Engine cleaning question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 546
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
Engine cleaning question
I know this probably has been covered here but I need to ask.... After seeing pics of fellow members engines and how spic & span everything looks - just how do you keep that area so clean? I seem to remember reading that some folks spray the engine and surrounding area with Simple Green and gently hose off. Is it really that easy? Are there certian areas that should be avoided getting hit with the hose?
Thanks for any advice and if you can share a pic of your spotless engine, Id appreciate it
Thanks for any advice and if you can share a pic of your spotless engine, Id appreciate it
Last edited by cal45; Oct 30, 2010 at 06:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I use just dish soap and water, I used simple green once and it destroyed my alt and water pump finish, You have to delute it down before using it and besure to take it off right away. Soap and water works for me.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
Last edited by Mr.Bill; Oct 30, 2010 at 07:27 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
I usually take a damp rag and wipe everything down when it is just dust.
If there is oil or grease, I lightly spray with mild soap and then use a spray bottle with water to prevent getting too much water around the electronics.
I hose off the lower parts under the hood (frame, etc) and haven't had any issues.
It also helps to start with a clean engine bay and "touch up" often.
If there is oil or grease, I lightly spray with mild soap and then use a spray bottle with water to prevent getting too much water around the electronics.
I hose off the lower parts under the hood (frame, etc) and haven't had any issues.
It also helps to start with a clean engine bay and "touch up" often.
Last edited by TN Vette; Oct 30, 2010 at 07:25 PM. Reason: added 2nd pic
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 38
From: Westchester County, NY
Mr Bill is right again!
Be very careful with Simple Green since it quickly removes finishes and must be diluted. I know Adams makes a great product .He is a vendor here. A damp rag with a mild soap weekly should be sufficient after the engine is cleaned thoroughly. If you use a hose, turn the engine on immediately after and let it run. You might also use a leaf blower.
Be very careful with Simple Green since it quickly removes finishes and must be diluted. I know Adams makes a great product .He is a vendor here. A damp rag with a mild soap weekly should be sufficient after the engine is cleaned thoroughly. If you use a hose, turn the engine on immediately after and let it run. You might also use a leaf blower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Mr Bill is right again!
Be very careful with Simple Green since it quickly removes finishes and must be diluted. I know Adams makes a great product .He is a vendor here. A damp rag with a mild soap weekly should be sufficient after the engine is cleaned thoroughly. If you use a hose, turn the engine on immediately after and let it run. You might also use a leaf blower.
Be very careful with Simple Green since it quickly removes finishes and must be diluted. I know Adams makes a great product .He is a vendor here. A damp rag with a mild soap weekly should be sufficient after the engine is cleaned thoroughly. If you use a hose, turn the engine on immediately after and let it run. You might also use a leaf blower.
Also to get the hood liner looking like new again just spray it down a few times, it does take a long time to dry though but sure looks great afterwords.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
i use purple power on mine...used greased lightning before too. The very first thing i do is cover my alternator (being careful not to get in the way of the pully) with a rag. I will spray my COOL engine with either said cleaner. I usually take my fuel rail covers and clean them on the ground before i start the motor. Take everyones advice about not letting it sit! Afterwards immediately get the hose and GENTLEY spray the motor. IMO its best to have a multi use nozzle and select gentle spray going side to side in a brisk motion. I wipe the excess water off in areas i can reach and then start the car and let it run for about 10min with the hood up in the bright sun. I may use a lil armoral on the plastics for that extra shine.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
2 parts water and 1 part simple green in a spray bottle. I've been doing it for 3 years with no problem. I use it on all my cars/trucks.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
What do you call the deal around the battery and fuse box, mine is missing and I sure would like to replace it
Last edited by mojo1; Oct 31, 2010 at 10:14 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,683
Likes: 3
From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
I don't have this Vette anymore (wish I did)- but I had just stripped the factory coating off of the wheels and detailed the engine- both done with a can of spray (not the SAME spray, of course
)
)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 546
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
Appreciate all the great info and pics, folks!
TN Vette - this is the way I'll go as my engine bay is clean (just dusty) as I bought my 03 last yr w/just 4500 miles on her and now has 8600. As a matter of fact, just came in from going over with a damp rag and all looks great (to my eye anyway)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
I bought my 99 coupe with 38,000 miles this past February.
You could eat under the hood when I got it and I have "touched up" over the past 6 months and 6000 more miles several times and it still looks as good or better than when I bought it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,527
Likes: 914
From: Communist Colorado
75k miles and stilll puuurty.....and this was before I did the cam and reeealy had a chance to clean things up! Now she has 82k on it and its still clean. I rinse and hand dry it a couple times a year.
Last edited by 81c3; Oct 31, 2010 at 05:01 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,300
Likes: 24,575
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Luckily when I bought my car the engine bay was very clean. So all I have to do is wipe it down each time I detail the car. If there is some grease anywhere, I just use a rag and spray a little Simple Green on it and wipe the grease off.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Palmetto FL
Hi everyone, what do you use to degrease the part of the aluminum block that is visiible (below the rail covers on the sides? My bay looks great but there is some light grease buildup I would like to remove there..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,452
Likes: 1,041
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified