Engine Cleaning
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield WI
Engine Cleaning
I am interested to hear from those of you that have cleaned your engines. Some people have said that it's very tricky with all the computor boxes under the hood and should be done by a professional only. Yet our largest Corvette dealer balks at doing a detail cleaning. Should I even attemptit ? Should I steam clean ? Your suggestions are welcome.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
Re: Engine Cleaning (Chuckster1)
spray it with tire foam and shut the hood.next time you open it you'll be amazed at the overall cleanliness of it.
i asked the detailing shop that does our company vehicles how they do it after reading about it here.same thing-tire foam.they also told me thats what the used car lots do too.
i found that if you dont go back and hand wipe everything an hr later or so,the tire foam does generate a slight film which collects dust.the first time i did it i didnt touch anything.looked great for a few weeks of daily driving.finally after some dusty conditions on my road i had to take a rag to it and wipe everything down.it polished up nice with no further chemicals.it really makes the covers stand out,and the asr cover-everything plastic or rubber looks like new.super easy.i recommend it even if you want to get a toothbrush and rags and really do it up right,it will save a bunch of time.
just keep the garden hose or pressure washer out of there however you do it.
:seeya
oh yea-forgot,many people recommend simple green and rags,elbow grease and (like below) beer. :)
[Modified by mitymek, 2:57 PM 5/23/2004]
i asked the detailing shop that does our company vehicles how they do it after reading about it here.same thing-tire foam.they also told me thats what the used car lots do too.
i found that if you dont go back and hand wipe everything an hr later or so,the tire foam does generate a slight film which collects dust.the first time i did it i didnt touch anything.looked great for a few weeks of daily driving.finally after some dusty conditions on my road i had to take a rag to it and wipe everything down.it polished up nice with no further chemicals.it really makes the covers stand out,and the asr cover-everything plastic or rubber looks like new.super easy.i recommend it even if you want to get a toothbrush and rags and really do it up right,it will save a bunch of time.
just keep the garden hose or pressure washer out of there however you do it.
:seeya
oh yea-forgot,many people recommend simple green and rags,elbow grease and (like below) beer. :)
[Modified by mitymek, 2:57 PM 5/23/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,725
Likes: 709
From: Bergen County, NJ
Re: Engine Cleaning (Chuckster1)
Go Slow Bro !!!
Forget about steam cleaning.
Start with spray cleaner & Scott Towels.
Do a little at a time, it takes time & a couple beers to do it right.
Use degreaser, there are alot of brands.
Mine was a disaster when I bought it.
Look at her now.
Forget about steam cleaning.
Start with spray cleaner & Scott Towels.
Do a little at a time, it takes time & a couple beers to do it right.
Use degreaser, there are alot of brands.
Mine was a disaster when I bought it.
Look at her now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Re: Engine Cleaning (Chuckster1)
If you have a 91 or older, the L98 IS washable. I have a power washer with plenty of kick. I get the engine hot and spray on gunk degreaser. Then I blast away. I try to stay away from the distributor and the computer, but they do get wet. I inspect the engine area in the daylight first to see where the grime is. It may take a few times to get it clean, but you can do it. If I didn't have a power washer I would do the same at the do-it-yourself car wash. As I have done with all my vehicles for over three decades.
Have I ever had water problems doing this? Yes, I have had wet wires. But I only do this on a hot day, out in the sun where things can dry out. That's another reason why I get the engine hot.
If you have an optispark engine, disregard the above............ :nono:
Have I ever had water problems doing this? Yes, I have had wet wires. But I only do this on a hot day, out in the sun where things can dry out. That's another reason why I get the engine hot.
If you have an optispark engine, disregard the above............ :nono:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
Re: Engine Cleaning (Chuckster1)
I never steam clean, or "GUNK", foam or further hose down my engine anymore!!! I was sort of the Guinnie Pig in my circle of friends back in the Golden 80's and learned the hard way with my 88 IROC . I loved keeping her clean especially the engine so I used Gunk alot and always hosed it off. I don't know how may Map, Mass air sensors etc this was responsible for ruining!!!
Take the good advise and use rags and a toothbrush!!! :reddevil :iagree:
Take the good advise and use rags and a toothbrush!!! :reddevil :iagree:
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Ca
Re: Engine Cleaning (Chuckster1)
You might take a wire brush (soft brissel) and hit the aluminum, it shines it up pretty nice, then hit it with some never dull.
if you get a small enough brush (like the size of a tooth brush) you can get most everything to shine like new. I spent most of last night shining my engine up..... it is a love hate thing... :steering:
if you get a small enough brush (like the size of a tooth brush) you can get most everything to shine like new. I spent most of last night shining my engine up..... it is a love hate thing... :steering:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,493
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From: The Clem MI
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Engine Cleaning (91whiteconv)
I agree totally! I truly wish we could just blast our engines with water and some cleaner, but we can't. The problem with cleaning the engine is that it never ends! You get one area really good, and then the rest looks like crap, so you have no choice but to keep working through the areas. Engine cleaning put the word 'detail' in detailing.
.... it is a love hate thing... :steering:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Engine Cleaning (Chuckster1)
Gordon Killebrew (whose job for GM was to troubleshoot C4 problems for dealers and owners) recommends this method for 91 and older. Warm engine, spray with Westley's degreaser (which I can't find anywhere!) and let it sit for a while with the hood closed. Then rinse off with your garden hose sprayer set on "mist". I just used Greased Lightning instead and bagged the distributor. Worked fine! You can also use a scotch brite pad to shine up the aluminum parts and Pledge for the bottom of the hood, hoses, and other plastic stuff. :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
Re: Engine Cleaning (corvetteronw)
wonder if this is the same stuff http://housewares.aubuchonhardware.c...ner-603775.asp
actually it must be cuz heres the westleys lineup: http://westleys.com/internal_pages/Westleys.htm
[Modified by mitymek, 6:31 PM 5/23/2004]
actually it must be cuz heres the westleys lineup: http://westleys.com/internal_pages/Westleys.htm
[Modified by mitymek, 6:31 PM 5/23/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Engine Cleaning (mitymek)
:hurray: Yeah, Westley's Clear Majic spray. Now where can I get it? Gordon said they had it at Wal Mart. Unfortunately the Wal Marts around here do not carry it. :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,022
Likes: 37
From: SW Fla
Re: Engine Cleaning (corvetteronw)
I used simple green and a garden hose. I spray it down cold with simple green, and then use the hose with light pressure to rinse. Wipe it down and start it up. The heat from the motor will dry everything else. A little pledge on the plastic and hoses and it looks like new. Did this with my old 94 LT1, and the GS when I bought it in November. Obviously Im not dousing the opti with water. You do it once, and the rest is just upkeep. :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
Re: Engine Cleaning (mitymek)
wonder if this is the same stuff http://housewares.aubuchonhardware.c...ner-603775.asp
actually it must be cuz heres the westleys lineup: http://westleys.com/internal_pages/Westleys.htm
Hey I checked out this site...I did not see any Westley auto polish!! Anyone know where I can find it online. I used to always get the stuff at RS Strauss in Jersey, now where to be found!!!
[Modified by mitymek, 6:31 PM 5/23/2004]
actually it must be cuz heres the westleys lineup: http://westleys.com/internal_pages/Westleys.htm
Hey I checked out this site...I did not see any Westley auto polish!! Anyone know where I can find it online. I used to always get the stuff at RS Strauss in Jersey, now where to be found!!!
[Modified by mitymek, 6:31 PM 5/23/2004]
