How do you keep your engine compartment clean?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 867
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
Wal mart aerosol engine cleaner at $0.99/can and a garden hose. Pressure washer at the car wash if it's real bad. Hey guys, it's just an engine....
Last edited by rikhek; Dec 18, 2005 at 07:47 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
The new engines just run so clean and it is so easy. I sold my 97 Z-28 camaro when I bought my 03 vette. The guy who bought it could not believe how clean the engine compartment was. I used compressed air most of the time. But at each oil change I put simple green on the COLD engine, let it sit for 10 ro 15 minutes, then hosed it off, not a hard nozzel spray, just gentle. Blew it dry then wiped it down.
So for 24k later, my vette is super clean. Only compress air, and a damp cloth wipe down. It stays soooooo clean without much help from me. I love it.
So for 24k later, my vette is super clean. Only compress air, and a damp cloth wipe down. It stays soooooo clean without much help from me. I love it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 6
From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I would never spray any cleaners like Simple Green under the hood of any car. They will corrode anything made of alluminum such as your a/c compressor, alternator, etc.
Just think about how many times you have looked at beatifully clean engine bays at car shows and seen terrible looking a/c compressors and alternators. They were cleaned with Simple Green or similar cleaning products.
Just think about how many times you have looked at beatifully clean engine bays at car shows and seen terrible looking a/c compressors and alternators. They were cleaned with Simple Green or similar cleaning products.
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 FLACHUSNRET
I would never spray any cleaners like Simple Green under the hood of any car. They will corrode anything made of alluminum such as your a/c compressor, alternator, etc.
Just think about how many times you have looked at beatifully clean engine bays at car shows and seen terrible looking a/c compressors and alternators. They were cleaned with Simple Green or similar cleaning products.
Just think about how many times you have looked at beatifully clean engine bays at car shows and seen terrible looking a/c compressors and alternators. They were cleaned with Simple Green or similar cleaning products.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 3
From: Va Beach VA
Hood seal works. Had one for a few months then took it off. Big difference. Leaf blower every car wash (4-6 days between) Nylon bottle brush for crevices with 409 spray. Cover everything rubber or plastic with foaming tire cleaner/shine stuff, and shut the hood
Burnout
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 12
From: South Surrey (White Rock) British Columbia
Originally Posted by Dark-Knight
I wipe the campartment down with a damp cloth every week when I wash the car.
mrgil
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I have been using Simple Green for over 10 years on engines, rims, tires, rear ends, etc. Never a dulling issuse.
Dry it all off, plus I use mother mag wheel polish on the alternator and such parts
Dry it all off, plus I use mother mag wheel polish on the alternator and such parts
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
Originally Posted by FLACHUSNRET
I would never spray any cleaners like Simple Green under the hood of any car. They will corrode anything made of alluminum such as your a/c compressor, alternator, etc.
Just think about how many times you have looked at beatifully clean engine bays at car shows and seen terrible looking a/c compressors and alternators. They were cleaned with Simple Green or similar cleaning products.
Just think about how many times you have looked at beatifully clean engine bays at car shows and seen terrible looking a/c compressors and alternators. They were cleaned with Simple Green or similar cleaning products.
Right you are. SG full strength anyway can/will eat on alum and probably other stuff (ie. soften paint/powdercoat). As for diluting it with h2o? Don't know, never tried, don't plan too (that stuff is too harsh for me and I dont want to make the mistake of using it full strength).
FWIW: To cut grease/oil I use Silkolene Pro Wash (motorcycle cleaner), it's petrolium based (key) so won't eat alum or paint. I shoot the whole bike with Pro Wash, let sit for 5 mins or so, then hose off and it's clean as a bean.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 47
From: Indianapolis IN
Originally Posted by John Lardner
How do you guys clean the hood liner? Mine is getting dusty lookin'.
I've only had my 2002 for a few months, but so far, I do this:
- To remove the surface stuff, I use a lint roller
- To get the stuff that looks like it has soaked in, I spray a little mild degreaser/cleaner on it and then blot it with a towel (just dab the towel against the hood liner, don't drag it across the hood liner as that will disturb the nap).
These steps seem to do a decent job of getting it cleaner, but I'd love to hear what other people do.
