how do you clean your engine bay?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
how do you clean your engine bay?
i want to clean out my engine bay. but how? would it work to use a hose and scrub all the dirt off? are there any secrets or do's and dont's i should know about?? thanks!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: how do you clean your engine bay? (adssoccer)
I've been cleaning mine with a brush to remove dust, carb cleaner on any grime and ArmorAll on hoses, plastic and even on clean metal. After teh ArmorAll soaks for a while I buff off any residue to avoid dust cling.
My engine bay isn't very dirty but it took most of a Sat to dress up most of it. If yours is very dirty plan on a long weekend to make it sparkle.
Some people cover all electrical devices, connectors, etc and apply Simple Green and hose it off. If you have compressed air this may be OK but I prefer to not take the chance. Also compressed air is very useful in removing simple dust build up.
I bought the book from MAD on detailing Corvettes; it's good reading and has some good tips and methods to chose from for all parts of your car.
My engine bay isn't very dirty but it took most of a Sat to dress up most of it. If yours is very dirty plan on a long weekend to make it sparkle.
Some people cover all electrical devices, connectors, etc and apply Simple Green and hose it off. If you have compressed air this may be OK but I prefer to not take the chance. Also compressed air is very useful in removing simple dust build up.
I bought the book from MAD on detailing Corvettes; it's good reading and has some good tips and methods to chose from for all parts of your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,376
Likes: 21
From: Traverse City MI
Re: how do you clean your engine bay? (adssoccer)
Your profile says you have a 1995, which means you have an optispark. It's located at the front on the engine below the water pump. If you get it wet it may fail or cause your car to run poorly.
You best bet is lots of rags and some simple green and clean water. You can use a hose on the non-engine areas of the front (frame, suspension, under the headlights) , just be careful to not get the front of the engine wet.
[Modified by Aaron71771, 6:48 AM 7/25/2002]
You best bet is lots of rags and some simple green and clean water. You can use a hose on the non-engine areas of the front (frame, suspension, under the headlights) , just be careful to not get the front of the engine wet.
[Modified by Aaron71771, 6:48 AM 7/25/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Re: how do you clean your engine bay? (Aaron71771)
I used to work for a detail center in the late 80's to early '90's. We used a product called Engine Shampoo by Trans Mate. This stuff was soooo good! It even left a clean scent for a week or so when you fired the engine.(I never cleaned an opti-equipped vette seeing they weren't out yet) if you have an L98, it's safe to use some water to hose it off. Get some simple green or some gunk, shoot the motor thoroughly with it...scrub anything that needs to be, rinse it, let it dry...then you can detail....tire dressing on hoses, plastic wheelwells...mothers mag and aluminum polish on the upper control arms and a/c lines. It can look quite nice with you doing it too.
Good luck,and hope that was helpful.[EDIT] Reminder, DO NOT WASH an engine in a Vette '92 and later(Opti Spark Equipped) THEY DO NOT like water to be sprayed near the distributorless ignition.
[Modified by JD 90 383, 11:19 AM 7/25/2002]
Good luck,and hope that was helpful.[EDIT] Reminder, DO NOT WASH an engine in a Vette '92 and later(Opti Spark Equipped) THEY DO NOT like water to be sprayed near the distributorless ignition.
[Modified by JD 90 383, 11:19 AM 7/25/2002]
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Kansas
Re: how do you clean your engine bay? (JD 90 383)
I have a '95, and have had good luck simply using a bucket of HOT water with dish soap, and a sponge. Naturally, as others have mentioned, keep the water away from the Opti. Once you have gotten all the grime off, you can rinse it the same way. Then just dry everything with paper towels. I don't use tire dressing, or Armor All because it creates grime due to the fact that it draws dust. My car seems to like the extra attention she gets when I give her the 'Sponge Bath' :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: how do you clean your engine bay? (adssoccer)
Well, maybe I'm playing russian roulette, but I blast mine with water!
I also used Gunk for heavy grease or lately Simple Green-although I find it not nearly so potent as Gunk.
I do take care with the alternator, MAF, and the Optispark by wrapping a plastic bag around it(alt and MAF) or stuffing rags on the top of it(opti).
My engine is spotless even with 75,000 miles. Course I have had my share of oil leaks, power steering leaks, coolant leaks lately, so it gets a good cleaning after each episode!
:)
I also used Gunk for heavy grease or lately Simple Green-although I find it not nearly so potent as Gunk.
I do take care with the alternator, MAF, and the Optispark by wrapping a plastic bag around it(alt and MAF) or stuffing rags on the top of it(opti).
My engine is spotless even with 75,000 miles. Course I have had my share of oil leaks, power steering leaks, coolant leaks lately, so it gets a good cleaning after each episode!
:)
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: how do you clean your engine bay? (No Go)
Stay away from the armorall. It leaches the moisture out of rubber, plastic, and leather and they dry up and crumble faster than normal. Also, it is near impossible to remove once on. Check the tech tips on refinshing plastic interior components for a good rundown on this junk. I wish the whole company would fold.
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