Engine Cleaning
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Engine Cleaning
Hello out there!
I would like to clean the engine on my 94' C4. What is the best way to do this and protect the OptiSpark from getting wet. Is a low psi power washer even usable or just spray de-greaser and rags.
Thanks in advance!
I would like to clean the engine on my 94' C4. What is the best way to do this and protect the OptiSpark from getting wet. Is a low psi power washer even usable or just spray de-greaser and rags.
Thanks in advance!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Spray 'er down with a power washer. Make some effort to avoid directing at toward the opti. I try to spray my engine from front toward the rear so it drains off the back of the engine. Technique has worked great for 10 years now. 
Easy, fast, works.
Easy, fast, works.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
You just don't want to soak the opti with direct water. I have kept my engine fairly clean since day 1, but I use Simple Green and garden hose with a sprayer, making sure to avoid the opti area when rinsing. After done, I use a electric leaf blower to dry the engine...causing my neighbors to give me perplexed looks, although they are use to my leaf blowing technique not just for the engine, but the car itself after washing.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
engine cleaning
Thank you both for replying. I've just heard so many nightmares about getting the Opti wet that its frightening. I think I'll crawl underneath and at least try and wrap it with some tin foil before and careful and gentile wash.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 243
Likes: 23
From: Vancouver WA
I washed the engine on my 92 coupe. Tried not to get the Opti wet but when I went to start her up, crank crank and no start. I used compressed air to dry it all out. Still no start. I pushed her back into the garage and tried to start her up a couple hours later. VROOM and a big puff of black smoke and she was back to normal. Don’t know if the Opti got wet or what but once everything dried out it ran fine again. I probably got lucky. YMMV.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 397
Likes: 29
From: Jackson, mi
easy off oven cleaner actually works very well for those grimy places... i have done several total rebuilds and cleaned up old greasy engines to an almost hot tank bare looking block using easy off oven cleaner and a scrub brush.. rinse it off with a garden hose. it isn't strong enough to melt paint or anything but it knocks the snot out of grimy crud.
Last edited by bud40oz; Apr 22, 2019 at 11:01 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 545
From: Land of the free, home of the brave...
Be careful!
In addition to totally avoiding the area around the Opti spark, AVOID spraying water with any force on ANYTHING that has an electrical connector. AND avoid hard sprays in the areas of the alternator.
And as mentioned above use a leaf blower.
And as mentioned above use a leaf blower.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
Only difference is that mine is gas.
I have also used it to clear snow from the cars...
Last edited by Gibbles; Apr 23, 2019 at 11:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,561
Likes: 946
From: Communist Colorado
Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 397
Likes: 29
From: Jackson, mi
i always thought if you leave the engine running while you power wash off the engine, you are fine anyways. done it many times. that stuff goes back to the old points ignitions i think, dodge mainly. those things would stop running in a heavy rain storm lol