Engine washing ?????
Team Owner
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I honestly don't cover anything..I spray some GUNK Citrus Engine bright on a warm NOT hot engine let it sit a few minutes..crank up the car and gently mist/wash off the dirt...I leave it running awhile after usually just close the hood and wash the car...never a problem
Race Director
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From: Indianapolis IN
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Originally Posted by pewter99
I honestly don't cover anything..I spray some GUNK Citrus Engine bright on a warm NOT hot engine let it sit a few minutes..crank up the car and gently mist/wash off the dirt...I leave it running awhile after usually just close the hood and wash the car...never a problem
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Some have used Simple Green and then a light stream of water to do the trick. I have never washed my engine - just wipe it down every now and then after I was the outside of the car.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Gaithersburg MD
I saw a post a while ago that said NASA stopped using a similar product to simple green because of a deterioation to aluminum parts on aircraft. I'd reasearch it a little further. 
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Some have used Simple Green and then a light stream of water to do the trick. I have never washed my engine - just wipe it down every now and then after I was the outside of the car.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Spread The Virus!!!!!!! Opie and Anthony XM Satellite Radio
I would suggest just wiping it down with a rag with maybe simple green or another cleaner on it. and used compressed air to clean out the hard to reach areas. If you do use water, use a soft stream, don't go nuts and power wash it.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Saraland Alabama
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I vacuum my engine with my shop vac!
There is always a little dust and grit on top of my engine after a day of driving so I simply open the hood and vacuum off all exposed areas. It keeps the under hood area looking like new. I would never consider washing my Vette's engine. After vacuuming I wipe everything with a damp detailing towel. Of course this process only works if you start out with a clean engine, not one that 80,000 miles with no attention.
Products like Fantastic and Simple green are highly corrosive to alumnium and can discolor many items under your hood.
Products like Fantastic and Simple green are highly corrosive to alumnium and can discolor many items under your hood.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: DFW Tx
I cover the air intake filters. Spray the engine down with Simple Green and then wash with garen hose.
Carefull not to spray the intake plenum hard.
Then let the engine idle till it is dry.
I have been doing this for years.
I am curious about the simple green hurting the aluminum. My engine block looks fine.
Carefull not to spray the intake plenum hard.
Then let the engine idle till it is dry.
I have been doing this for years.
I am curious about the simple green hurting the aluminum. My engine block looks fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: North Manchester Indiana
I have always washed my engines....from my old mini truck , street rod and motorcycles. I spray simple green on a cold motor, and rinse with the pressure hose, use low pressure around important stuff. I have NEVER had a water related issue from wahing a motor. Most motors are fairly water proof. Washing helps you find oil seep sooner, keep dirt from building up and holding in heat. I use a turkey baster with a small hose attached to suck up the pooled water on the intake and in nook and crannies to keep it form crusting up..works great. I have never had a corrosion problem from washing , I make sure they are dry and spray SP100 corroson inhibitor on the engines twice a year. The motor is the heart, keep it clean.....inside and out
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by motoracer
I am curious about the simple green hurting the aluminum. My engine block looks fine.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Mont Belvieu Tx
WOAH..... Well, I'd NEVER spray water all over my engine bay.. that's for dern sure. Now.. I do hand wash the components and vaccum out dust and such. I had an IDIOT spray my C4 engine bay down once and it screwed that car over and it was never right again. (Yes yes.. I know.. probably just the optispark..). I just can't see all the electrical components digging having water squirted on them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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I've used a diluted mixture of simple green for years. I just spray everything off with water very well and then take the leaf blower to blow the heavy water off and start and let it idle and run until dry. Never had a problem and my engines look brand new. To each his own. 
MONARTOR
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Originally Posted by 90 droptop
I've used a diluted mixture of simple green for years. I just spray everything off with water very well and then take the leaf blower to blow the heavy water off and start and let it idle and run until dry. Never had a problem and my engines look brand new. To each his own.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
I use my air compressor to blow out grit and such, then I use a damp
cloth and wipe everything down that I can get to. I don't use the
compressor everytime but I do wipe the engine down everytime I wash.
cloth and wipe everything down that I can get to. I don't use the
compressor everytime but I do wipe the engine down everytime I wash.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Murphy TX
40psi air does the trick every time 
Honesly I have a compressor/tank from sears so I can set tire pressures and use air tools at home. I bought a little quick-release accessory kit, one piece of which is just a little trigger/air gun.
Set to 40psi and blow away
It works very well unless you got something wet, such as in rain and then I just hand-wipe as good as possible.
The air stream is PERFECT for cleaning out the runners and indentations in the intake and around the injectors and coil packs. It's also great for the radiator area ... heck it just works great!
Honesly I have a compressor/tank from sears so I can set tire pressures and use air tools at home. I bought a little quick-release accessory kit, one piece of which is just a little trigger/air gun.
Set to 40psi and blow away
It works very well unless you got something wet, such as in rain and then I just hand-wipe as good as possible.The air stream is PERFECT for cleaning out the runners and indentations in the intake and around the injectors and coil packs. It's also great for the radiator area ... heck it just works great!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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From: Manassas VA
I used plain water to rinse my engine yesterday. I had sand and salt water built up from my 4 rainy days at Myrtle Beach last week. I drove through standing water down there from Hurricane Bonnie, then got even more from Charlie right after. When I saw all the sand that had collected in the engine compartment, plus knowing the salt from the rain and the beach that built up, I HAD to spray it down. Gentle pressure for the most part, then wiped dry. No problems.
