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Just purchased my first C5 , 2003 auto coupe, black on black. I'm thrilled with this machine. My previous Corvette, a 1993 C4 is a lovely car but when choosing one as a daily driver the C5 wins hands down.
Anyway that's enough of my excitement, I'm wondering if it is possible to have the LS1 steam cleaned and professionally cleaned. Coming from the C4 background the word 'water' and 'engine' brings shivers down the spine, the optispark is notorious for moisture related problems/failiure. I know that the C5 doesn't have a distributor, just a coil for each cylinder so this shoud not be a problem.
From: The Surgeon General has warned that it's ok to smoke mustangs!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Congratz on the purchase!!! It's going to be the same with the C5's....don't even bother steam cleaning it....Pickup a bottle of "Simple Green" and follow the instructions on the back!
Congratz on the purchase!!! It's going to be the same with the C5's....don't even bother steam cleaning it....Pickup a bottle of "Simple Green" and follow the instructions on the back!
this is what most people do. Water down the engine bay, apply simple green, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse off. Then use a leaf blower to completely dry the engine bay (this is important). If you want you could also mask off areas you dont want wet like the intake, alternator, and battery compartment. After everything is dry, spray some hot shine or other rubber enhancement/protectant onto a towel and apply on the plastics parts. This will make your engine look like new.
Technique - get engine warm (not hot). Spray with Simple Green & let sit 5-10 minutes. Rinse with hose. Dry using compressor, shop vac in reverse, leaf blower, etc.
Corvettecentral...first...welcome to the dark side!
I remember many conversations in the C4 section about washing the motor and the shivers everyone got, especially with the LT1 (former name was Whitvette). On my C5, I have done what everyone above has mentioned. Works like a charm. Its nice to not have to spend 2 days cleaning the motor of an LT1!! BTW...when you get to having to replace the plugs, the C5 is a BREEZE!!!!! You can take you sweet a$$ time and still have it done in under 2 hours. No more 8 hours (or more if doing the wires too)!!!
Congrats again!!
Simple Green is formulated to work better with cold water. I would recomend that you use it when engine is cold. I usually do it first thing in the A.M.
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