C5 Engine Washing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Colo Spgs CO
C5 Engine Washing
I've had my C5 since May 2004 and I love it. It's Spring and time to get it "spruced up". Can all y'all give me tips on how to clean a dusty engine? I don't necessarily want to pop the hood and power wash it unless that's the recommended method. I haven't been able to find much info in the owner's manual or at the dealership. And if I should spray wash it, are there any precautions to take? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,049
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From: The second childhood is the best one of all.
It depends on how dirty it is. What I usually do with a lightly dirty engine is to spray it with a detergent cleaner like Simple Green. Let it soak in for 5 or 10 minutes and gently rinse it off with a hose. Then I dry it off with clean cloths. Let me know how it works for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 891
Likes: 165
From: Oswego IL
I have used the power washer at both my home and the car wash with no problems. I usually spray a little engine cleaner on the area and then start the car and then rinse everything off. I typically have the wide fan of the spray mist over the whole area versus forcing a lot of high pressure water into any of the electrical components.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I just wipe it with a damp cloth and vacuum the bigger stuff.
Also, get yourself a hood seal ... it really helps with dust ...
And adds at least 5hp ... keeps it from leaking out.
Also, get yourself a hood seal ... it really helps with dust ...
And adds at least 5hp ... keeps it from leaking out.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 0
From: Leander TX
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
I just wipe it with a damp cloth and vacuum the bigger stuff.
Also, get yourself a hood seal ... it really helps with dust ...
And adds at least 5hp ... keeps it from leaking out.
Also, get yourself a hood seal ... it really helps with dust ...
And adds at least 5hp ... keeps it from leaking out.
I was wondering where I was losing HP???
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Blue Smooth
I was wondering where I was losing HP???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by sailohio
It depends on how dirty it is. What I usually do with a lightly dirty engine is to spray it with a detergent cleaner like Simple Green. Let it soak in for 5 or 10 minutes and gently rinse it off with a hose. Then I dry it off with clean cloths. Let me know how it works for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 1
From: Sunny South
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
I just wipe it with a damp cloth and vacuum the bigger stuff.
Also, get yourself a hood seal ... it really helps with dust ...
And adds at least 5hp ... keeps it from leaking out.
Also, get yourself a hood seal ... it really helps with dust ...
And adds at least 5hp ... keeps it from leaking out.
May the force be with you, hood seal that is
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 2
From: North Manchester Indiana
FWIW, I have always use the car wash to hose down all my engines af ter they cool off . If on the way to a show, I carry a turkey baster with a hose attached to suck water from pockets around the intake and blow water from small areas. Keeps it from crustin over when it dries. I spary it down with tire foam or such. I have neverhad a failure or problem doing this, Just use a little sense with the pressure . A clean motor is a happy motor.....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
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From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I use one of those 39$ kettle steamers w/ a 4 ' hose filled with distilled water and a rag.
Takes off all of the dist any grease/oil/gunk etc.
Been a lot less since I put on the hood seal.
Also used it to clean my radiator from the backside. Doesn't leave residue and blows out the crap.
Takes off all of the dist any grease/oil/gunk etc.
Been a lot less since I put on the hood seal.
Also used it to clean my radiator from the backside. Doesn't leave residue and blows out the crap.
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If it is just dusty, try wiping it down with a fake chamois or something similar. If there is grease present, the Simple Green will work - you could try it on a rag first. If you use water, the hose works fine with a low stream of water. Just follow up with an air hose to blow the water off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Man, these hood seals really sound like the "hot ticket". It's amazing the little things we can do to pick up 5 more ponies here and there. I just dyno'ed my car last weekend. I want to buy one of these hood seals then re-dyno again this weekend to see if I really pick up 5 HP. Who know's, it might even be more. I'll be sure to report back to the forum. My question is: Which one should I get? Which one will produce the highest hp gain?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by C5VetteLS1
Man, these hood seals really sound like the "hot ticket". It's amazing the little things we can do to pick up 5 more ponies here and there. I just dyno'ed my car last weekend. I want to buy one of these hood seals then re-dyno again this weekend to see if I really pick up 5 HP. Who know's, it might even be more. I'll be sure to report back to the forum. My question is: Which one should I get? Which one will produce the highest hp gain?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
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From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Ebein
Neon colored ones are worth at least 8hp, plain black ones are worth 5.
Thanks
