Dr_Shakalu

Hey, I was wondering how everyone cleans the outside of their engines and parts. Do you steam clean, buy degreaser or use some product and wipe everything down. When I had my first car, it was with a distributor. I bought engine cleaner to clean. First I heated up the engine, spray the degreaser and rinse off with water. I also had to cover the distributor cap so no water got in. Any suggestions?

Pwnage1337

If you have an LT1, i wouldn't recommend spraying it with water.

What year is your C4?

87 vette 81 big girl

That will work just fine cleaning up the engine compartment.

Be sure not to get the Opti- Spark distributor assembly wet with water or engine degreaser.

Otherwise it may fail very soon afterwords.

You can also use "SIMPLE GREEN" automotive cleaner and a box of new shop rags & plenty of "Elbow Grease" during cleanup work.

Brian

Dr_Shakalu

It's a 1996. I don't mind taking my time wiping down the engine area with a product but what product should I use and is there any other less time consuming way.

87 vette 81 big girl

The old fashioned way works best.

Clean one are at a time.

Windex window cleaner is helpful also.

leesvet

Steam....loosens the crud, wipe off as it melts away.

the key to this is constant care. Never allow grease and crud to build-upto attract dirt and dust. All that causes things to wear sooner and the wet grease is very hard on the plastics and insulation.
If steam can be used, cover the dist, the alt and then go for it...mop up with rags as it melts off....

Have jack stands under so its taller, easier to lean over. Then you can get under it and do the other side...
If you keep your under side clean you do not have to worry about bushings and other suspension parts as soon as everyone else does.

dclafleur

You've got to be careful with simple green around a lot of our aluminum components. It'll cause pitting and discoloration, if the motor is hot I wouldn't recommend it.

87vettevert

I actually used Turtle Wax bug and tar remover to clean mine and engine degreaser on a rag for the tough stuff. Spray the bug and tar remover on a rag and wipe down, not sure about aluminum, but it is safe for paint. Depends on how much time you are willing to spend also, i have over forty hours detailing in mine, but that was an hour here and an hour there.