Cleaning Engine Bay
 

Hi, I am looking for some assistance in how to best clean and detail my engine bay. My 04 CE Z06 is registered for Gold Certification at Bloomington Gold in just a few weeks and I'd like to know how to best approach cleaning the engine compartment without putting a hose to it.

Diane Quackenbush

Just how dirty is it? On mine, I just wipe down the surface area with a moist Absorber (synthetic chamois) and if there is any grease, I use a little Simple Green on a rag to wipe that area up. I also use an air compressor with a nozzle to blow dust/debris off the engine/suspension area.

Cleaning Engine Bay
 

It's probably not all that bad but there are over 17k miles on the car so it's not like it has never been driven. I don't have an air compressor but I do have a blower. I've heard of Simple Green but never used it. Does it need to be rinsed off? I'm afraid to take a hose to it because...well, it's probably not a real good idea.

Don't be afraid of the hose. I actually got the idea from Adams Polishes in one of their earlier videos on how to clean the engine bay. Here's what you do:
1) Spray the engine bay with some form of degreaser or all purpose cleaner. I use 409.
2) Using a soft brush agitate the dirtier portions of the engine.
3) Before turning the hose on to rinse, start your engine. Then and only then, turn on a very light stream of water to rinse it off. The idea behind turning the engine on is if you should see your engine begin to sputter, move the hose off. I have never had my engine sputter.
4) Use a leaf blower to blow out the remaining the water.
5) Wipe down the remaining wet portions.
6) Dress the plastic with your choice of exterior trim treatments

I have used this process on all my cars with no problems:thumbs:

I agree with hb4lthr, good process. Don't worry about a fine spray of water on your engine, it's designed to tolerate it. You can scrub all day and all night with a rag/brush and it still won't be a clean as a little degreaser/water treatment.

Just be careful that no water gets into the recess of the rear knock sensor as it will short out and need to be replaced. There is a TSB on this issue. I found out the hard way.

Dan

I use a bucket of water with some Simple Green in it & wipe with a wet rag. I like to get some detail spray on a rag & wipe the hoses after I'm done, leaves a nice gloss. Good Luck!

I just use a damp rag and work at it.

:bigears where?

I believe the knock sensor is behind the intake manifold (pain to replace, as is the similarly-positioned smog pump check valve). But regarding cleaning the engine. I spritz some water and simple green solution and then wipe off with paper towels.

I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.

The 2 knock sensors are UNDER the intake, that's why water is a problem. It can pool under the intake and get into the wells where the sensors are.

I just use the air compressor to blow out the big stuff. Then on to a damp rag, and if you want dampen it with something you don't mind using. Then dry off with a clean rag. It will sparkle. If it doesn't meet up to your expectations then you will have to get more aggressive. But I am pretty sure you won't have to go to that far. The engine bay cleans up quite well. :D :seeya

aerospace 303 awesome stuff.... :thumbs: Do a search online for it. Been using it for 10 years and worth every penny.

Adams In n Out spray after you clean it! Awesome stuff! Shines all the plastic and goes away by itself on the metal surfaces.

Simple green mixed with water in a spray bottle :cheers: Never had a single problem in 3 years. :thumbs:

You shouldn't really use Simple Green as it is somewhat corrosive to Aluminum. Simple Green also makes EXTREME SIMPLE GREEN AIRCRAFT CLEANER that is formulated for Aluminum, works great!

Well then when it eats away my motor, a bigger one will replace it!!! :rofl: Like I said 3 years no problem. I've used it on every car I have had. I spray it down, then spray with 2 parts water 1 part simple green. Then I spray it off and dry it! :cheers:

Thank you for all your responses. I'm going to try to locate the Extreme Simple Green and the Aerospace 303.

Thank you all VERY MUCH!!!

:iagree::iagree:

You probably dont want to hose down a hot engine with cold water either.