Detailed my engine compartment today

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I did that a couple of times. It looked pretty good for about a week and then shortly looked like I just ran Paris-Dakar.

I wondered why this motor gets so nasty so fast? Then I looked at engine compartment ventilation. Oh my... those little rubber flappy things under the trans pull air from inches off the road and circulate it up, creating positive pressure in the engine compartment while cooling the trans, rear brakes and engine oil cooler. Our cars are like little street sweepers vacuuming up a ton of road grime and depositing it into the engine compartment. This explains the Paris-Dakar level of filth.

I still wipe down the engine when I open it up but no longer use detailing tactics. All my good work will be completely dusted over in one good canyon run up Angeles Crest Hwy.