Wash My Engine Darn It!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Guess it & Win a Rock, s&h only $4.95 New Mexico
Wash My Engine Darn It!
Hi, I'm CircledWagons.
I am a new member with a new-to-me 2000 Pewter Coupe - my newest wagon, and I need your help.
My other wagon, a ricer has a tendency to get water in some obscure filter in the engine. So I can't wash the engine without having to take
it to the dealer and get the filter replaced.
So, as you all might imagine, I am real hesitant about washing my Vette's engine - even though it wants me to.
My questions are, is there anything under the hood that I need to be especially careful not to get water into when I wash it? And, can I use an engine cleaner foam?
Thanks.
I am a new member with a new-to-me 2000 Pewter Coupe - my newest wagon, and I need your help.
My other wagon, a ricer has a tendency to get water in some obscure filter in the engine. So I can't wash the engine without having to take
it to the dealer and get the filter replaced.
So, as you all might imagine, I am real hesitant about washing my Vette's engine - even though it wants me to.
My questions are, is there anything under the hood that I need to be especially careful not to get water into when I wash it? And, can I use an engine cleaner foam?
Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
I always recommend against high pressure water or air on electrical harnesses. You don't want to push water into the connectors.
I like to use a hot diluted mixture of Simple Green and a long bristled brush. Use the brush to get into as many places as you can. Spray full strength Simple Green into tough places. Rinse with more warm water and hand dry with towels. Having different brushes to get into different places can also be a help.
Spraying the entire engine bay with a water based tire shine helps give it a showroom new look. After the tire shine begins drying, go over it one more time with a towel to pick up any excess.
I like to use a hot diluted mixture of Simple Green and a long bristled brush. Use the brush to get into as many places as you can. Spray full strength Simple Green into tough places. Rinse with more warm water and hand dry with towels. Having different brushes to get into different places can also be a help.
Spraying the entire engine bay with a water based tire shine helps give it a showroom new look. After the tire shine begins drying, go over it one more time with a towel to pick up any excess.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I always recommend against high pressure water or air on electrical harnesses. You don't want to push water into the connectors.
I like to use a hot diluted mixture of Simple Green and a long bristled brush. Use the brush to get into as many places as you can. Spray full strength Simple Green into tough places. Rinse with more warm water and hand dry with towels. Having different brushes to get into different places can also be a help.
Spraying the entire engine bay with a water based tire shine helps give it a showroom new look. After the tire shine begins drying, go over it one more time with a towel to pick up any excess.
I like to use a hot diluted mixture of Simple Green and a long bristled brush. Use the brush to get into as many places as you can. Spray full strength Simple Green into tough places. Rinse with more warm water and hand dry with towels. Having different brushes to get into different places can also be a help.
Spraying the entire engine bay with a water based tire shine helps give it a showroom new look. After the tire shine begins drying, go over it one more time with a towel to pick up any excess.
You don't want to force water where it was not intended to go.I've done the tire shine thing b4 and it looks nice.
NO QUARTER CARWASH HIGH PRESSURE
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
The only thing to really watch is the alternator...
http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_15.aspx
Speed
http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_15.aspx
Speed
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: West Chester PA
.....Just be Careful
to watch where the water goes ....... Sometimes just a bucket of water with a towel can work just as good and if you have a compressor, that is a great tool for "blowing" it off first with the airgun!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
From: N East fl
I look at it this way, Spraying the engine is just trying to take the easy way out. Its not a farm pickup truck take some time and wipe it down by hand. In the end you'll be a little more tired but all in all you'll be tons happier.. just my 2 cents.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
There are always talks on these forums about the crazy electrical gremlins. Many times the cause is a plug in the engine bay being either dirty at the connection of it or loose. High pressure water can cause this. Not saying it will and that it shouldn't be used. But if you do clean that way just go around and maybe clean all the plug connections and make sure they are on there tight.
Best of luck and show clean engine bay pics when done
Best of luck and show clean engine bay pics when done
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I spray a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water on a cold engine and let it soak in for a while. Then I use the hose to rinse it off. This gets most of the dirt off and I use a shop towel to clean expecially dirty areas. Once I have the engine compartment rinsed I close the hood and start the car and let it idle until the water has evaporated from the engine. Been doing this for 20 years on all my cars including two C5s and haven't had any problems.
Bill
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 420
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
The only thing to really watch is the alternator...
http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_15.aspx
Speed
http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_15.aspx
Speed
Water doesn't hurt the alternator. Look where they mount one in a Beechcraft Bonanza...................right up front where it gets well washed in rain.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesimpleleaf/451938259/
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
I spray a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water on a cold engine and let it soak in for a while. Then I use the hose to rinse it off. This gets most of the dirt off and I use a shop towel to clean expecially dirty areas. Once I have the engine compartment rinsed I close the hood and start the car and let it idle until the water has evaporated from the engine. Been doing this for 20 years on all my cars including two C5s and haven't had any problems.
Bill
Bill
I believe it was your post I read a month or so ago about cleaning engine/compartment, followed your directions, my brother told me to be sure to cover alternator/fuse box with a plastic bag, and yep, everything came out clean and working perfectly. So thanks for that tip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
I'm always a little uncomfortable spraying water under the hood. But I also have steam cleaned a few and always stay away from air filters, alternators, carbs, and distributors as best I can.
In the 'Vette, you don't have to worry about carbs and distributors though of course.
I was curious if ya'll were removing your fuel rail covers to clean under them? Seems water shouldn't be on the coils (or whatever called).
yes/no?
In the 'Vette, you don't have to worry about carbs and distributors though of course.
I was curious if ya'll were removing your fuel rail covers to clean under them? Seems water shouldn't be on the coils (or whatever called).
yes/no?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 104
From: Orange County California
Here's a good thread on engine cleaning. Recommended to keep the engine running while hosing/rinsing, so any problems can be identified instantly.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=engine
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=engine
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 35
From: Godfrey IL
Water doesn't hurt the alternator. Look where they mount one in a Beechcraft Bonanza...................right up front where it gets well washed in rain.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesimpleleaf/451938259/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thesimpleleaf/451938259/
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 420
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
Where do you get the idea that a prop would be designed to direct air anywhere but in the thrust line?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
I was curious if ya'll were removing your fuel rail covers to clean under them? Seems water shouldn't be on the coils (or whatever called).
yes/no?[/QUOTE]
Actually when I cleaned mine, under the fuel rail covers was the dirtiest part, so yep, fuel rail covers came off, a nice spray of Simple Green, set a while, a little scrubbing and a mild rinse off, wipe down, engine start, and a small "spirited" run, to 'run' all the water off.
yes/no?[/QUOTE]
Actually when I cleaned mine, under the fuel rail covers was the dirtiest part, so yep, fuel rail covers came off, a nice spray of Simple Green, set a while, a little scrubbing and a mild rinse off, wipe down, engine start, and a small "spirited" run, to 'run' all the water off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Thanks Renagad44, when I popped one of my covers off, that seemed to be the dirtiest place so far. I would think a hosing or pressure wash would be out of the question. A "misting" makes sense.