A Dangerous Way To Clean An Engine Bay - A Hack Explained! 

Everyone has their own opinions. Everyone has their own experiences. Almost every detail shop uses tire foam, and few have been shut down for improper cleaning. If it was so bad, you wouldn't have put it on your own engine. The thing people are afraid of is using water on their engine bay. Like you said, don't use the high pressure wand directly on the electrical system, and you'll be fine. Every car wash I know of uses simple green or a form of it for the engine cleaner. It's just as bad if you don't wash it off. The key is wash it off, and you won't have an issue. If people would wash their engine compartment when they washed their car, it would stay a lot cleaner. I've been a mechanic over 40 yrs and still haven't found an alternator that went out from using tire cleaner.

I’ve used the tire foam method on 4 different cars for well in excess of 50k miles and never had an issue. Sometimes I cover the alternator and sometimes I don’t. I spray off with compressed air and wipe dry. Engine looks awesome for 1-2 years. All the stuff that ‘can’ happen doesn’t happen.

A method I have used for decades: 1. Disconnect battery. 2. Wrap alternator with foil or plastic. 3. Coat everything with a good degreaser. 4. Rinse with a garden sprayer, NOT a power washer. 5. Dry with a leaf blower. 6. Let vehicle sit for an hour with hood open. Never had any problems.

Just bought a oldie 98 Toyota corolla today. Just watched this dude show how easy and clean an engine could get just with "any tire foam cleaner". Then I saw yours... appreciate your input...common sense...thanks

Awesome video, thank you so much for addressing this issue. As a past mechanic I appreciate you understanding and appreciating the intricate components in the engine bay and getting past the BS and quick wins of some detailers.

Your voice is a mixture of Howard stern and Ray Romano...

Thanks Scott. I recently found your videos and I love your passion. Detailing is an art and not as much of a science. I have learned a lot from you - thanks for the passion and the ideas.

Scott you are amazing mate thanks for sharing your knowledge I've learnt so much from you !!

Thanks a million! I was about to use tire foam on my truck engine this weekend. But, I was hesitant...so, I searched for more videos on the subject. And found you. You now have a new sub! Thanks again!

Words of wisdom. Didn’t know you knew so much about cars. Way to rock those alternator components.

Thank you for making this video and all the great info. You really know what you're talking about. I wish I saw this yesterday before stupidly spraying my engine bay with some tire shine foam. I'm definitely subscribing to your channel.

Thank you for your honest and intelligent content. I was literally driving to the auto parts store to pick up tire foam. No way! I’ll get some degreaser instead. Great video.

I am 17 years old and I'm glad that I watch your videos so I don't screw anything up in my car. Thank you for helping the people care for there car the right way.

Great explanations that make perfect sense. Thanks!

Scott as you know I have been watching your channel for a while now trying to become a better weekend warrior detailer. I have been a mechanic/technician for a majority of my life. This video made me realize you know your stuff! not only are you knowledgeable about your craft but you also have some mechanical knowledge that is rare in detailing world. just wanted let you and others know that you can get some very good info from this guy. keep it going Scott!

THANK YOU!! I have a 2001 Mustang GT Bullitt and I had the bottle of tire foam cleaner in my hand about to start spraying when I decided to grab my phone and watch tutorial again just to be sure about what to spray or not spray but THANK GOD your video popped up first and I decided to watch it. You have no idea!! Thank you!!!!

I was actually going to do that after watching a video on RU-vid. I'm so glad I saw this video and realize that it's not a good idea. Thank you very much for posting this information.

You don’t talk too much. As Gene Winfield says, “every day is a school day.” Keep up the good work. I learn something new from every video. Thanks

i do not think he talks too much. i actually enjoyed him talking and sharing all that information/knowledge.

Thank you for this crucial straight up no BS information. I just watched a video of a guy who used armor all on his engine, then yours immediately afterwards. If ot says tires, that's where it belongs.

THANKS SO MUCH AS I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS VIDEOS ON THIS PROCESS AND IT LOOKS SO EASY AND SAFE, BUT SEEING YOU MAKES ME THINK A LOT MORE ABOUT PROPER CLEANING OF MY ENGINE I SMALL AREAS ONLY AND I ALSO HEARD REMOVING MY BATTERY IS IMPORTANT!

Good Video Scott. I glad to see the downside to this tire foam method. So please show us a video of a correct method, recommended products you use etc. Thank you. Thumbs up. My bad, I just found your other videos on doing it right. Thanks.

Its fine, just cover alternator with plastic bag first then rinse.

Thank you so much! I had used tire foam for that purpose and had no idea! Thanks again keep up the Great videos!

glad you did this video I was just about to use that and go at it

Thank you for such great presentation. Big like 👍🏻

Impressive engine guts knowledge, sir. Good advice as usual. Thank you

Video is well done! Information is a good thing and you gave it out for free! Thanks!

Thanks buddy, I appreciate the information! Awesome video! Very respectful man ! Your a super good guy to share this video! Was going to do that to my car but, NOT NOW !

I have been detailing my engine for years. I first hose engine down on shower mode on my spray nozzle. Then spray my APC all over engine then hit it with a light brush . Hose off engine again then air dry it with compressor. Then spray armor all tire foam on microfiber rag any wipe down all plastics . Never getting it into the mechanical parts . Really enjoy your videos man . Super knowledgeable and through explanations. I have learned alot from you and have applied them detailing my own cars

Thanks for the video. I'm glad I happened across it since I was just about to do the hack to myself!

Scott you are spot on. Thank you for the video. What is a dressing that you recommend if people want some shine on the engine?

I thought I new about cleaning an engine bay as an old school mechanic. After watching this video I stand both corrected and completely better informed!

This reminds me of people using the Tornador on carpet without extracting afterwards. It's just pushing the dirt somewhere else(sweeping it under the carpet) rather than removing it. Great video.

As an ASE Master Tech and a GM technical instructor who held two day classes and four hour seminars in six states. The alternator is a CS130D with the "D" meaning dual fan, "CS" is case size while 130 is mm. The rectifier is a group of positive and negative diodes that get hot under current load. On the back, they are cooled down and the regulator is located there since all of the wiring is on the back. Never seen any alternator failure due to cleaners and GM engine cleaner uses #1 diesel fuel as it's main component. They get plugged with debris from plants that get sucked into the cooling holes of the alternators frame, causing an overheat problem that leads to component failure. Best to use compressed air on sensitive parts after a cleaning.

He did this because he cares about customers and a sense of responsibility for instructing those of us learning and knowing how to do things the right way. If you don't understand why he would put a chemical all over his engine bay that could damage his motor then your don't understand his passion for what he does. There's a reason why he has 4k subscribers my friend, this video is an example why.

Man.. I was thinking to clean my engine with armor all tire foam in 2 days and after this video.. Hell no. Thank you for explaining how this stuf works. You got a new sub :)

Thank you. I just saw one of those videos touting the tire foam ga1xk.

Scott you are an awesome detailer. And Thank you for sharing this detail.

Rule of thumb: a can has a picture of a tire on it, don’t use it on your engine bay... who would’ve thought

People act like engine operate in a clean room when it comes to water what do they think happens when it rains love the video keep up the great vids

I bought super clean like you suggested, it works great on the bugs too. it's amazing , even better than the turtle stuff. THanks for the tip!...

I have seen a lot of videos saying its okay to do this tore foam method. I have a very dirty 96 explorer engine to clean. After the 5 or 6 videos I saw showing the tire foam method...... I just could not bring myself to use on my engine. Something just told me it was a bad idea. I greatly thank you for backing up my thoughts of why this would be a bad idea. Great job great video. I will now be looking for your videos on how to clean a mistreated engine bay starting... Now! Haha have a great day sir!!!

THANKS TO YOU GUYS I HAVE LEARNED WHAT "NOT" TO DO TO MY CARE INSTEAD OF WHAT "TO" DO AND CLEANING MY COMPRESSOR FILTER MADE THE AIRFLOW SO MUCH BETTER WITH MY A/C ON THAN ADDING "A/C PRO" !!

He did't talk too much AT ALL. In fact, he said many things that were very necessary and greatly appreciated... We definitely need more guys like him in this country. People who can be trusted to do a great job, safely and correctly, rather than being perfunctory, for the sake of a dollar and convenience.

Excellent video. I’ve used Super Clean on both my Hyundais covered the alternator and the under hood looked brand new. SuperClean is definitely the product to use. Blowing off the water is a very important step. Thanks.

Thank you Scott for some serious advice

So glad I never put tire shine on my engine bay like an idiot. Back in the day I used to power wash a 2005 Scion tC while keeping electronics covered and covering the alternator. It is 2022 and I still have that same car today. Engine bay still looks close to new. I don't power wash it anymore, just use a detailer brush and some de-greaser where needed. Just had car completely repainted.

You have to be careful with some of those cleaning products in engine bays as most products contain silicone. Silicone apparently destroys o2 sensors which can also void warranty so you don't want to be spraying that stuff near the vehicles air intake.

Very, very, very good video. I'm not in the industry, but thank you so much for putting it out!!!

Thank you so much for posting this. I almost did this to the used car I bought this week

Thank you for the information and advice

Thank you for this video. I was planning on doing this to my truck this Summer. You literally saved my vehicle. I'll go with a little elbow grease and a few hours of my time instead...Thanks again and God Bless!

I am an auto detailer and pressure washing business.Spraying any kind of tire foam on an engine etc.has got to be the least wise(saying that kindly) ever given that there are several other options. You can use odd methods like tire foam in the short term and think things are just fine, but its not just fine. There is no one universal quick fix. It will always be a combination of methods and a thing called spot cleaning . You don't just take a can of degreaser and coat everything and call it a day. Professional detailers like the gentlman making this video cares like I do. We know our chemicals and the science behind them. High ph, low ph, eco friendly etc. You can use a pressure washer at low pressure to target specific areas. A regular garden hose turned down to target certain areas whether just a tiny pressured spray, or free flowing no spray. TO spot clean. We dont want to send oil, grease, certain chemicals into the storm sewer or neighboring creek. Very hot water to boiling water is key. Stand alone. For about 90 dollars go get the McCulloch steam cleaner. It has just enough preasure to push away residue. But of course easier with an appropriate cleaner. Non phosphate cleaners!! Just dont use a phosphate cleaner without getting into that subject. You can use your steam cleaner a thousand ways in your home as well or car interior. No steam cleaner, ok. Get a one quart hand pump sprayer, or two, .One to apply chemical with hot water. Make boiling water in the other for rinsing. Use a garden hose to quickly do an overall flush. Hook to hot water heater if you can. You dont need to use 5 gallons of water. On gallon at best. Dawn dish soap is a degreaser. Label will say no phosphates. Biodigradable surfactants. This doesnt mean though is completely safe to just dump into the environment. Don't use dish soap to wash your car if its waxed or sealed. It will strip it. You will have to do some manual labor, like using a couple types of brushes to get inbetween things to spot clean a section at a time. Spraying a cleaner all over at once and letting it dry is counter productive. Treat, scrub, rinse. Repeat, etc. The right cleaner with very hot water will eliminate needing to scrub most everything. By the way, tire foam will leave residue. It will instantly attract dust. Any good honest detailer knows exactly what I'm talking about. We don't cheat people, but a lot of screw offs do. You get someone like me to do a full detail in and out and you'll know the difference. You'll generally pay more, but money well spent. Actually a professional sometimes may cost less in the ease in which we conduct our business. Spend a hundred bucks on something done wrong, or 180 done right! Auto detailing done right is not easy. Its a profession with a lot of factors that can ruin an interior or a paint job. Its more time consuming than you think. I don't cheat, I don't sell garbage that you don't need. I will teach you a few things to keep your detail up so it lasts much longer. Of course hoping that you will again have me back or refer me to others. I want it to cost less for you in the long run. I don't intentionally skip something in an attempt to get you back sooner. Best wishes to everyone. PS, put something under the vehicle to catch grease etc.when doing an engine clean. Dispose properly

I saw a video about this and was considering trying it because I have some tire shine foam spray. Glad I did not go out and start spraying. Thanks for the advice

Scott thank you for your advice I want to clean my engine RightWay you've been a big help

The truth is: we live in a complex world and it is never either-or. You CAN use tire shine on an engine bay as petroleum distillates perfectly loosen up dirt and grime BUT you need to blow it off with a high pressure air nozzle after a few minutes. Also you need to cover the alternator and evap system - but you should do that anyhow - and you don't drown the whole engine in tire shine. A little goes a long way. It is a hack way for PROFESSIONALS who know what they're doing, not for the average Joe who does not have enough mechanical knowledge to master this off-label use.

This is a absolutely true video because I cleaned my engine with maple syrup and they voided my vehicle warranty immediately.

I've never thought of using the leaf blower to dry off the engine. I've used my air compressor, but what an excellent tip!

Very helpful video and thanks for that. When you have a hybrid engine for detailing please make a video.

Thanks for posting. This is similar to a problem on the vw diesel (mk4 specifically). The pump seals leak and the diesel kills the alternator brushes or armature or other things in it.

Thanks for the video, I was about to clean the inside of my hood with that lol.

You are the best, Scott!

I love it when a knowledgable person speaks during a video.

i wish you could do a video on what you do to minimize clean up when degreasing an engine bay. In my case, i have an older jeep that had an issue where there's oil on the engine, and the engine has never been cleaned before. So I'm concerned about the mess that falls down during the engine cleaning. It sounds like you only work on well maintained cars, so maybe this question isn't in your orbit, but i would be interested hearing your thoughts on mitigation of this oil dirtying a driveway, etc.

Thanks for all the info. You are a Good Man 👍

I've cleaned over 10,000 cars over the years and degreaser scub brushes and powerwasher. You should get your engine warm but not hot, leave running as you wash. Know what you can spray directly and what you need to pay attention to how you spray(like the fuse box). I'll spray degreaser all over an alternator then spray it fully with water soak rinsing the alternator with water. Will not hurt it. But when your done spraying then shut the hood with motor still running and let the engine heat dry out the motor compartment. If it needs better detailing first let it dry shut off motor and hand clean with degreaser and scub brushes and rags. Then start the motor rinse well with powerwasher,shut hood and let motor heat dry out motor compartment or just go for a drive if its your car. Never had any problems ever.

Hey Scott what if I use damp towels with lil degreaser while around then wipe around with dry towels I know not gonna be perfect can cause any damage ?

I LOVE THE WAY THAT YOU TALK WITH YOUR HAND!❤👌👍

You are the best mate thanks for your advice very helpful I wish you were in Australia

been cleaning my engine bay for many years using Meguiars. never had any issues of any kind, and actually it protects all the plastic and rubber parts and keeps them from getting brittle. Once cleaned properly, wiped down, and it dries, its not sticky at all. Actually, its just the opposite from my experience, as dirt and ect won't stick to it. However, I don't have anything against using water on the engine either, and have done so on a very dirty engine as a first stage of cleaning, before using a foam protectant. And washing off the excess foam should be fine, don't see that causing any problem either, although if you wash off to much you might get as much of the protection on plastic and rubber parts that it would otherwise offer. And further, I'm not going to soak my alternator in it or something. Yeah I could see doing so could possibly cause an issue, but as you said just use common sense.

Very good point! Good job! Good video! Thank you!

Thank you for the info!

This guy is telling you the truth it's priceless info. Personally I don't buy any snake oil detailing supplies from parts houses NOT EVER EVER. I like too use flow charts. I'm a enthusitest not a pro. Find your local PROFESSIONAL DETAIL SUPPLY STORE that supply products too the detail shops and the public. Bend an ear in there. Take time too understand your products and how they work. You can really really do alot of damage if you don't understand what you products. Sorry for the long comment. Now rev up your microfibeer . . . 😀

Informative video....thanks.

Ive been spraying mine with tire foam for many years. I spray a degreaser, then wash off with a water hose and blow it off with a leaf blower then I use the tire foam. My 05 corolla has 3001,000 miles and still has the original alternator.

ChrisFix has a really great video on engine compartment cleaning. But this is good info and probably something detail shops who do work for dealerships should watch. I kind of feel like they'd be the ones to take dangerous shortcuts like this.

I agree with you. Thanks for verifying my thoughts.

Thank you for SuperClean tip! Did my 2018 VW Tiguan! Looks awesome.

I have used water many many occasions. Recently hit the engine bay of a 2015 kia with a power washer (only 2000 psi and AT A DISTANCE DO NOT HOLD THE SPRAY DIRECTLY ON CAR COMPONENTS, DO WIDE SWEEPING MOTIONS ONLY) and sprayed all the standing water out with a leaf blower. She runs like a dream. BUT. I also cover up my alternator and belts with a plastic bag to prevent oils and waters from reaching them.

Okay, so I just saw your video - AFTER I sprayed my motor. What do I do to reverse the process?

Thanks, I just seen a guy do a video on using that stuff. I didn't think that was supposed to be used that way.

Great information Scott thank you

"They will wipe of the dust and dirt on the top of the engine bay that the customer can see with THEIR VISIBLE EYE standing in front of it." Had to comment after wiping the drink I spit out through my nose! Scott, you sir are "The ultimate Matum" as another wordsmith I knew said. Visble eye... Only you, sir. Only you.

Soooo many chemicals used in the industry. No substitute for doing an engine bay right. Good cleaner - I use an effect homemade, soft spray water, proper brushes, towels, air blower and shall I say - "grit" & determination... to do the job correctly and not quickly. This was a REALLY good vid.

Thanks for your advice and I really agreed you got the point and facts right as the others did not raise such consequences

Scott. Thanks for the video. I unfortunately used a similar product you described on my Honda Accord. Fortunately, I did not use a lot of it. You mentioned you were going to remove the product you used at the end of the video. What is the best way to remove these waterless treatment products? I did it two days ago.

Thank's for sharing "The Rest of the Story".

It’s funny but not, like you said so many “pros” out of fear turn simple processes into dangerous issues down the road. Without researching, and a decent stem/mechanical background, I followed your advice before knowing thankfully by using common sense. My bays came out great, no damages or distillates to gunk later. But like you said, and I don’t see my local detailers with them, the Powerful leaf blower after is crucial. A little lower pressure than compressor blown with more volume works wonders for hiding heavier pooling areas. Love the Milwaukee line and their battery longevity. Thank you for your service, sir.

Thank you for the warning

Scott, There is another detailer on you tube that says use Maguires Regular Tire Foam. Is there any safe way to clean an engine bay with another product, without having to use water ?

Engines are designed to get wet, it's inevitable.... either through you kicking up water from the puddles on the road or even water running off the windshield and into the bay. As long as you are not stupid and have it travel into the air box while your engine is running or many of the electrical systems that are not sealed, you should be fine. The battery! you scream, well.... your car is designed to detect an overload and it cuts out the engine so that it isn't sending 24v all throughout the system, I jumped started my car and stalled another persons car, they started it back up and no fuses were blown. But having you go water happy with the garden hose is another thing, many components are designed to go well beyond the 14v, there are capacitors and distributors, many things that might appear be sealed but aren't.... don't drown your engine and before you start working on your car I suggest you go through a quick rrun through to make sure that all connections are secure and if not,disconnect,wipe them down with a cloth and dry it then plug it back in and make it secure. last thing you want is misfiring and even having double shots of fuel or even no fuel at all...EFI is very specific but also forgiving as long as you take due care.

You sound so much like my NY friends (or me..lol) Great video and hope people pay heed

I watch this video thinking you were going to show how to clean the engine bay because thats what I needed to see and cautious of cleaning my engine bay on my Chevy Suburban 2003

I agree with you 100% brother keep up the good fight God bless

I spray my car engine with the hose to clean it and have had no problems

Thank you SCOTH

I'm telling EVERYONE about this. The last time I cleaned an engine, I used a product named FLOWAY(?) made by the Kano company - yes, it is petroleum based, but they tell you to wash it off afterwards! Good video!

You do talk alot but You gave an amazing advice and shared your knowledge so Thanks a million.

Man. I am about to use the tire foam to clean the engine. I am glad that I watch your tube before doing it. Many thanks.