Cleaning Engine Bay
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lake Villa IL
Cleaning Engine Bay
Hi, I am looking for some assistance in how to best clean and detail my engine bay. My 04 CE Z06 is registered for Gold Certification at Bloomington Gold in just a few weeks and I'd like to know how to best approach cleaning the engine compartment without putting a hose to it.
Diane Quackenbush
Diane Quackenbush
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Just how dirty is it? On mine, I just wipe down the surface area with a moist Absorber (synthetic chamois) and if there is any grease, I use a little Simple Green on a rag to wipe that area up. I also use an air compressor with a nozzle to blow dust/debris off the engine/suspension area.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lake Villa IL
Cleaning Engine Bay
It's probably not all that bad but there are over 17k miles on the car so it's not like it has never been driven. I don't have an air compressor but I do have a blower. I've heard of Simple Green but never used it. Does it need to be rinsed off? I'm afraid to take a hose to it because...well, it's probably not a real good idea.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
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Don't be afraid of the hose. I actually got the idea from Adams Polishes in one of their earlier videos on how to clean the engine bay. Here's what you do:
1) Spray the engine bay with some form of degreaser or all purpose cleaner. I use 409.
2) Using a soft brush agitate the dirtier portions of the engine.
3) Before turning the hose on to rinse, start your engine. Then and only then, turn on a very light stream of water to rinse it off. The idea behind turning the engine on is if you should see your engine begin to sputter, move the hose off. I have never had my engine sputter.
4) Use a leaf blower to blow out the remaining the water.
5) Wipe down the remaining wet portions.
6) Dress the plastic with your choice of exterior trim treatments
I have used this process on all my cars with no problems
1) Spray the engine bay with some form of degreaser or all purpose cleaner. I use 409.
2) Using a soft brush agitate the dirtier portions of the engine.
3) Before turning the hose on to rinse, start your engine. Then and only then, turn on a very light stream of water to rinse it off. The idea behind turning the engine on is if you should see your engine begin to sputter, move the hose off. I have never had my engine sputter.
4) Use a leaf blower to blow out the remaining the water.
5) Wipe down the remaining wet portions.
6) Dress the plastic with your choice of exterior trim treatments
I have used this process on all my cars with no problems
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
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From: Iowa City Iowa
I agree with hb4lthr, good process. Don't worry about a fine spray of water on your engine, it's designed to tolerate it. You can scrub all day and all night with a rag/brush and it still won't be a clean as a little degreaser/water treatment.
Burning Brakes
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
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I use a bucket of water with some Simple Green in it & wipe with a wet rag. I like to get some detail spray on a rag & wipe the hoses after I'm done, leaves a nice gloss. Good Luck!
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I believe the knock sensor is behind the intake manifold (pain to replace, as is the similarly-positioned smog pump check valve). But regarding cleaning the engine. I spritz some water and simple green solution and then wipe off with paper towels.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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I believe the knock sensor is behind the intake manifold (pain to replace, as is the similarly-positioned smog pump check valve). But regarding cleaning the engine. I spritz some water and simple green solution and then wipe off with paper towels.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
I stayawy from using the hose for reasons stated above.
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I just use the air compressor to blow out the big stuff. Then on to a damp rag, and if you want dampen it with something you don't mind using. Then dry off with a clean rag. It will sparkle. If it doesn't meet up to your expectations then you will have to get more aggressive. But I am pretty sure you won't have to go to that far. The engine bay cleans up quite well. 
Safety Car
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From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
Like I said 3 years no problem. I've used it on every car I have had. I spray it down, then spray with 2 parts water 1 part simple green. Then I spray it off and dry it! 
