I like to clean the well area/bay area, where my LS2 lies.
Our C6 is an everyday car, so the rain and dirt have found its way to the bay area under the hood.
I was told NEVER spray water there because of the electronics and such. This was on my old '87 Nissan. The Nissan doesn't even come close to the electronics of our C6!!
If this is true, (spraying in the engine compartment), how do clean the engine compartment? I can't get my hands in many places to do so.
Thanks for anyone's advice!
(Trying to fulfill one of the 10 commandments!)

 

I like a clean engine compartment and I spray the engine compartment on each of my cars every time I wash them. I have since they went to electronic ignitions. I think you have more concerns about cold water on a hot engine than water on the electronics.

 

I plan to wash my engine compartment fairly soon. Drying will be another job for the leaf blower

 

Great THANKS!!

 

I rinse mine off at the car wash with the "spot free rinse" setting. It won't leave water marks and the pressure is not very high so it won't force its way into something it shouldn't. I also never spray the alternator. I do this about every other time I wash the car. If you keep up with it, it should never get too dirty. Also never do when the engine is hot. My car wash is 2 blocks from my house. The temp gauge barely moves by the time I get there.

 

Well, I almost agree with everything, except....what alternator???

 

Well..I do a lot of concours competitions and some asked me to write up something about cleaning engine bays...I did this last year so here is my contribution to this thread>>>
Detailing the engine


First a ‘NOT what to do’ list:
• Never use the so called engine cleaners available in stores such as ‘Gunk Engine Cleaner’ or ‘Engine Steem’…all of these products are way too chemically aggressive and will damage metal parts, paint and hoses.
• NEVER have the engine steam cleaned at a commercial engine cleaning place. This process is only good if the intent is to clean an engine as part of a total rebuilding process such as in restoring a car.
• Use caution in power washing an engine. Even though modern engines are fairly well sealed, high-pressure water can make its way into connectors and electronic components of the engine compartment.

Now to ‘how to’:
• NOTE: this is not in reference to the C6 but other cars you may have with this condition: Although this is optional, I would strongly suggest doing this if this is the first engine cleaning…remove the under engine compartment plastic pan. The reason I say optional is simply removing this item is a pain due to number of connectors holding it on to the body and having to work under car, but with that said you will be amazed the amount of crud that collects on the pan.
• For cleaning agent use LiquiTech 421 MPC (this is excellent and can be used on wheels, wheel wells etc) and is available at www.myroadster.net . If you cannot obtain the 421 MPC then a reasonable substitution are the citrus-based cleaners available in all grocery stores. Sold under different names but usually is in a pump spray bottle and container is orange looking.
• Spray down the outside the engine compartment painted surfaces with water (NOT the inside of the engine compartment yet). Now spray with the cleaner the entire engine compartment (engine should be cool) and let sit for 5 minutes. Also if there is a particularly stubborn area use a brush (toothbrush works well) to work in cleaner.
• Now thoroughly spray down entire engine compartment and adjoining painted surfaces (fenders, front fascia etc) until all cleaner/dirt has been washed away.
• This next step is strictly based on having access to compressed air or a leaf blower (electric type or a side discharge exhaust type; BE AWARE that some gas blowers actually exhaust thru the air coming out of the blower and DO NOT use this type…blow engine compartment off. This gets water out of all the compartment crevices and crannies. Now dry off everything accessible with a towel. Pop off engine covers (such as the engine head covers) and dry off.
• Now start engine and let run for a couple minutes.
• If there is any remaining items such as cosmoline on engine compartment (cleaners generally will not remove cosmoline or paraffin based coatings) use Stoners XENIT Cleaner on a rag and wipe off. I use a lot of the Stoners product line and is excellent and can be ordered from www.moreshine.com or purchased at automotive stores.
• To finish process lightly spray engine and plastic pieces with Stoners Trim Shine LIGHTLY!. Close hood and with damp cloth wipe down fenders, windshield etc. just in case there was any over spray (Trim Shine will NOT harm painted surfaces but if left on will leave a film). Start engine and let run for 5 minutes…cures the Trim Shine. Open hood and behold one beautiful engine.
• If removed now re-install the cleaned under engine compartment pan.
• Important last step…get stool and beer...now sit and look at results of your efforts…smile a lot.

If any one wants I can do explanation for other detailing techniques for other portions of the car. For now though I would recommend Stoners Invisible Glass for windows and Stoners More Shine in Less Time for the tires…use these products and you will never use anything else!

Michael

 

Garden hose is O.K. High pressure blast at the car wash is more likely to unleash the electrical gremlins.

 

Mike...

Very generous with your typing time and techniques...Thank you.

 

Since all electrical items run on magic smoke you don't want to let it out.

 

You know, the thing that makes the electric stuff run. What do YOU call it? Did someone rename it and not tell me?

 

The one in the upper right...?

 

Hey Brett! On a recent project at work (you know where Devers is, eh?) I was in the room when they were checking phase rotation on a 480 volt circuit and they fried the meter (it was quite exciting). One of the electricians said (in a very thick East Texas drawl) " well that meter ain't no good anymore - they done let the smoke out of it" .

Kinda makes sense when you think about it

 

Let's make it known that typing skills and techiques "IS NOT" a prerequiste for being a "bull" engineer...sad but true!!!

 

Hose down your new Corvette engine area??

You gotta be nuts....what the hell are you thinking?

You are supposed to keep it wiped down.

Stop taking it 4 wheelin'...

Can't believe I'm the only to say this.

 

MIchael's advice is excellent. While I rarely have to wet-clean my engine compartment, when I do, I do it simiarly - even to the use of Stoner's Trim Shine. Since my car is a show car, I dust the engine compartment after every drive. I use a poly static duster (one of those dusters that looks like a racoon tail made of poly fibers). I use a dedicated electric blower that is not used for anything else. You certainly don't want to blow dirt at the engine (let alone the body).

TEAShea
from Nebraska

 

Heh, I was on crack...I was thinking distributer...

 

I don't know if this was corrected on the C6, but GM specifically stated that water should not be used to clean the engine bay of the C5. They issed a TSB, as I recall, about a sensor going bad due to corrosion from water finding its way under something in or around the intake manifold.

I can't remember the specifics--perhaps someone else can.

 

On my other car I have always used Gunk and love that scent. But one tme it did cause a short during a 16 year period that I have been doing that but the car I Gunk doesn't have no where the electronics and sensors the C-6 has.

 

Michael, thanks for your input. Truly appreciate it-looks like I know what I'm doing this weekend!