Vacuuming the engine compartment
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,490
Likes: 8
Vacuuming the engine compartment
South Carolina's roads are some of the worst in the nation. I get all kinds of dirt and small gravel inside the engine compartment. What do you guys use to clean that out? 
I suppose I could just blast it out with the hose but I am betting one of you has a better idea.
I suppose I could just blast it out with the hose but I am betting one of you has a better idea.
Last edited by The Director; May 6, 2017 at 05:01 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
South Carolina's roads are some of the worst in the nation. I get all kinds of dirt and small gravel inside the engine compartment. What do you guys use to clean that out?
I suppose I could just blast it out with the hose but I am betting one of you has a better idea.
I suppose I could just blast it out with the hose but I am betting one of you has a better idea.
Last edited by Vet Interested; May 6, 2017 at 05:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 565
From: Mesquite NV
When I get sand (which happens often out here), I wipe the engine compartment down with a dry rag; if it's down where I can't get to it, I use my ShopVac to blow it out. I follow this with wiping everything down with a damp cloth lightly sprayed with a detailer ... engine compartment still looks great after 10 years & 90K+ miles 
Last edited by Welker1; May 6, 2017 at 05:26 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
Same here. I might ad that you can use one of those long wand type air nozzles with the rubber tips and then you can get into the nicks and crannies. Just remember to blow down the whole car when your done as of course some of the stuff from under the hood is gonna wind up on the car....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have never found a shop vac very good at cleaning the engine compartment very well.
An air compressor would work a lot better, but I am thinking that your going to need a pretty big air compressor to effectively blow out the engine compartment real good (need a big supply of air)
So, what have I found that works the best? .... A gas powered leaf blower.
BTW ... a good gas powered leaf blower also is perfect for blow drying your car off after washing it.
Just my opinion
An air compressor would work a lot better, but I am thinking that your going to need a pretty big air compressor to effectively blow out the engine compartment real good (need a big supply of air)
So, what have I found that works the best? .... A gas powered leaf blower.
BTW ... a good gas powered leaf blower also is perfect for blow drying your car off after washing it.
Just my opinion
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
A fairly good size old rag, a long skinny screwdriver, some Armorall, and lots of time. Once you get it clean, its fairly easy to keep it that way. Just have to do it once every other month or so. I don't use air to blow, it just blows it some where else, where I usually can't reach.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
I have never found a shop vac very good at cleaning the engine compartment very well.
An air compressor would work a lot better, but I am thinking that your going to need a pretty big air compressor to effectively blow out the engine compartment real good (need a big supply of air)
So, what have I found that works the best? .... A gas powered leaf blower.
BTW ... a good gas powered leaf blower also is perfect for blow drying your car off after washing it.
Just my opinion
An air compressor would work a lot better, but I am thinking that your going to need a pretty big air compressor to effectively blow out the engine compartment real good (need a big supply of air)
So, what have I found that works the best? .... A gas powered leaf blower.
BTW ... a good gas powered leaf blower also is perfect for blow drying your car off after washing it.
Just my opinion
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 98
From: York PA
My biggest issue when I drive from San Diego to Arizona & back is sand. I averaged 78mph on my last trip and the sand seems to hide everywhere. I do use a shop vac to get rid of most of the sand in the engine compartment. (I do not blow it out which makes it worse).Then wipe everything down with a damp rag. Everything looks new when done.
The same for me.....
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 141
From: Kaukauna WI
I absolutely love my Master Blaster blower. I use it to blow out the interior (never need to use a vacuum), the engine bay, the wheels/tires (brake dust), etc. Then I use it to blow out my garage and sidewalk. 8 freaking horsepower! Expensive but worth every penny.
http://www.autogeek.net/mema.html
http://www.autogeek.net/mema.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 130
Our roads are terrible here and I get a lot of small pebbles in the nooks and crannies around the frame.
I use my shop vac with the attachments to get in tight places. I also go under the car and vacuum around the rear suspension/transmission. A lot of stuff accumulates back there as well.
I use my shop vac with the attachments to get in tight places. I also go under the car and vacuum around the rear suspension/transmission. A lot of stuff accumulates back there as well.