Engine Bay Cleaning, Pre-Winter

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ColoradoBoo, Nov 28, 2023.

  1. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Hitting 50 degrees today so cleaned and detailed both 2017 and 2021 Prius....can you tell which is which? (2017 has 32,000 miles and the 2021 has 33,000)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 ColoradoBoo, Nov 28, 2023
  2. sylvaing

    sylvaing Senior Member

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    Top one is 2017, I have the same and it's clean too :) Although your clamps are rustless, unlike mine :(
     
    #2 sylvaing, Nov 28, 2023
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2023
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  3. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Yep...next is doing my 2014 Tundra....need a footstool to be able to get up in that beasts' engine bay!!
     
    #3 ColoradoBoo, Nov 28, 2023
  4. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    The engine coolant overflow is the only thing I can see diff. So I'll guess the older on is on top (first pic).
    :cool:
     
    #4 vvillovv, Nov 28, 2023
  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I'd review this precautionary video from The Car Care Nut first.

     
    #5 Georgina Rudkus, Nov 29, 2023
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  6. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Yep, I never spray water inside my engine bays, Georgina! I'll just blow compressed air and, for oily spots, spray a mix of simple green and water and quickly wipe it up, using various sized detailing brushes really helps, too. The final stage is spraying everything with a thin coat of detailer (I like Mequiars) and wiping it off...also smells great.

    If you look on the left, the top picture (2017) doesn't have a radiator cap while the bottom (2021) does. The 2017 takes 0W-20 while the 2021 takes 0W-16 and the 2017 had the old cannister oil filter but I replaced the fixture it sits on with one from the updated engine so they both now use the YZNN1 spin on filter.
     
    #6 ColoradoBoo, Nov 29, 2023
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  7. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    You're in Colorado.

    I'd hold off doing it until Springtime.

    When water gets into any crack, it expands when it freezes and opens up the cracks for more intrusion of water and possibly salt, which might lightly increase rust in steel components.

    Be careful.
     
    #7 Georgina Rudkus, Nov 29, 2023
  8. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I use Mequiars too. It works nice on the floor and cargo mats too. It helped to keep the new car smell for about 3 years. With the gallon, no worries about running out either for 6 years and counting, just refill your favorite spray bottle. It's also as good as any of the other leather conditioners I've tried.
    Meguiar's M4001 M40 Mirror Glaze Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner & Conditioner
    I sprayed twice, all the seats with scotch guard auto and put covers on both front seats.
     
    #8 vvillovv, Dec 1, 2023
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