My engine bay is filthy!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 59
My engine bay is filthy!
This past week me and a friend have been installing an ECS paxton kit and after we started to really get into it I realized how filthy my engine bay is. All of the metal is getting that faded look especially my alternator and throttle body. There is grime in places I dont think I can reach. Whats the best way to clean up my bay? I got stuck in the rain a couple of times, could that be the culprit? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
Rain isn't any worse than spraying it with a hose while washing it lol. Dilute some degreaser and make sure to wipe it all off very well. Maybe Q-tips for hard to reach places.
Good luck with the install. Congrats on doing it yourself
Good luck with the install. Congrats on doing it yourself
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Gunk engine cleaner on the grungy places... Hit it with a hose.
Lots of people say not to get water on the engine, but after working at a Corvette-only dealership, watching hundreds get steam cleaned with a pressure washer... I can say that not one has ever had an issue with the electrics. We would never wash an LT1 though.
You may want to consider a rubber hood seal by the front bumper flange. It will seriously cut down on dust in the engine bay from normal driving.
Lots of people say not to get water on the engine, but after working at a Corvette-only dealership, watching hundreds get steam cleaned with a pressure washer... I can say that not one has ever had an issue with the electrics. We would never wash an LT1 though.
You may want to consider a rubber hood seal by the front bumper flange. It will seriously cut down on dust in the engine bay from normal driving.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
Gunk engine cleaner on the grungy places... Hit it with a hose.
Lots of people say not to get water on the engine, but after working at a Corvette-only dealership, watching hundreds get steam cleaned with a pressure washer... I can say that not one has ever had an issue with the electrics. We would never wash an LT1 though.
You may want to consider a rubber hood seal by the front bumper flange. It will seriously cut down on dust in the engine bay from normal driving.
Lots of people say not to get water on the engine, but after working at a Corvette-only dealership, watching hundreds get steam cleaned with a pressure washer... I can say that not one has ever had an issue with the electrics. We would never wash an LT1 though.
You may want to consider a rubber hood seal by the front bumper flange. It will seriously cut down on dust in the engine bay from normal driving.
I use this method. I wait until the engine is hot, then I usually go to the do it yourself carwash with the hand wands. Spray the soap on the engine, rest the hood on the hinges. This will let the soap soak and help loosen up stubborn dirt. I then wash the rest of the car, do the rinse etc. Then go back to the engine bay and rinse it off. By the time I get home it is 95% dry. Then I just blot up any left over water and armor all it.
By hand I just use a old wash mit and dish soap. the steps above still apply.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I use to use Simple Green as well but I found a much better product. It's called Brake Dust Remover. I spray the engine with it when cold, let it sit for about 5 minutes and then rinse off with a pressurized garden sprayer. It has just enough pressure to get the job done without causing problems with the electrical connectors. Blow off with a leaf blower and you are good to go.
It's not good for polished aluminum that has not been clearcoated (just like Simple Green) so if you get any on the supercharger rinse it off right away. You can get it here:
http://www.detailsupplyonline.com/index.php?cPath=58
It's not good for polished aluminum that has not been clearcoated (just like Simple Green) so if you get any on the supercharger rinse it off right away. You can get it here:
http://www.detailsupplyonline.com/index.php?cPath=58
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,305
Likes: 1
From: Red city in deep blue Oregon
St. Jude Donor '17
I agree, I have been cleaning my 2000 camaro, vette and silverado(LS6 motor) engines this way for years. As long as you dont use extreme water pressure near electrical connectors you wont have an issue. I also have never had a issue after a cleaning.
I use this method. I wait until the engine is hot, then I usually go to the do it yourself carwash with the hand wands. Spray the soap on the engine, rest the hood on the hinges. This will let the soap soak and help loosen up stubborn dirt. I then wash the rest of the car, do the rinse etc. Then go back to the engine bay and rinse it off. By the time I get home it is 95% dry. Then I just blot up any left over water and armor all it.
By hand I just use a old wash mit and dish soap. the steps above still apply.
I use this method. I wait until the engine is hot, then I usually go to the do it yourself carwash with the hand wands. Spray the soap on the engine, rest the hood on the hinges. This will let the soap soak and help loosen up stubborn dirt. I then wash the rest of the car, do the rinse etc. Then go back to the engine bay and rinse it off. By the time I get home it is 95% dry. Then I just blot up any left over water and armor all it.
By hand I just use a old wash mit and dish soap. the steps above still apply.
+1 for Simple Green.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 59
Awesome tips guys, I cant wait to clean it up. I got the supercharger installed today and boy does this car rip! Thanks for the heads up on some hood seals I could probably use those. What about suspension parts is there any way to clean those up or is the metal always going to look like that?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Awesome tips guys, I cant wait to clean it up. I got the supercharger installed today and boy does this car rip! Thanks for the heads up on some hood seals I could probably use those. What about suspension parts is there any way to clean those up or is the metal always going to look like that?
On the hood seal there are two types, one is junk.
One is a stick on, which is worthless because the adhesive will stop working even if you prep the area.
The second one has you use a pair of pliers and pull out the little plastic clips on the bumper flange (with be hood up they are right on top of bumper flange) and are secured by putting the clips through holes on the rubber strip. Those are good.
A search might turn up more info on where to buy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
With a pressure washer or even a garden hose you just have to be careful not to force water up under the intake... The knock sensors don't like getting wet and if they do, you'll be pulling the intake to repace the leading one at least.
I used Simple Green when I first got mine to get the really grundgy spots clean, installed a High Performnce seal and just pretty much have to wipe the dust off now...
I used Simple Green when I first got mine to get the really grundgy spots clean, installed a High Performnce seal and just pretty much have to wipe the dust off now...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Just an FYI - Simple Green has known issues with aluminum if it's left on.
I use their aircraft stuff for everything
http://gsa.simplegreen.com/gsa_products_extreme.php
I use their aircraft stuff for everything
http://gsa.simplegreen.com/gsa_products_extreme.php