engine cleaning tips
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Joined: May 2011
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engine cleaning tips
Sold my 73 C3 and got a 94 C4, I understand the optispark hates water so any tips on a good engine cleaning. I thought of a cleaner and just a pump sprayer with water. I also have a small house hold steam cleaner. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: D / FW
First off if you ever remove the OPTI yourself or even if you pay someone to replace it put a bead of silicone around the bottom of the cap before putting it back in .
You can put a plastic bag over it making sure it doesn't get blown off by spray and spray around it .
Most folks won't recommend spraying anything under the hood but mine gets driven on a dirt road once in a while and gets dirt blown all over the place.
Like anything else you have to use common sense !
Good spark plug wires are a must to keep water from the rest of it !
I also cover the coil cause it's so easy and my MSD Box and that wiring has shrink wrap and plastic wire looms for protection.
After spraying examine wires to make sure they haven't shifted against Headers or on serpentine belt I've never had a problem.
Do not drive in rain with out the air inlet filter because the newer OPTIs with the vent system to rid the unit of corosive ozone fumes from the light operated pickups will suck water right into your OPTI .
You can put a plastic bag over it making sure it doesn't get blown off by spray and spray around it .
Most folks won't recommend spraying anything under the hood but mine gets driven on a dirt road once in a while and gets dirt blown all over the place.
Like anything else you have to use common sense !
Good spark plug wires are a must to keep water from the rest of it !
I also cover the coil cause it's so easy and my MSD Box and that wiring has shrink wrap and plastic wire looms for protection.
After spraying examine wires to make sure they haven't shifted against Headers or on serpentine belt I've never had a problem.
Do not drive in rain with out the air inlet filter because the newer OPTIs with the vent system to rid the unit of corosive ozone fumes from the light operated pickups will suck water right into your OPTI .
Last edited by larry00; May 13, 2011 at 09:03 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
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From: Birmingham Al
Good news bad news . You have a C-4 are fun for sure and I know you don't want to start working on it right now on something you can't even see. If you want a even more fun C-4 you have to think obout the OPTI at some point .When that comes get a good one not *** GM makes the best a $99 one junk way too much work for junk GM way more money but worth it .. If just a cap MSD very good ones .Right now you are saying what.. I have had 10 C-4s the OPTI will come up at some time if not you do have a good one. Thery are great if take time and do it right just good sealer between the cap and the body I use the ELE. sealer on new hoses ends and plug wire ends also after that just drive . Easy for me to say. What's that got to do with cleaning the motor ..well years ago I just turned the hose on and boy was the motor nice and clean after about $1000 bucks and lots work it ran realy good agean. I have installed I think six .. The moral of the story don't get water in the OPTI spark ..
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,848
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From: St. Louis, Mo......... 1993 Torch Red w/White Interior...2006-07 Bloomington Gold 2005-ZR1/C4 Gathering, 2001-2012 Funfest
Good news bad news . You have a C-4 are fun for sure and I know you don't want to start working on it right now on something you can't even see. If you want a even more fun C-4 you have to think obout the OPTI at some point .When that comes get a good one not *** GM makes the best a $99 one junk way too much work for junk GM way more money but worth it .. If just a cap MSD very good ones .Right now you are saying what.. I have had 10 C-4s the OPTI will come up at some time if not you do have a good one. Thery are great if take time and do it right just good sealer between the cap and the body I use the ELE. sealer on new hoses ends and plug wire ends also after that just drive . Easy for me to say. What's that got to do with cleaning the motor ..well years ago I just turned the hose on and boy was the motor nice and clean after about $1000 bucks and lots work it ran realy good agean. I have installed I think six .. The moral of the story don't get water in the OPTI spark ..
.......Bingo.You can achieve a very clean engine compartment without using the hose.
Besides the opti, there are other components you can fry.
There are lots of cleansers, detailing dressings, chrome polish and brushes and rags you can use to achieve your goal.
Good Luck.
Rik
Last edited by Riks40th; May 13, 2011 at 09:35 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 636
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From: Cheshire Connecticut
Just be careful with painted things. I cleaned my engine with Simple Green and the paint in my valve covers were washed away. also the air intake was polished and it became dull on contact with Simple Green. Just be carful it is a strong cleaner.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 91
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From: Fredericksburg VA
Speaking of valve covers, my is missing the emblem. I've order the replacement part, but question is, what should I clean the area with and then what sort of adhesive would I use to put it back on?
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 103
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I just cleaned and detailed my engine and compartment. Paper towels, toothbrush, simple green and time. Just do a couple hours here and couple hours there. Painting parts also adds alot of detail, even if it is just bolt heads.
Double sided tape should work on the emblem, someone chime in if I am wrong.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ
I'm sure there are other products that may be equally good.
http://www.jbweld.net/products/jbweld.php
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 37
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From: Fredericksburg Va.
ROBSBALL-Robin, Just use "contact cement" - Lowes,H.D.,Wall-Mt. If You don't know-smear some on each side and let dry 15 minutes or so and put together-do it right the 1st. time as You can not seperate after touching together.,RVH
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Slidell Louisiana
I've been cleaning the engine bay on my 95 with a hose for years now with NO DRAMA.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ti-soaked.html
Mike
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ti-soaked.html
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I've been cleaning the engine bay on my 95 with a hose for years now with NO DRAMA.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ti-soaked.html
Mike
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ti-soaked.html
Mike
Mine gets washed with a hose and plenty of soap & water at least 3 times a season.
Over 110K miles now with no issues.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
Lookes new nice . I try to keep mine clean also. Not hat big a deal you just have to watch what your doing and uee the cleaning tips in the forum... Once the OPTI spark gets older will not hold up to haveing water on or around it they already have some age and add a little water and good buy spark had a few over the years that is how it looks to me...New stuff just seam to hold up better around water....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 18,346
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From: D / FW
By cleaning I mean those areas like the cross member and fender wells with the hose ! I wouldn't recommend the top of the engine where the harness and connectors are !
And FYI using brighteners for plastic leaves a film of dirt catching stuff so be carefull using that.
The C 4 Air Dam inlet and the powerful fan acts like a vacuum cleaner picking up all kinds of debris like Cheetos bags and grass clippings and occasional Roadkill !
You can remove the Air Cleaner for access to the A/C condenser or get underneath the car and you can look at the front of the radator by looking where the A/C lines go through the shroud .
I used a Long Christmas paper wrap cardboard tube taped to the wand of my shop vac to co through the hole to suc up debris .
You don't want to dammage the fins with something hard .
And FYI using brighteners for plastic leaves a film of dirt catching stuff so be carefull using that.
The C 4 Air Dam inlet and the powerful fan acts like a vacuum cleaner picking up all kinds of debris like Cheetos bags and grass clippings and occasional Roadkill !
You can remove the Air Cleaner for access to the A/C condenser or get underneath the car and you can look at the front of the radator by looking where the A/C lines go through the shroud .
I used a Long Christmas paper wrap cardboard tube taped to the wand of my shop vac to co through the hole to suc up debris .
You don't want to dammage the fins with something hard .
