[C2] Cleaning Engine Compartment
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 52
From: Southern NJ
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Cleaning Engine Compartment
Between driving the car and everything else, the engine compartment has gotten really dusty and dirty. I need to clean it. First thought was a power washer but that might be too much. Next I considered one of those gizmos that you attach to your air compressor that sprays pressurized water at 90 psi. What do you folks think ???
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
No pressure washing. Just use mild cleaners and rags. Take one section at a time, get it clean, and then move on to another part. It may take a few sessions to get it the way you want it to be.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,461
From: Fresno California
As a professional mechanic, the only time I would pressure wash an engine compartment is when the engine is removed from the car, period. Pressure washing the engine itself is a bad idea. What the others said: simple green or solvent, and rags, and an area at a time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 1,127
From: Huntsville AL & Hills of Southern TN
I prefer 50/50 Shout It Out/water to Simple Green. Very gentle on all paint and metal treatments. I use a bug sprayer. Spray on, let sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse. I also use a small electric pressure washer when I'm not nervous about electrical connectors (diesels, dirt bikes).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 473
From: Olive Branch Mississippi
Winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
2018 Corvette of Year
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of Year
I mixed Dawn dishing washing soap and water in a spray bottle.
Spray it down and get some rags and start wiping worked like a champ.
Spray it down and get some rags and start wiping worked like a champ.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 2,178
From: Chicopee MA.
A pressure washer is a bit too much for a restored car. It can knock off electric connections and lift paint. (not to mention the corrosion that will follow because it doesn't have a coating of grease on it.)
I have a 2002 that I bought new and have never even thought of washing the engine comp.
My 32 roadster, however, gets washed with mild detergent and a hose each time I wash the car
I have a 2002 that I bought new and have never even thought of washing the engine comp.
My 32 roadster, however, gets washed with mild detergent and a hose each time I wash the car