Shampoo engine or not?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 4,351
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hose(use some good judgment around electronics), bucket of soapy water, towel. Armor-all and a couple more towels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 726
I would suggest taking some electrical diagnostic automobile classes before you start cleaning the engine bay. Its not just the water you might move a wire that's on its last leg and can cause havoc.
P.S. im not kinding.
P.S. im not kinding.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I start by blowing all the loose debris and pollen out with a leaf blower. Then, I go with warm water and dawn dish soap. It cuts grease. Wipe everything down. It works great.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 256
Likes: 96
When i was shopping around for a c4, it was strongly advised to not spray water anywhere.
I've washed engines before but covered alternator and electrical stuff as much as I can.
Just wanted to get everyone's opinion on the matter since you guys know the c5 better than I do.
I've washed engines before but covered alternator and electrical stuff as much as I can.
Just wanted to get everyone's opinion on the matter since you guys know the c5 better than I do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I certainly don't just take a hose to the engine bay. You just have to be smart about it though. It's fine for things to get a little wet, but you definitely don't want to soak your electronic components.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 1,690
From: North Coast
I have been using it to remove oil on a 911 engine. It has been working great.
Spray brush and then use a spray bottle with water to flush to better control it.
If it works on this engine it would work great on a LS with less crud.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
My engine bay gets dirtier and wetter than most due to my hood louvers. I've never once had an issue. Granted, the car is stored in a garage, and I usually avoid the rain. However, water definitely still gets in there when I wash the car.
This time of year, I get a TON of pollen in there. As I said above, I don't hit it with a hose, but dawn and a damp towel works great. A little bit of water is fine. A lot isn't.
This time of year, I get a TON of pollen in there. As I said above, I don't hit it with a hose, but dawn and a damp towel works great. A little bit of water is fine. A lot isn't.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,696
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
Elbow grease and rags would be my choice....My engine has never been dirty enough to use other than old microfiber towels, and maybe simple green, usually just a squirt bottle with water...Just one less problem I have to worry about with the electronics under the hood....Even if the engine bay was a complete disaster, I'd still do it by hand...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 892
From: Nappytown MD
After you get it clean, this product works great to make it look detailed. I spray the coil covers, intake and all of the plastic/reservoirs under the hood. Makes everything look fresh. Better than Armorall. Spray the wiper cowl too!
