Dusty Motor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 6
From: Campbell CA
I got this from the Forum - and it works so well people will think you spent hours on it - but it only takes minutes.
Warm the engine up a bit - not HOT, just good and warm - then shut it off.
Liberally spray Windex on the surfaces - really soak it - avoiding the electrical stuff.
Close hood for about 10 minutes or so and let it cook a bit.
Rinse off Windex with a garden hose - don't soak it, just a good spray will get rid off all the junk on your engine. Again - avoid electrical stuff.
At this point I then mop up the water.
Then spray inside with Armorall - this time avoid the belts and pullys.
Close hood and let cook some more.
Open hood and clean up any excess.
My car at 70k+ miles looks showroom new under the hood.
Good luck.
Warm the engine up a bit - not HOT, just good and warm - then shut it off.
Liberally spray Windex on the surfaces - really soak it - avoiding the electrical stuff.
Close hood for about 10 minutes or so and let it cook a bit.
Rinse off Windex with a garden hose - don't soak it, just a good spray will get rid off all the junk on your engine. Again - avoid electrical stuff.
At this point I then mop up the water.
Then spray inside with Armorall - this time avoid the belts and pullys.
Close hood and let cook some more.
Open hood and clean up any excess.
My car at 70k+ miles looks showroom new under the hood.
Good luck.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,656
Likes: 24,661
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
A gentle application of water will usually rinse all the dust off. Just be sure to avoid all those electrical connectors.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Originally Posted by GOZ2FST
I got this from the Forum - and it works so well people will think you spent hours on it - but it only takes minutes.
Warm the engine up a bit - not HOT, just good and warm - then shut it off.
Liberally spray Windex on the surfaces - really soak it - avoiding the electrical stuff.
Close hood for about 10 minutes or so and let it cook a bit.
Rinse off Windex with a garden hose - don't soak it, just a good spray will get rid off all the junk on your engine. Again - avoid electrical stuff.
At this point I then mop up the water.
Then spray inside with Armorall - this time avoid the belts and pullys.
Close hood and let cook some more.
Open hood and clean up any excess.
My car at 70k+ miles looks showroom new under the hood.
Good luck.
Warm the engine up a bit - not HOT, just good and warm - then shut it off.
Liberally spray Windex on the surfaces - really soak it - avoiding the electrical stuff.
Close hood for about 10 minutes or so and let it cook a bit.
Rinse off Windex with a garden hose - don't soak it, just a good spray will get rid off all the junk on your engine. Again - avoid electrical stuff.
At this point I then mop up the water.
Then spray inside with Armorall - this time avoid the belts and pullys.
Close hood and let cook some more.
Open hood and clean up any excess.
My car at 70k+ miles looks showroom new under the hood.
Good luck.
I asked the same question a few months back and GOZ2FST gave me the same answer. I tried it and it worked very well. You'll still need to get your bottle of windex and squirt a few problem areas and clean them with a rag, but overall, it worked very well.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Tomball Texas
Dusty motor
Originally Posted by Aggie99
Hey guys,
Any recommendations on cleaning up the engine?
Thanks
Any recommendations on cleaning up the engine?
Thanks
Aggie,
First, get out of college station and drive to Austin, way less dust on the roads!! Seriously, I understand everones hesitance to go up to the local car wash and use high pressure, but if it is done carfully and correctly you'll be ok. Use the pre-soak (it's usually hot water) spray that on a luke warm motor - NOT HOT -. Then take the high pressure soap and rinse everthing off, switching to plain rinse water. I would try not to spray water into the open area of the alternator, but the connectors are all GM weather pack connectors. If you un plug your hood light, plug it back in - you dont want any open electrical plugs. Rinse everything else off and dry accordingly. I would also try not to use Armorall as this is the universal dust magnet. My 2 pennies -
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 5
From: Germantown, TN
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
A gentle application of water will usually rinse all the dust off. Just be sure to avoid all those electrical connectors.
I have also used Simple Green(The biodegadable one) it is very gentle, cleans like crazy, and will not eat thru your hoses!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
To End Dust, use endust
My car is over five years old and has 55,000 miles on it.. my car has never seen any water.... this picture was taken a week ago..
My car is over five years old and has 55,000 miles on it.. my car has never seen any water.... this picture was taken a week ago..
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Oct 20, 2004 at 11:30 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
To End Dust, use endust
Hey E-T, are you serious or just joking as usual. I've thought about using it instead of Armorall and wondered if it would work.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I have heard of the anti-knock sensors corroding due to people washing the engine compartment. If you do wash it make sure you go for a good run afterwords to make sure no water is left in there. I simply use my compressor and blow out most of the crap. And surprisingly it get 80-90% of it. I then use old terry towels and clean the rest of it. Since I got the hood seal not much gets dirty in there. Not like before I had the seal installed. There's my .02 Hope it helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 6
From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I use my shop vacuum to vacuum all the grit and dust under my hood. Try it ! It works great but I would not use it if you have leaking gas in any part of your engine compartment.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Elkton MD
I'm suprised that no one has mentioned this method. If your engine is not excessively greasy/oily (never happen on a vette, right) a leaf blower will work miracles on dirt and dust under your hood. In addition, it's blindingly quick and thorough. It will get dirt you didn't even know was there. Of course be careful near the painted surfaces of your front fenders. (not a real problem though) Just remember, wet electronics can mean big bucks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
there's a good idea ... especially here in florida, spray down your engine with water that way the engine & all the nuts and bolts that keep it together will corrode nicely.
also, i've heard of water leaking in through the intake and hydolocking the car. So be careful with whatever you do and the word of the day will be moderation.
also, i've heard of water leaking in through the intake and hydolocking the car. So be careful with whatever you do and the word of the day will be moderation.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,699
Likes: 4,542
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
I use my air compressor to get every last nook and cranny dust free. It also comes in handy when drying the car around those hard to dry places such as the mirrors, emblems and the center cap lug nut area.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster OH
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by jdmvette
I use my air compressor to get every last nook and cranny dust free. It also comes in handy when drying the car around those hard to dry places such as the mirrors, emblems and the center cap lug nut area.
