Engine cleaning
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Engine cleaning
I'm going to wash the engine bay and am wanting to know what things on a C6 I need to cover. I will cover the ECU and the alternator but are there any other parts that may be hurt by the water, it will be a slow stream form my garden hose. It's my DD and was spotless when I bought it in November but has collected some dirt and I want to keep it as clean as possible. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
Don't worry
I hose mine off every time I wash the car. Gentle spray, dry and shine every time. Done it to all my cars since I was a kid and no problems at all, even with exposed filters, those I covered with a plastic bag.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I don't cover anything but I avoid spraying the alternator and air filter housings as much as possible - just start it up after washing to dry it up. The key is to keep it clean and not let it get too dirty and you will only have to do minor touch ups.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: In the Golden Triangle Texas
Wrap
I put some cling wrap on the alternator and some over the top of the battery but doubt I really néed too. I clean mine a couple times a year is all. I use the stuff called Brown Royal by a company called Flash. Used the strong version for the engine and lower strength for the wheels.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I went to Advance and bought a bottle of Purple Power Citrus Cleaner, I'll spray it on everything and then hose it off and see how it looks. I do have some 303 on hand to do the plastics after they dry. I went to a local car show on Saturday but did not show my car because it was dirty. That won't happen again. Thanx guy's for your help. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I use a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water in a 16 oz sprayer. I spray the complete engine compartment and then let it soak for a few minutes and then use a hose to gently rinse the engine down. If you don't mind things dripping for a while use the mixture on the hood insulator and then use the hose to gently soak the insulator to get the dirty solution out. Once you get everything rinsed close the hood and start the engine and let it run for 20 or 30 minutes to dry things out. You can wash the rest of the car while the engine drys.
Bill
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
You can not cover the ECM anyway as you can't get to it. Cover the alt and fuse block with plastic grocery bags and have the engine just warm before you clean it...not hot, just warm, as if you had driven it a couple of hours ago. I spray with 409, let sit for a couple of minutes and then rinse. Leave hood open...warmth helps it dry faster. Remove plastic right after last spray, don't leave it on while drying as condensation can occur under the plastic.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I used to rinse my eng bay with low pressure spot free water at the car wash, avoiding the alt. Had water enter the MAF connector and my eng went bezerk(this was 2 weeks after I washed it). Had it towed to shop as it was not driveable. They found the wet connection and blew it out with air then left it unplugged and sitting in the sun all day....no more problem.
Now I use detail spray and a micro fiber towel.
Now I use detail spray and a micro fiber towel.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I did both cars today and just covered the alternator with a plastic bag, let it sit for a couple minuets and then rinsed it off, closed the hood and let the car run for about 20. Looks good. Thanx!
Last edited by ls1121; Apr 23, 2013 at 04:25 PM.