Cleaning Engine Compartment Routine
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 538
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From: Geneva, IL Bring back the Chief!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14,'19-'20-'21-'22
Cleaning Engine Compartment Routine
Had baby for a month now and she's kinda dusty/dirty under the hood.
On previous "non vette" vehicles, like my Silverado, I used to take a power washer to the engine compartment. Did a reasonable job.
But vettes are different. I know.
Anybody got down the method for the vette?
On previous "non vette" vehicles, like my Silverado, I used to take a power washer to the engine compartment. Did a reasonable job.
But vettes are different. I know.
Anybody got down the method for the vette?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I use a 4:1 dilution of water:Simple Green sprayed onto a COLD engine.
Let is soak 5 minutes and then powerwash.
I covered the alternator and the battery with plastic(grocery store) bags.
If it is warm and sunny let it dry on its own. If it needs help use compressed air or a leaf blower.
Did the whole engine compartment including the hood liner . Note don't try and brush the hoodliner. Either vaccuum it or spray, powerwash and let drip dry.
Let is soak 5 minutes and then powerwash.
I covered the alternator and the battery with plastic(grocery store) bags.
If it is warm and sunny let it dry on its own. If it needs help use compressed air or a leaf blower.
Did the whole engine compartment including the hood liner . Note don't try and brush the hoodliner. Either vaccuum it or spray, powerwash and let drip dry.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 9
From: Geneva, IL Bring back the Chief!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14,'19-'20-'21-'22
Originally Posted by rws.1
I use a 4:1 dilution of water:Simple Green sprayed onto a COLD engine.
Let is soak 5 minutes and then powerwash.
I covered the alternator and the battery with plastic(grocery store) bags.
If it is warm and sunny let it dry on its own. If it needs help use compressed air or a leaf blower.
Did the whole engine compartment including the hood liner . Note don't try and brush the hoodliner. Either vaccuum it or spray, powerwash and let drip dry.
Let is soak 5 minutes and then powerwash.
I covered the alternator and the battery with plastic(grocery store) bags.
If it is warm and sunny let it dry on its own. If it needs help use compressed air or a leaf blower.
Did the whole engine compartment including the hood liner . Note don't try and brush the hoodliner. Either vaccuum it or spray, powerwash and let drip dry.
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: McKinney TX
With every car I've owned, vette included, I run up to the local power wash and have a field day. Try to avoid spraying the alternator and you're fine. It's usually mostly dry by time I drive home, and I towel off the rest.
The engine gets wet when when you drive in the rain or through a puddle, the power wash won't hurt it, just don't soak the alternator or air filter.
The engine gets wet when when you drive in the rain or through a puddle, the power wash won't hurt it, just don't soak the alternator or air filter.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
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From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by rws.1
I use a 4:1 dilution of water:Simple Green sprayed onto a COLD engine.
Let is soak 5 minutes and then powerwash.
I covered the alternator and the battery with plastic(grocery store) bags.
If it is warm and sunny let it dry on its own. If it needs help use compressed air or a leaf blower.
Did the whole engine compartment including the hood liner . Note don't try and brush the hoodliner. Either vaccuum it or spray, powerwash and let drip dry.
Let is soak 5 minutes and then powerwash.
I covered the alternator and the battery with plastic(grocery store) bags.
If it is warm and sunny let it dry on its own. If it needs help use compressed air or a leaf blower.
Did the whole engine compartment including the hood liner . Note don't try and brush the hoodliner. Either vaccuum it or spray, powerwash and let drip dry.
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Have it warm to begin with, not hot so that steam sizzles off, but warm enough to have a sensation of warmth coming off it.
Spray your simple green, hose it off and then go drive it. If you don't drive it then you will probably end up with water spots or it will take forever to dry. I don't think it will rack your block because the engine will already be mildy warm, and so will the water and as the engine heats up, the water won't be that much colder.
Spray your simple green, hose it off and then go drive it. If you don't drive it then you will probably end up with water spots or it will take forever to dry. I don't think it will rack your block because the engine will already be mildy warm, and so will the water and as the engine heats up, the water won't be that much colder.
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I would Not recommend any power washing or full stream water. Many people have had major issues with contaminated knock sensors.
My engine looks as good as the day I bought it.. just a little wipe down with some Zaino gloss enhancer..my car is six years old and has over 60,000 miles on it...
here are a few recent pics....
My engine looks as good as the day I bought it.. just a little wipe down with some Zaino gloss enhancer..my car is six years old and has over 60,000 miles on it...
here are a few recent pics....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by CoastalRAP
Just be careful when putting Simple Green on aluminum. The alkalinity of Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
I would Not recommend any power washing or full stream water. Many people have had major issues with contaminated knock sensors.
My engine looks as good as the day I bought it.. just a little wipe down with some Zaino gloss enhancer..my car is six years old and has over 60,000 miles on it...
here are a few recent pics....
My engine looks as good as the day I bought it.. just a little wipe down with some Zaino gloss enhancer..my car is six years old and has over 60,000 miles on it...
here are a few recent pics....
as usual, ET is spot on. I never understood the powerwash fascination under the hood. I have a '97 with 59,000 miles. I have never repeat never even sprayed water under my hood. I wash the car and simply wipe off the excess water with a towel and use some Armorall cleaning wipes and detailing wipes to brighten things up. I do recommend adding a hood seal as I find that it really keeps the dust and debris down to a minimum. Anyway, to each their own, but here's mine.Paul
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 590
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From: Saratoga CA
Originally Posted by c3andc5
I take the shop vac to mine at least once a week. Takes about five mins max and gets all the sand, dust, etc without the worry and mess of spraying water in my engine compartment.
I also use Swiffer dusters to get into the hard to reach places. Works great. 20,000 miles and engine looks the same as the day I brought it home.
Le Mans Master
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From: Time is a great teacher. Unfortunately, it kills all its pupils.
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St. Jude Donor '07
Compressed air and a wipe down with a little Armor All about once a week or at least every other week.
Stay on top of it and it never gets dirty enough for any real scrubbing.
Stay on top of it and it never gets dirty enough for any real scrubbing.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
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"Slower Azz Dog"
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Tire Foam Trick
I have been using Tire Foam for years on all my cars.
Use Gunk engine clean, let soak a few minutes, hose off, let engine dry.
Spray all surfaces, belts, rubber, plastic etc. with tire foam and let dry. Wipe off any excess later.
You will have a brand new looking engine compartment. It works absolutely great.
When running engine to temp first time, you might get just a wiff of smoke, don't worry, will stop.
I dont let my engines get dirty, but I have taken some friends car from a disgrace to great looking in about 20 minutes using this method.
If the tire foam companies saw what it did to an engine compartment, they would have a new commercial very quickly.
BTW, The silver Vette engine compartment above is absolutely great looking
Use Gunk engine clean, let soak a few minutes, hose off, let engine dry.
Spray all surfaces, belts, rubber, plastic etc. with tire foam and let dry. Wipe off any excess later.
You will have a brand new looking engine compartment. It works absolutely great.
When running engine to temp first time, you might get just a wiff of smoke, don't worry, will stop.
I dont let my engines get dirty, but I have taken some friends car from a disgrace to great looking in about 20 minutes using this method.
If the tire foam companies saw what it did to an engine compartment, they would have a new commercial very quickly.
BTW, The silver Vette engine compartment above is absolutely great looking
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
THis is no flame on anyone, but I have never understood the powerwash under the hood either... you could not pay me enough money to do that on my car. Too many electrical compenents, grounds etc that the water could get on to. These cars are already sensitive enough electrically without blasting XXX PSI of water...no thanks.
I would rather use a much safer method as others have said here.
I would rather use a much safer method as others have said here.
