Engine compartment, how to keep clean?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham Alabama
Engine compartment, how to keep clean?
So, I see all of these beautiful pictures that people post on here of the engine compartment. The engine looks so clean, bright and shiny. How do you either keep it clean or get it back to that clean?
I'd love to be able to open my hood and it look that great, but how, after 17,000 miles, do I get it like that?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks.
I'd love to be able to open my hood and it look that great, but how, after 17,000 miles, do I get it like that?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Exactly what I do. They key is to do it every time you wash the car. It's about another 3 minutes of work if you do it every time (just like the door jams and around the trunk).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern PA
I've noticed my Vette likes to pick up gravel. The frame rails collect small gravel and sand. I pointed this out during the C5/C6 bash in BG and the engineers were scratching their heads over this one. I'm especially concerned about the prolonged attack by stones on the alternator.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix for 6 months Alberta/Arizona
So, I see all of these beautiful pictures that people post on here of the engine compartment. The engine looks so clean, bright and shiny. How do you either keep it clean or get it back to that clean?
I'd love to be able to open my hood and it look that great, but how, after 17,000 miles, do I get it like that?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks.
I'd love to be able to open my hood and it look that great, but how, after 17,000 miles, do I get it like that?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 32,921
Likes: 2
From: Coppin' a tan from the Messiah's aura
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
didn't like phenomemon of making high-speed, airborne particles (esp those small stones on frame rails) ...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
Mine's a daily driver and I just pop the hood and wipe down the engine compartment with a damp microfiber towel as the last step of every wash. Only takes a minute or two and the engine bay stays looking nice.
HOOK-EM HORNS
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,517
Likes: 842
From: Port Aransas, Texas Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
I notice my tires picking up and throwing more gravel, loose stones etc, than any other car I have owned.
I hear it hitting the body also. At low, just starting out speeds like 2 to 5 mpg and no I am not spining my wheels........
I hear it hitting the body also. At low, just starting out speeds like 2 to 5 mpg and no I am not spining my wheels........
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Leesport Pa.
Mine stays real nice in the garage!!! Secret is to keep up with it every wash job like every one else says. Waiting until you have 17,000 miles and then clean it you have a lot of work ahead of you.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 37
From: NOLA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: NOVA VA
I wash it with car wash soap and water and a brush once a month (except during winter). I then wipe it dry with micro fiber as I do with the outside of the car.
I have done this with every car that I have ever owned and my engines are always pristine clean.
I have done this with every car that I have ever owned and my engines are always pristine clean.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
No substitute for elbow grease and hard work. Every time I wash the car (once per week) I pop the hood and wipe down the engine compartment. It takes extra time but not too bad if you keep up with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 0
From: La Quinta CA
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Central FL
I bought this car used with 12K on the odo; the car had been washed and interior vacuumed by the previous owner and that's it . The engine compartment and wheel wells were a mess.
Now they look like this:
Since I got them to this level they've been pretty easy to maintain.
Now they look like this:
Since I got them to this level they've been pretty easy to maintain.