Hey guys I’m thinking about cleaning my engine bay as it’s getting really dirty after owning it almost a year. I live in a region with snow most of the time. So should I clean it after the snow? And how do you guys clean it? DIY or go to detailing shops? I don’t want to damage any wiring harnesses.

I clean (wipe) the underhood once per week in the warm months, less often during winter.

The first one or two times you do this it will take more time, assuming it hasn’t been done in a while.

I use a microfiber cloth damp with plain water. No cleaning products. No running or pressurized hoses or sprays. No detailing shop.

Use the damp cloth to wipe everything you have access to. It’s a good habit to get into, because you can see leaks, loose and damaged components before they become more serious problems. It also helps increase familiarity with the vehicle, if you DIY.

There is nothing underhood that I exclude from the cleaning. If I can reach it, it gets cleaned to one degree or another.

Simple green..spray everywhere....hose it down...close hood....drive. Open hood wipe off excess

I will have to do the same too! Wheel wells have access gates that do not block water and sludge from coming into the engine bay, so there is a lot of mess in there. Have a look at You Tube. A lot of detailing channels going over cleaning the engine bay with great product reviews.

https://www.ammonyc.com/detailing/ho...n-your-engine/

Here's a great place to start. You don't have to use his products, but Larry's videos are arguably the best out there for about any detailing question you could come up with.

G'day Billy. Herein Oz wehave product called NIFTI. Its made in the States by
CYANAMID CORP and in guessing you have it also even if by a diff name.
Been using it since 1st year apprentice.
Disolves all oil/grease on contact virtually.
Just spray and hose it off. Lifts water based dirt & mud like NO de-greaser can.
Just spray & hose it off.
Best product I've used in 73 years ( my M16 was no slouch either).
Thinkin' about it .... my '07 w164 ML 350 loaded to almost 3 tons is a nicer drive than any Merc, BMW or Ferrari company car I've ever driven.
Cheers.
p. s. Don't sniff it to heavily. CYANMID CORP'S (the maker) name come from cyanide. And sodium cyanide is used as a hot tank dip cleaner on dirty, greasy metals prior to electro plating. Should be available in States for about $3:50. In Oz we pay about aud $5:60.
At any time in my caravan I have about 6 or more spray packs.

i really prefer not to spray water in the engine bay - just wipe will whatever degreaser or cleaner all all areas.

if you have oil or something further down the block for whatever reason i'd entertain doing a full detail