How do you keep your engine bay clean ?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by Zilla
My vette is a garage queen so I never drive it 
Oh, Man! Then you don't know what it's like to have to clean every stinking nook and cranny in the engine bay (when dirty, especially after a rainstorm). Good for you, good buddy! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,170
Likes: 1
From: Kona Hawaii
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
from docman:
Procedure for Detailing Under the Hood
I'm sure someone will find fault with this method, but it works like a champ:
**NOTE** When I say spray down the engine compartment with the hose, I'm talking about very gentle, barely more than a spritz. The idea is to get the visible surfaces wet, not flood the electronics.
1. Start the car and let it idle for 5 minutes to warm it up and then shut it off.
2. Using a vinegar-based glass cleaner like Windex, amply spritz the beauty covers, radiator shroud, hoses, etc. The more the better.
3. Close the hood and go drink a beer.
4. Take your garden hose and wash off the glass cleaner. See note above.
5. Spray Armor-all or equiv. over those same surfaces. Avoid the belts and as many wires, etc. as you can. Use a lot on the fender covers.
6. Close the hood and wash the rest of the car. Keep the hood closed for at least 10 minutes.
When you open up the hood it will look brand new, trust me.
I got this tip from a well-known detailer who has won enough shows to make a believer out of me.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Procedure for Detailing Under the Hood
I'm sure someone will find fault with this method, but it works like a champ:
**NOTE** When I say spray down the engine compartment with the hose, I'm talking about very gentle, barely more than a spritz. The idea is to get the visible surfaces wet, not flood the electronics.
1. Start the car and let it idle for 5 minutes to warm it up and then shut it off.
2. Using a vinegar-based glass cleaner like Windex, amply spritz the beauty covers, radiator shroud, hoses, etc. The more the better.
3. Close the hood and go drink a beer.
4. Take your garden hose and wash off the glass cleaner. See note above.
5. Spray Armor-all or equiv. over those same surfaces. Avoid the belts and as many wires, etc. as you can. Use a lot on the fender covers.
6. Close the hood and wash the rest of the car. Keep the hood closed for at least 10 minutes.
When you open up the hood it will look brand new, trust me.
I got this tip from a well-known detailer who has won enough shows to make a believer out of me.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
Likes: 4
From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Zilla
Okay my vette is not a garage queen it is a daily driver.
Here is my engine bay
Here is my engine bay
somehow I knew you "drove her"
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 5
From: Naples Florida
Originally Posted by V8_Club
Great Tips. Thanks guys. Oh btw my engine isn't that filthy :P. I always keep the plastic parts clean. It looks like new till today. I just want to get to those hard to reach areas and the only way to do that would be by using water. So I wanted to know the correct method for doing so. 
Any other tips & tricks ?
Any other tips & tricks ?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,071
Likes: 0
From: Hoover Alabama
Originally Posted by Johnny_B_Good
Once it's clean you should maintain it. All it takes is about two or three extra minutes when you're finished washing your car. Just wipe off the engine compartment with a damp towel. Do this and it will always look new!!
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,032
Likes: 298
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Originally Posted by V8_Club
I have heard many do's and don'ts here. Very confusing. Please tell me how do you guys do it.
Toque
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There are some great tips here.
I don't have a problem here in Vegas; it never rains
May have a different problem when I get back to England. You can guarantee rain at least once in any week!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't have a problem here in Vegas; it never rains
May have a different problem when I get back to England. You can guarantee rain at least once in any week!!!!!!!!!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by c5BlackBeauty
Try this approach. Just be careful with hosing down the engine. Simple Green will really cut the grease where you should have to hose it down with a lot of pressure.
1. Use Simple Green...excellent de-greaser.
2. Cover the distributor and alternator with plastic bag.
3. If you're going to be using a lot of hose pressure also cover the throttle bodies and the top of the intake manifold.
4. Let the Simple Green setup for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Finally, lightly rinse and rub down with some rags.
1. Use Simple Green...excellent de-greaser.
2. Cover the distributor and alternator with plastic bag.
3. If you're going to be using a lot of hose pressure also cover the throttle bodies and the top of the intake manifold.
4. Let the Simple Green setup for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Finally, lightly rinse and rub down with some rags.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Originally Posted by Shane_S
I havent washed my vette since the day i bought it.
But then again that was only 5 days ago
Shane
But then again that was only 5 days ago
Shane
