washing the engine
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
I recently used a can or two of Black Magic on my entire engine bay, the front suspension, and a few other odds and ends up front. After the time suggested on the can, hosed down the entire engine bay.. looks good as new (or at least, as good as a 110000 mile engine bay can look 
). I'd strongly recommend the stuff. 
). I'd strongly recommend the stuff.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: sd
I go to the carwash and wash away. Then I come home and get the armor all tire shine and spray the compartment, close the hood, and run the engine for a while. After about 10 minutes I get out a rag and wipe off the extra and she looks like new in no time. I'm glad I have the 85 as the later years aren't so lucky in keeping their engines clean because of the opti spark.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
The tire shine on the inside of the hood & other plastic areas is the ticket. I'm too paranoid to spray-steam-water clean the engine. I just simple green-elbow grease it. I've had the manifold off recently, so it looks good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Don't steam clean your engine. I saw on Motorweek with Pat Goss last week. He covered this. He stated the steam gets into the electrical connectors and corrodes them over time.
Just use elbow grease and a cleaner.
Just use elbow grease and a cleaner.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Get some baggies and cover the dist. and alternator. After you clean it-don't know if I'd steam clean it without cleaning and applying dialectic
to connections-but after u clean it just let it dry-then start it up and let it idle for awhile-BTW, I've found having the car on a slight incline
helps drainage.
to connections-but after u clean it just let it dry-then start it up and let it idle for awhile-BTW, I've found having the car on a slight incline
helps drainage.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,468
Likes: 0
From: I saw her today at the reception.....a glass of wine in her hand...
Originally Posted by poplife
Don't steam clean your engine. I saw on Motorweek with Pat Goss last week. He covered this. He stated the steam gets into the electrical connectors and corrodes them over time.
Just use elbow grease and a cleaner.
Just use elbow grease and a cleaner.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by goldeneye_vet
I go to the carwash and wash away.
I'm glad I have the 85 as the later years aren't so lucky in keeping their engines clean because of the opti spark.
I'm glad I have the 85 as the later years aren't so lucky in keeping their engines clean because of the opti spark.
I use coin operated carwash on my engine too!
My OPTI aint scared of a little water!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 771
Likes: 0
From: Washington District of Columbia
1st time I power washed my engine at the local carwash, I didn't know
about the OPTI SPARK — sprayed all over the TOP & UNDER the engine.
But now, several washes later, I've been successful washing only the TOP & SIDES of the engine, WHILE LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING. This has worked for me with a little CARE & LUCK I guess. Oh, I did have to replace the OPTI after the 1st time. 
about the OPTI SPARK — sprayed all over the TOP & UNDER the engine.
But now, several washes later, I've been successful washing only the TOP & SIDES of the engine, WHILE LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING. This has worked for me with a little CARE & LUCK I guess.
Oh, I did have to replace the OPTI after the 1st time.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by Donne Trav
1st time I power washed my engine at the local carwash, I didn't know
about the OPTI SPARK — sprayed all over the TOP & UNDER the engine.
But now, several washes later, I've been successful washing only the TOP & SIDES of the engine, WHILE LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING. This has worked for me with a little CARE & LUCK I guess. Oh, I did have to replace the OPTI after the 1st time.
about the OPTI SPARK — sprayed all over the TOP & UNDER the engine.
But now, several washes later, I've been successful washing only the TOP & SIDES of the engine, WHILE LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING. This has worked for me with a little CARE & LUCK I guess.
Oh, I did have to replace the OPTI after the 1st time. Your 94 came with the early OPTI the 95s and 96s have a better design.
Mike