L98 Engine wash
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia Canada, Eh.
L98 Engine wash
Hi Folks.
Just about got the beast tuned for the spring, (75% of the way thru the transgo shift kit too) and thoughts go to appearances next.
I did a search on the forums and there's plenty of warning and tips on washing LT1s and LT4s, but not much on L98s. Any tips on what to watch for washing an L98?
I was thinking about popping the hood, covering the MAF, Air Filter and TPS in plastic bags, spraying on a ton of simple green (and maybe gunk engine cleaner) and having at it with the hose or a pressure washer.
Bad idea?
Thanks.
Just about got the beast tuned for the spring, (75% of the way thru the transgo shift kit too) and thoughts go to appearances next.
I did a search on the forums and there's plenty of warning and tips on washing LT1s and LT4s, but not much on L98s. Any tips on what to watch for washing an L98?
I was thinking about popping the hood, covering the MAF, Air Filter and TPS in plastic bags, spraying on a ton of simple green (and maybe gunk engine cleaner) and having at it with the hose or a pressure washer.
Bad idea?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Re: L98 Engine wash (shansen)
I have a 91 coupe which rarely saw cleaning before I got it. I have washed the motor with degreaser and high pressure water (car wash) four or five times now. I don't spray at the distributor and I don't get too close to the small injector wires on the manifold. Each time I am done it comes a little cleaner but I can still find some goop on the block, etc. Be sure to spray it good with degreaser and let it work for a couple of minutes. Once more ought to do it for me! :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 34,062
Likes: 4
From: Evans, GA
Re: L98 Engine wash (shansen)
I had an 88, L98 and washed the engine often. Make sure the degreaser never gets on the paint and that includes when you rinse the engine down. Let it dry in the sun; never had any water related problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Re: L98 Engine wash (1Patriot)
Wash my L98 all the time! Just be careful around the distributor. If you really want to make your engine look sweet, get some Mag Cleaner for unpolished/uncoated wheels (aluminum brightener) and spray it on your plenum/tubes and any aluminum parts under ther hood, and rinse it off w/high pressure. Your L98 will look brand new :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,093
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: L98 Engine wash (shansen)
I usually just cover my dist. cap as best as I can with a plastic bag and then go to town with degreaser and a pressure washer. I've never had any problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,996
Likes: 0
From: McAlester Oklahoma
Re: L98 Engine wash (TA)
I have never covered anything on my L98 and I have washed the motor at least 100 times. I was at least everyother time I was the car. I have never had a problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
L98 Engine wash
I think with all of the same replies, you're safe when you decide to wash the engine. I am guilty also of washing my engine many times since I first bought the car.
Not a necessity..but it's good insurance, cover the distributor while doing so.
While you're at it, get some green scotch brite pads, rough up the upper control arms, then hit them with some polish...you won't believe how they shine!!!
:D
Not a necessity..but it's good insurance, cover the distributor while doing so.
While you're at it, get some green scotch brite pads, rough up the upper control arms, then hit them with some polish...you won't believe how they shine!!!
:D
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia Canada, Eh.
Re: L98 Engine wash (Jay D 90 383)
Cool.
Thanks folks for all the info - I've been too lazy when it comes to keeping that area clean and now I have the info to get it done right.
Who makes a decent "Mag Cleaner for unpolished/uncoated wheels (aluminum brightener)"? My wheels are uncoated, but rough - almost like the plenum and runners Larry was talking about. I've had misreable luck finding the right spray on cleaner. A couple sprays I've tried (one from eagle one, I remember) turned them almost white. I've been using Nevr-dull. A spray on for unpolished / uncoated would be great.
Sean.
Thanks folks for all the info - I've been too lazy when it comes to keeping that area clean and now I have the info to get it done right.
Who makes a decent "Mag Cleaner for unpolished/uncoated wheels (aluminum brightener)"? My wheels are uncoated, but rough - almost like the plenum and runners Larry was talking about. I've had misreable luck finding the right spray on cleaner. A couple sprays I've tried (one from eagle one, I remember) turned them almost white. I've been using Nevr-dull. A spray on for unpolished / uncoated would be great.
Sean.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: L98 Engine wash (shansen)
I'll echo everyone else to say that you should not have any problems washing the engine bay. Another precaution would be to protect the air cleaner particulary if you have a cut or open lid. I just cover my open lid with towels. Make them nice and bright so you don't start it with them in there!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia Canada, Eh.
Re: L98 Engine wash (Rays91L98)
By Mother's Gold, do you mean the hand polish? On thier web page, I can't see any gold wheel cleaners.
I've found that the thicker polishes tend to be really hard to get back out of the rough surfaces.
Oh, how I would really like to find a nice spray on / wash off aluminim brigtener... Life would be so easy...
I've found that the thicker polishes tend to be really hard to get back out of the rough surfaces.
Oh, how I would really like to find a nice spray on / wash off aluminim brigtener... Life would be so easy...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
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Re: L98 Engine wash (91vetteboy)
I regularly use simple green and let it soak for a while. I always leave the engine running and when I spray it clean I do not hit the high-pressure trigger, just let it spray on its low setting. I do the same on the engines of my wife's and kid's cars and always get comments from the oil change guys as to how nice it is to work on a clean motor. :blueangel:
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 0
From: birmingham al
Re: L98 Engine wash (corvetteronw)
Be careful when you wash the motor.There are alot of sensors on that
motor.I always covered the distributor cap and all of the sensors before
wetting down the engine.Simple green works fine,let it sit and then rinse.
Cover you sensors! A little extra time spent before cleaning can save
you alot of pain later.
bhamvett
91 ZR1#661
motor.I always covered the distributor cap and all of the sensors before
wetting down the engine.Simple green works fine,let it sit and then rinse.
Cover you sensors! A little extra time spent before cleaning can save
you alot of pain later.
bhamvett
91 ZR1#661
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 0
From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: L98 Engine wash (bhamvett)
I washed my 91 L98 about 60 times before i sold it. I never covered anything except putting a plastic bag over the air cleaner housing to prevent the simple green from stripping the oil off my K&N filter.
FYI - Never spray water on a hot engine. You can start it for about three minutes then wait about five to ten before spraying it. This helps soften any oil on the block.
FYI - Never spray water on a hot engine. You can start it for about three minutes then wait about five to ten before spraying it. This helps soften any oil on the block.
