Dried mud on engine after driving through shallow water puddles -- issue?

[GroovyGeek]

So... this last weekend I drove the Bronco though some REALLY shallow puddles on a trail. Came back home to find dried mud on the hood and whatever this is called crusted in dried mud. This is at the very top of the engine bay. Means that pretty much every electrical component in the engine bay is at risk with even minor water exposure. Am I overthinking this? Never saw anything like that on the Wrangler.

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[PWillette]

My engine bay overall stays dry however there are a couple spots near the fender liners that do allow spray to intrude.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I’d say you’re overthinking it. All electrical connections under your hood are weather sealed. If they weren’t, you’d already be dead. Even driving through heavy rain splashes water up everywhere, why would a mud puddle be different or worse?

It wouldn’t.

Your Bronco isn’t a delicate flower unless you have a collision, even then, they tend to fair very well.

Should you clean your engine bay on occasion? Sure, but the only potential risk are if you self installed anything like lights or a compressor yourself, but even then, hope you did use weather sealing tape and quality connectors.

 

[Broncotrax]

I’d say you’re overthinking it. All electrical connections under your hood are weather sealed. If they weren’t, you’d already be dead. Even driving through heavy rain splashes water up everywhere, why would a mud puddle be different or worse?

It wouldn’t.

Your Bronco isn’t a delicate flower unless you have a collision, even then, they tend to fair very well.

Should you clean your engine bay on occasion? Sure, but the only potential risk are if you self installed anything like lights or a compressor yourself, but even then, hope you did use weather sealing tape and quality connectors.

he's exactly correct, I wash my engine every time I wash my truck, Bronco, Harley etc.
No worries my friend.

 

[Felix808]

At first I thought this was going to be a post about ADM & interest rates.
But yes, the connectors are sealed. just clean it off.

 

[GroovyGeek]

What about alternator and air intake? These seem like prime candidates for unintended consequences.

 

[PWillette]

The alternator is a concern for water fording, it sits very low. There's a TSB for a shroud of some sort but it's not a true fix. The intake is well above the advertised water fording depth but if you are moving fast enough to have water come over the hood you're going to take on water.

 

[swooshdave]

The alternator is a concern for water fording, it sits very low. There's a TSB for a shroud of some sort but it's not a true fix. The intake is well above the advertised water fording depth but if you are moving fast enough to have water come over the hood you're going to take on water.

Alternator is not at risk because of water, it's heavily contaminated water that's the issue.

Take a hose and wash out the engine bay. Let the hose wash away your overthinking at the same time.

 

[Overcooked]

nah it's fine, my old hyundai had way more mud in the engine bay and was running perfectly when I sold it.

 

[Mlarv]

I was mine after every time I go off roading in either my F150 or my Bronco. I wet it down use a soap cannon on a pressure washer, let it soak for a few minutes then pressure wash it off or a regular hose. Don't forget under the hood. I let it dry for a while, then I might take a 20 minute drive to warm it all up.

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