of the engine too, and sides, back, whatever you can reach.

You will miss some parts, so when its dry do it again.

I know the hoist part is hard, but try to find someone who will let you use one.

And trust me, I did this for 6 years, and if you have seen my engine bay, you will know I know what I am talking about.

PS, once you get it good, you won't have to really do it much after, just spot touch ups.

[Jaime Whittlesey]

Do what John says,  his engine is one of the nicest I have seen and a good example for all.

[Scott Girvin]

Be sure to cover the cam angle sensor and other electrical components in the engine bay before spraying.