Clean engine
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dix Hills NY
Clean engine
OK guys, How does everyone get their engines so clean??? Mine looks filthy and I can't see hosing it down with all that electrical mass around. Is steam an option or does everyone use a tooth brush????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,186
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
Personally, I don't spray any water around the engine compartment. There is is just to mush electrical stuff and potential for creating problems, not worth it. Most guys I know keep up with it at regular intervals so it doesn't get out of hand. I use wipes like you would use in your interior and wipe everything down. You can do it a little at a time when you are bored and before you know it, the engine compartment is all spiffy.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Do NOT spray down the engine bay. A high volume of water can damage the electronics. Especially sensitive are the knock sensors under the intake manifold. If water puddles on them you can kiss them goodbye. You’ll be pulling the intake to replace them.
Look & search in the forum’s “car care discussion” section for hints on cleaning the engine bay.
A method I use is a diluted solution of Simple Green applied with a paintbrush. Depending upon the location, I sometimes rinse off the solution with a small watering can with a spout to direct the water, followed by a wipe down with rags. Sometimes I simply skip the water rinse and wipe off with rags.
There are most likely better ideas/methods out there, but NEVER flood the engine bay with water.
Look & search in the forum’s “car care discussion” section for hints on cleaning the engine bay.
A method I use is a diluted solution of Simple Green applied with a paintbrush. Depending upon the location, I sometimes rinse off the solution with a small watering can with a spout to direct the water, followed by a wipe down with rags. Sometimes I simply skip the water rinse and wipe off with rags.
There are most likely better ideas/methods out there, but NEVER flood the engine bay with water.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
I would NEVER spray a hose under there !!
If it is a bit more grimy, then use some Simple Green in a bucket with hot water to create some suds and use some rags, old toothbrushes to wipe it down and detail it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 324
From: Lynnwood Washington
I used a spray bottle of diluted simple green and a spray bottle with clean water, toothbrushes, q-tips and my leaf blower to dry any standing water. I moved the easy stuff like washer bottle radiator expansion tank etc. Here are the results. Turned out awesome.
[IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Terre Haute IN
Do you take your windshield wiper arms off to clean the engine bay?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 324
From: Lynnwood Washington
I did, I needed to pull the black cover that they sit over so I could clean underneath it. The black cover had wax build up from the previous owner who used the spray wax and it was all over the black cover that was the main reason I pulled it off.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski