Washed my engine yesterday. Came across a item I was wondering maybe you guys could explain.

Just right of the airbox (drivers left) there are two red clamps running parallell to the cars body. They are connecting two wires to a brick shaped piece of aluminum/metal with heat sinks (see attached photo).

What is it for, and how/should I detach the wires to better clean it?

That's the engine ECU or engine management unit whatever you want to call it.

If you're really intent on cleaning the area around it I'd disconnect the battery then pull the two clips up to remove the wires on the ECU. Make sure you don't bend the pins.

Personally I wouldn't bother as the electronics are often sensitive especially with fluids!

Thank you I covered it up with plastic as I did with the battery and fuse box. Are there other components that ought to be covered up?

Pathaleon said:

That's the engine ECU or engine management unit whatever you want to call it.

If you're really intent on cleaning the area around it I'd disconnect the battery then pull the two clips up to remove the wires on the ECU. Make sure you don't bend the pins.

Personally I wouldn't bother as the electronics are often sensitive especially with fluids!

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NO, do not unplug the ECU when cleaning. The connectors are sealed (to some extent) when mated, but are not when apart. Avoid spraying water in this area at all if you can. Generally speaking cleaning the engine bay on a modern car is not recommended. It tends to promote corrosion.

Robert G8RPI,

Don't wash under the bonnet.!
Anything with a wire needs to be covered including spark plugs and HT leads.

g8rpi said:

NO, do not unplug the ECU when cleaning. The connectors are sealed (to some extent) when mated, but are not when apart. Avoid spraying water in this area at all if you can. Generally speaking cleaning the engine bay on a modern car is not recommended. It tends to promote corrosion.

Robert G8RPI,

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Wasnt obvious that I meant to remove the whole thing?

At the end of the day it's the OP's car they can do as they wish. Either way if they are hand washing under the bonnet or detailing I don't see what the issue is. Power washing on the other hand I'd strongly advise against it!

Pathaleon said:

Wasnt obvious that I meant to remove the whole thing?

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NO - as you mentioned the pins = so the plug had been removed..

Pathaleon said:

Wasnt obvious that I meant to remove the whole thing?

At the end of the day it's the OP's car they can do as they wish. Either way if they are hand washing under the bonnet or detailing I don't see what the issue is. Power washing on the other hand I'd strongly advise against it!

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Hi,
I'm sorry but it was not clear at all. Even if you do remove the ECU the connector is exposed and could get wet. If you must clean leave the unit plugged in but protect it by covering or putiing in a palstic bag. It may be the OP's car, but you were giving advice. I would not use a hose on a modern engine let alon pressure washer and I know what all the bits are.

Robert G8RPI.

I used a small brush and a damp microfiber rag together with some grease/asphalt remover where needed. Rinsed with a low pressure hose. Wiped up water with a microfiber rag. It's how I've done it with all my cars, seams to work fine.

Thefox said:

Don't wash under the bonnet.!
Anything with a wire needs to be covered including spark plugs and HT leads.

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Not washing the engine is not an option for me. We have quite a lot of road salt and dirt buildup here in Norway. That aside, it's my understanding that keeping the engine bay clean prevents wear and tear, and allows for early detection of potential problems. I dont see why you would not wash your engine?

I would have thought a engine under tray that covers most of the underneath would be better to stop salt stones etc getting thrown up ,by all means clean things but take extreme care where electronic components are, leave ecu well alone or use say ipa (isopropyl alcohol ) and don't disconnect them, the connectors are waterproof for a reason.

cbastus said:

Not washing the engine is not an option for me. We have quite a lot of road salt and dirt buildup here in Norway. That aside, it's my understanding that keeping the engine bay clean prevents wear and tear, and allows for early detection of potential problems. I dont see why you would not wash your engine?

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Get some of this stuff, it's amazing and does a really good job. [ame]https://youtu.be/JW1PisYwWJI[/ame]

The connectors are designed for water tightness and the casings should be water proof enough to last years of bad weather and rain so a gentle sprinkle with a hose as shown in the video is not going to do any harm

I'm intrigued that teh car is a Fiat, but the engine shows Ford Dura on the airbox. Has it had a replacement engine form a scrappy?

portland_bill said:

I'm intrigued that teh car is a Fiat, but the engine shows Ford Dura on the airbox. Has it had a replacement engine form a scrappy?

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The image is not of my engine. I just googled "Fiat 500 1.2 engine" and found something that looked the part. So, I might have jumped the gun.

They do however look pretty similar, so that's a nice question. I'll check mine later to see if they differ. If they do I'll most definitely follow up on that.

AndyRKett said:

Get some of this stuff, it's amazing and does a really good job. https://youtu.be/JW1PisYwWJI

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Agreed. Autoglym is super, and all their products smell really nice.

Since I spent most of my detailing budget on tarp cleaner (I bought a 500C with kind of a mossy roof) and a new polisher, I just used some "Turtle Wax Nano-tech Extreme Pre-wash" I have for winter use:

It does however leave sort of a milky white, oily residu if you don't get it all away. Managing overspill was also kind of a drag with the misty type nozzle (the pre-cleaner eats through car wax pretty well).

Next time around, I will swap for some better stuff with a less misty nozzle. Using some protector, like the one that comes with the Autoglym kit, will also be part of the plan.