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Engine cleaning

Old Jul 16, 2016 | 01:17 PM
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Default Engine cleaning

Quick question I want to clean my engine compartment what suggestions do you guys have about covering electonics. Im sure fuse box and battery but under the fuel rail covers how bout that area kind of dirty there. Thanks replys are welcome.
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Kj814fun
Quick question I want to clean my engine compartment what suggestions do you guys have about covering electonics. Im sure fuse box and battery but under the fuel rail covers how bout that area kind of dirty there. Thanks replys are welcome.
you should just do a search here, this subject has been covered many times ????
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Kj814fun
Quick question I want to clean my engine compartment what suggestions do you guys have about covering electonics. Im sure fuse box and battery but under the fuel rail covers how bout that area kind of dirty there. Thanks replys are welcome.
The following will be typical of the replies you'll receive...

It shouldn't be dirty

Mine's spotless and I never wash my car.

If it's a daily driver, unless it gets in the way of steering, leave it dirty

Use the green crap but it will kill you if taken intravenously

Don't use pressure except when it comes to blow-drying.

If using blow-dry method, corded ones can scratch the paint, gas ones
Spew crap all over....try another method but for goodness sake
Don't use on the car whatever you used to dry the engine.

There will be other less controversial ideas

Last edited by Murray Anderson; Jul 16, 2016 at 01:30 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 02:27 PM
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Default Engine cleaning

Originally Posted by Kj814fun
Quick question I want to clean my engine compartment what suggestions do you guys have about covering electonics. Im sure fuse box and battery but under the fuel rail covers how bout that area kind of dirty there. Thanks replys are welcome.
Under the fuel rail covers you will be fine to spray the entire area with purple power or simple green, then rinse with a fine spray, no strong streams that may force water into areas like wire connectors and such. Blow dry with a blower if you have it.

Cover the alternator with a plastic bag to avoid water in that area. And avoid water by your intake filter if you have an open element aftermarket kind. And as you mentioned keep water away from the battery and fuses area.

Last edited by imgn tht; Jul 16, 2016 at 02:40 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 02:37 PM
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DON'T do it while the engine is HOT...
IF you do it at a car wash with the hand held wand rinse it with the soft rinse spray....
USE your LEAF BLOWER to dry it off as soon as you get finished rinsing it off...
It's designed to stand some moisture, when driving in the rain it has to get some water under the hood... it won't ruin it
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 02:48 PM
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Not to disagree with Steve (73corvette) but I do mine hot, when hot all the junk comes off easier, and when hot the conections are expanded and seal better, then everything drys much faster and better when hot !!!! my 2 cents
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 03:03 PM
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I give everything a coat of simple green and lightly rinse until bubbles are gone. Works really well. On the actual engine I usually use brake clean


I do mine hot too

Last edited by v8srfun; Jul 16, 2016 at 03:04 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 04:34 PM
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Since like dissolves like, I use a petroleum based plastic protector cleaner spray, and rinse the dirt and grime away with the spray bottle. Leaves a nice look, and is low pressure no rinse so it doesn't cause trouble. Not that cheap, but very easy.

The downside is the grime flows to the bottom of the engine, so it just moves the crud around , it is not really a cleaning method , but it looks good, on top.
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by v8srfun
I give everything a coat of simple green and lightly rinse until bubbles are gone. Works really well. On the actual engine I usually use brake clean


I do mine hot too
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