Thread: Engine Cleaning

I'll tell you what I do.

I remove my hood heat shield thing (I dont know the actual term for it)
I cover up my open cone air filter with the large gallon sized zip lock bags
I then stick about $5 in the car wash and go to tow on the engine bay and under carriage. People laugh, but its not uncommon to see me nearly flat on my belly spraying down the underside of the whole car, including the engine bay.

I rinse everything down, remove the air filter cover, re-install the heat shield thingy and once everything has dried out really well I wipe everything I can with a rag and Pledge dusting polish. Pledge does a MUCH better job because it does not attract dust like Armor All does. I wipe down all the rubber hoses, vacuum lines, braces, everything I can including CV boots inner and outer.

Im not quite as fanatical as those the put their cars in car shows all the time but Im not far behind.

i keep seeing this question, maybe someone should do a write-up...(hint hint^^^^)

LOL. Yeah, perhaps I should do that. But right now it would have to wait until I get the tranny replaced and the car off jack stands.

I have a questions about this, since I've been showered by a salt truck, I would lve to have a clean engine bay.

So you don't have to cover the alternator or PCM? Would the long term effects of hosing down a electronic engine mgmt car, be massive electrical problems much later?

Originally Posted by IndeedSS

So you don't have to cover the alternator or PCM? Would the long term effects of hosing down a electronic engine mgmt car, be massive electrical problems much later?

I've always heard to cover the alternator and coils, but some people don't. If the PCM is exposed it won't hurt to cover it. Aluminum foil works well. There is no harm is washing the engine compartment, if it couldn't take a little water we'd all be in trouble. That is why there are weatherpack connectors under there. That said though use common sense. Don't spray with high pressure and try to avoid electrical components (which is kinda hard with modern cars).

the first few times I washed it with a pressure washer and degreaser, and no problems from that, Carmax steam cleans all the engine bays, and that seems to be ok..... but do what you feel comfortable with, if it makes you feel better to cover those components, by all means cover em

Carefull of the purple stuff on Aluminum. Some brands have a warning on the back label not to use on Alkaline sensitive metals such as aluminum. I use simple green, a toothbrush, and Low pressure water. Your car gets wet in the rain right? Just use good sense and go for it. A clean engine runs cooler and a clean engine makes any future issues fast and easy to spot.

What I've noticed when curious about how much water gets in the engine bay after driving in heavy rain is that there isn't nearly as much as I thought there might be. Perhaps it's because the heat causes it to evaporate pretty quickly.

I would love to be able to put the hose to the engine compartment, but I'm literally terrified to do so.

Interesting info about the header coating.

Here is pretty good article about cleaning an engine.
Engine Detailing (Clean, Degrease, Protect) | How-to Guide

Originally Posted by archemedes

best cleaner for engines is brake cleaner (used to use it before paint)

Works well on hard to reach spots. Not nice to panted surfaces but does blast grease away well. Cheap too.

Amazing Roll-Off is a fabulous degreasing product to use to clean the engine with. Doesn't dull painted surfaces, actually brightens aluminum.

A tip for light cleaning is spray down with GM class cleaner, the aerosol cans. Once it foams up, blow dry it clean with compressed air.

I use quick detailer so there's no glossy finish, but I'll have to try the pledge tip!

I use an Oreilly brand engine degreaser. Bag off the PCM, air filter, alternator, and coils (well, now with the WizAired just the alt and coils) and hose it off. Start up and watch it steam it all away (kinda spooky).

I noticed how much water gets up under then with all the water spots that keep getting on my WizAired window.

At the engine detailing how to...

If you have compressed air available, this is the best way to remove old leaves, dead cats and such.

LOL!