Exposed Engine Bay at Body Shop

Hey everybody, first time posting on here. I have a 2014 Ram 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab 4 x 4 with a hemi, 170k miles. Other than the exhaust manifolds being done, upper control arms replaced, and general maintenance, has been a very solid dependable ride. I recently took it in to a body shop for a new bumper after a parking lot hit and run, and figured I might as well get the hood repainted due to crackling paint. Work was to be completed this past Thursday but I was notified there would be a delay of a few days. That didn't upset me, I get it. Lot of places shorthanded, can be parts issues, etc,. Shop backlogged on work and they have two paint booths.

Due to the delay, I had to stop and get something out of the truck. When I showed up, this is what I observed (see pics). I was pretty ticked off. When detailing an engine they tell you to cover certain electrical connections and to never spray high pressure water into engine bay. The snow sitting atop the exposed bay seriously concerns me. I would have thought some attempt of a cover would have been done. Might be dusty but never any rust or electrical issues. I would assume they are designed to get wet obviously, but should I be concerned? Am I over-reacting? I don't have a lot in this world but I work really hard to take care of what I do have. Thoughts? Thank you.

No big deal. Engine bay's are not waterproof.

It probably won't hurt it but it's just another sign of people simply don't care enough anymore to go one step farther to do better. I would never leave my hood up with rain or snow so I wouldn't do it to yours either. I deal with it every day, workers that don't care. I'll be out of this embarrassing American work force in 5 years........can't wait! LOL

I would be miffed. Shows lack of respect for other peoples property. I would ask the owners if they left their hoods up during inclement weather. Respect other peoples property.

I would have been highly upset and would have been unkind to the person in charge of the shop.

Regardless of waterproof or not.

IMO, there is no excuse for that. Also, not really sure what could be done about it. Right now, you are at their mercy. I would be one p*ssed-off **** too. (**** = mo fo, short for motherf*cker, the language recognition in this new software BLOWS!)

I hope they do a good job, because it looks like they don't give two squats about taking care of customers' vehicles.

When you get it back, leave a honest review on their website and/or yelp. Wherever you can. Body work was good, allowing the exposed engine bay of my vehicle to get covered in snow wasn't.....etc.

Honestly I don't think it's something you should worry about functionality wise but I'd be ****** if that was my truck.

That was very unprofessional of them
The fuse box likely won't allow water to get into the top of the unit
Unfortunately the bottom of the fuse box is completely exposed to the elements & a major point of corrosion

At the very least, wrap a bag around the alternator.

They should have covered it to start with, not rocket science!

Maybe to some not a big deal, but to many it is. I would be extremely upset if that was my truck. It is more about the attitude of the body shop, and reflects on their workmanship. Just my 2 cents worth.

Just to make it look like they cared they should have covered it. It won't hurt anything as the engine bay has constant moisture, dust and salt exposure any way. I have power washed dozens of engines over the years and had a wet distributor cap once on a mustang and a focus that had to dry out for a few hours once. If it was my truck I would take it to the nearest car wash and get the dust and salt out of all those hard to get areas that are accessible now and spray off the motor. Unless you hold the wand right against electrical plugs fuses or the alternator a rinse won't hurt.

You have every right to be upset. I too would be extremely PO and would be expressing my dislike in how they're being disrespectful to me and my vehicle. I certainly would never go back and give them business.

I power wash the engine bays on my vehicles at least 3 or 4 times a year. I am careful where I aim the high pressure wash but in all those years I have never had a problem, and working on a clean engine is a real big plus. I would never have an engine bay that looks like yours did even before the snow covering.

The snow on the motor is very unlikely to cause any issues at all. If anything it might actually wash off some of the caked on mud. That said, if I got to a body shop and found my truck in that condition, at least a couple of people would be sporting heavily reamed buttholes. If they did not immediately apolgise and rectify the situation, a wrecker would be on site while I was standing there, and the vehicle would go to another shop. Anyone that does this shoddy a job is not someone I would ever let work on my vehicle.

This is the engine bay on my 1992 Toyota 4Runner. It always looks at least this good as this picture was taken when it had not been cleaned for a while.

That is one clean engine. Looks good. Thanks for info, I'll breathe a little easier.

Sorry if I missed it, but was that hood light on the whole time?

I wouldn't mind so much if it had to be like that in decent weather for a day or two. But any period of time in the snow? It's just another understaffed, overbooked shop, likely pumping out total crap.

Any consumer grade body and paint work you get done today absolutely blows, especially if it's an insurance job. It's expensive to get real pain and body work done IMO.

Dean2 said:

I power wash the engine bays on my vehicles at least 3 or 4 times a year. I am careful where I aim the high pressure wash but in all those years I have never had a problem, and working on a clean engine is a real big plus. I would never have an engine bay that looks like yours did even before the snow covering.

The snow on the motor is very unlikely to cause any issues at all. If anything it might actually wash off some of the caked on mud. That said, if I got to a body shop and found my truck in that condition, at least a couple of people would be sporting heavily reamed buttholes. If they did not immediately apolgise and rectify the situation, a wrecker would be on site while I was standing there, and the vehicle would go to another shop. Anyone that does this shoddy a job is not someone I would ever let work on my vehicle.

This is the engine bay on my 1992 Toyota 4Runner. It always looks at least this good as this picture was taken when it had not been cleaned for a while.

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You are hired!

I don't power wash my engine bays, but I'll splash some of the car wash bucket on them, hand wipe and hose them down from time to time. Been doing that since the mid 1980s. I've never had a problem from doing so.

My issue with the OP's situation is what they did there is just a sign of shiddy work all the way around. I get it that shop space is limited, but please..

Stephen, you had all the right to vent on this forum that is why we are here for each other, That so called body shop wouldn't have my truck for another day, Thay showed you what care they gave your vehicle, I would threaten them to put the hood back on it and front bumper facia and have it flat bedded out of there, maybe the inbreeds will learn their lesson.

Wow... did this thread ver off into a direction I didn't foresee.

I'll add my 4 cents here;

1. I took your post as asking for some advise, which is what this site is all about, so good for you for being here. Didn't interpret any of it as "whining".

2. So for anyone who does... come on...... If you don't have something constructive, or positive to add.... then why are you even here then?

3. I'm in total agreement that the engine bay should have been covered with at least a tarp. Everything always comes down to the details. The fact is, you've selected them to do the work, and its already begun. Hopefully the finished product will be as you envision.

4. I would certainly bring it to the shop's attention and your concern. Given that it may have been unintentionally not covered, I would at least expect that you get descent detail to specifically include the engine bay tossed in for good measure and gesture on their part..... but you'll have to bring that up to them.

As mentioned.... you might want to have your battery checked too. The engine bay lights been on the whole time it looks like