How do I clean the engine
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 68
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From: Leominster MA
How do I clean the engine
Not sure if this is the correct forum, or if it belongs in Tech; forgive me if I'm in the wrong place.
I cleaned my 87's throttle body this weekend, took it off the car, and in doing so spilled a surprising amount of coolant on the engine. I mopped up as best I could but there's some I just can't reach. The engine is generally pretty dirty otherwise, and I'd like to safely clean it without breaking anything. Is a steam cleaning service a good way to go, or is this something I can do myself?
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
I cleaned my 87's throttle body this weekend, took it off the car, and in doing so spilled a surprising amount of coolant on the engine. I mopped up as best I could but there's some I just can't reach. The engine is generally pretty dirty otherwise, and I'd like to safely clean it without breaking anything. Is a steam cleaning service a good way to go, or is this something I can do myself?
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Re: How do I clean the engine (Spike T)
Its an L98 with no opti-crap. Hose it off, try to keep away from the distributor in the rear of the engine. Some folks swear by the Simple Green soap for really greasy stuff.
About every 3 months I take mine to the "wash it yourself with high pressure" and hose out the engine bay. It looks real good, and after a year I almost have the 13 years of previous dirt and stuff gone.
About every 3 months I take mine to the "wash it yourself with high pressure" and hose out the engine bay. It looks real good, and after a year I almost have the 13 years of previous dirt and stuff gone.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: How do I clean the engine (jaa1988)
take it to a pressure wash and hose it, just dont hit the distributor
Le Mans Master
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From: Airport Cruise-in 1 Veteran Airport Cruise-in 2 Veteran
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Re: How do I clean the engine (vader86)
take it to a pressure wash and hose it, just dont hit the distributor
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,498
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From: Bucks county Pa
Re: How do I clean the engine (War Machine)
I use super clean (yes this stuff works awsome) and the coin-op power wash. try some steelwool on the a/c lines, feul lines etc. gets those like new. Keep your coolant overflow bottle clean or it will stain. I clean the frame and frt suspension while im at it. You can use hand cleaner on the ignition wires. Once youve gone nuts once getting it nice again you can just soap and water it hose it off to maintain the look. I dont put any dressing on mine but ive seen it done on nice cars. I get lots of good feedback on my engine compartment made the old one look like it had half the miles. :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: How do I clean the engine (SlowJoe)
Tell the wife she needs to work off some calories and hand her a bucket.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Tulsa OK
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Re: How do I clean the engine (Smash)
Tell the wife she needs to work off some calories and hand her a bucket.
I think parts of you would end up in the bucket, and your engine would STILL be dirty.
I think parts of you would end up in the bucket, and your engine would STILL be dirty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,622
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From: Vancouver BC
Re: How do I clean the engine (Smash)
Tell the wife she needs to work off some calories and hand her a bucket.
I think parts of you would end up in the bucket, and your engine would STILL be dirty.
I think parts of you would end up in the bucket, and your engine would STILL be dirty.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2001
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From: Leominster MA
Re: How do I clean the engine (Spike T)
:yesnod: :lol: :lol:
Sounds like you've met my wife. Actually, she's kind of afraid of the car, doesn't like driving it, and doesn't like the way I drive when she's in it (too fast!). I tried to explain that's why I bought it, but she just don't get it.
(It's ok with me that she doesn't like to drive it).
This is great info (on cleaning the engine, I mean). Thanks, everyone.
:cheers:
Sounds like you've met my wife. Actually, she's kind of afraid of the car, doesn't like driving it, and doesn't like the way I drive when she's in it (too fast!). I tried to explain that's why I bought it, but she just don't get it.
(It's ok with me that she doesn't like to drive it).
This is great info (on cleaning the engine, I mean). Thanks, everyone.
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,996
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From: McAlester Oklahoma
Re: How do I clean the engine (Spike T)
I wash the engine at the carwash in my '89 every every time I was the car. Never had the first sign of a problem in over 5 years now. Well, last time I did a tuneup I noticed the coil had rust on it.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
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From: Framingham MA
Re: How do I clean the engine (Spike T)
If you want a really clean engine, hosing it off is not the way to go. Most of the steam cleaners have harsher chemicals which will turn your valve covers brown. It get into electrical connections. I hosing my engin eoff a few times and found that I couldn't get the water out of the intake and there wher watre spots every where.
I prefer(ed) to clean every piece by hand with a bucket, rag and water (no water spots), taking apart what I could. It takes awhile and the water and rags get pretty dirty quick.
I prefer(ed) to clean every piece by hand with a bucket, rag and water (no water spots), taking apart what I could. It takes awhile and the water and rags get pretty dirty quick.