I'm wanting to clean the motor in my 86 Corvette. Possibly myself unless ya'll recommend taking it and having it steam cleaned. What is the best protocol for waterproofing certain areas; best cleaner: pressure washer, Simple Green and a hose, etc. I appreciate all the womderful help.

 

on my L98, I waterblast it as needed. Quick and easy. I stay away from the distributer when waterblasting. Then I spray everything with that engine detail/gloss stuff.

Corvette Mike

 

I agree with Mike...just keep away from the distributor. As far as degreasing goes, I use the yellow stuff from the dollar store, it's called "Amazing LA" sumthin or another, and yes, for a dollar, it is truly amazing. It also works great on wheels, brake dust, etc. And the engine detail spray in a can rocks! I get that at autozone...starts with a "C".....

 

Do not wet TPS or other sensors on top of engine. do not get ECM wet.
Left me at the carwash. finally got it started, drove about 10 miles died again. Unplugged everything and let dry over night. Running fine now. Geez, I shouldn't have typed that. Where's the wood.

 

His ECM is in the interior. No worries there.

 

I use a household steam cleaner, and then I use any product, I grab, in the work shop for cleaning, and done.

 

I do it by hand and dry,no risk there.My luck Ill get somethin wet . me!

 

I use the "blue" simple green For engines. You can get it at Home Depot.

I put it in one of those liquid fertilizer dispensers and wash the engine down with it, then rinse. No high pressure anything. Then I use the top of my shop vac as an air dryer. Spray with aerospace 303 protectant, blow it down again.
Then let it idle to heat up and evaporate and left over 303 or water.

THIS PROCESS IS NOT WITHOUT RISK, if you have an opti (like me) you really have to be careful. I cover the opti with a towel, and then blow dry the hell out of it.

Never had a problem, but I have replaced my opti once. Not anywhere in the same time frame as the engine clean, but you never know

Good luck, and the Blue Simple Green works great

 

After a good cleaning/spray then CD2 is the bomb!!! Does a nice job, and no fuss. Looks great on the wheel wells and underhood too. JMO

 

CD2...This stuff works. [IMG][/IMG]

 

I'm a detailer in Clearwater, Fl. and here are a few tips for cleaning the engine / compartment. If you use a pressure washer or hose, do not get close with the nozzle. This will help prevent water from being forced into components. use plastic baggies or similar to wrap and protect electrical components and hold in place with a rubber band or string or wrap foil on top the plastic molding it to the shape of the component. It keeps it's shape and keeps the plastic in place. When you spray do not get the nozzle close to components. An overall spray from a distance is all you need to get everything wet. Then spray the engine, hoses, etc. with an all purpose cleaner and let it soak for 10 minutes or so, but don't let it dry. Wet everything again if necessary to keep from drying and spotting. Find a brush at the grocery store or hardware (makes it easier if you have a few assorted shapes and sizes) to gently loosen grime and grease, then spray clean. Repeat if necessary. To finish it off, use a good rubber / vinyl dressing like Meguiar's or similar. Spray it on, let it sit for a few mintutes, but not until dry, then wipe off the excess. Use metal polish and aluminum polish where appropriate to really make the engine pop. Just remember to let the cleaner do the work instead of trying to blast everything clean. It's time consuming to do it safely and it will be worth it when you stand back and admire what you've done.

Hope this helps. Good luck and have fun!

 

stp makes it and it does wonders! works on everything! We actually went backorder on it at O'Reilly's about 2 weeks ago!