Engine compartment cleaning....best method?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 2
From: Meridian, ID
Engine compartment cleaning....best method?
How about some best practices for water cleaning under the hood? I use and love Adam's products and have viewed his on-line video procedures for water cleaning the engine compartment. He even states what cars to definately NOT water clean under the hood and the C6 is not one of them. Still I'm concerned about getting something wet that shouldn't be and causing an electrical issue of some kind. I assume the engine compartment is designed to take a certain amount of moisture/water through normal use. After a few thousand miles dust and dirt start to build up a bit and I want it gone. Any suggestions/experiences/recommendations? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
In the old days I used hot water to clean my engines but not today. There are too many electrical components that could get wet. I wipe things down often, add Armor all and the engine and area stay clean. I have a 98 that the engine looks like new, maybe better and it has never had water on it. I use compressed air to blow the dust sand out of the tight spots. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
With a cold engine, I spray the engine compartment with 409 (because the 409 was a great Chevy engine), let it set for about 1 minute, and then carefully rinse it off, and dry any pools of water with a towel. The trick is to "never let the engine compartment get too dirty". I am very careful around the generator and underhood electrical center. All of the under hood connectors are P.E.D. "weather pak" connectors and are water resistant.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by calemasters
With a cold engine, I spray the engine compartment with 409 (because the 409 was a great Chevy engine), let it set for about 1 minute, and then carefully rinse it off, and dry any pools of water with a towel. The trick is to "never let the engine compartment get too dirty". I am very careful around the generator and underhood electrical center. All of the under hood connectors are P.E.D. "weather pak" connectors and are water resistant.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
I wash mine with the same hose, soap and mitt I use on the rest of the car. I use a hose nozzle with a gentle "shower" setting so as not to force water where it should not go, and dry what I can reach easy with a towel to prevent spots. Then, I take the car out for a spin and get the engine up to temp to make sure to blow or evaporate the water I couldn't reach with the towel.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Whittier California
Here's a simple, cheap and quick cleaning tip. Spray everything under the hood (except the serpentive belt) with Pledge or Favor spray furniture polish. (Favor high-shine spray is $1.99 at Wally World). Smear the polish into all of the cevices with a soft cheap-o paint brush. Wipe off the excess polish with a soft towel.
This takes about 5 minutes. The polish gives the plastic parts and hoses a nice shine and removes dirt and oily film. There will not be any build-up of polish in crevices as there would be with using a wax product.
This takes about 5 minutes. The polish gives the plastic parts and hoses a nice shine and removes dirt and oily film. There will not be any build-up of polish in crevices as there would be with using a wax product.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 3
From: Hugetown Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Go to a motorcycle shop and get S100 cleaner. It comes in a concentrate. Spray on a cold engine and wash off. S100 is made to clean completely without hurting aluminum or painted parts. Do this every month and you'll have no problems. Works great on brake dusted wheels, too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
St. Jude Donor 06
Originally Posted by FAsnakes
THat's not nice
but funny..I don't care who ya are, that there is funny. Now if he would have only added that they would car pool over in one mini van.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Originally Posted by Indy-hp
I wash mine with the same hose, soap and mitt I use on the rest of the car. I use a hose nozzle with a gentle "shower" setting so as not to force water where it should not go, and dry what I can reach easy with a towel to prevent spots. Then, I take the car out for a spin and get the engine up to temp to make sure to blow or evaporate the water I couldn't reach with the towel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by calemasters
With a cold engine, I spray the engine compartment with 409 (because the 409 was a great Chevy engine), let it set for about 1 minute, and then carefully rinse it off, and dry any pools of water with a towel. The trick is to "never let the engine compartment get too dirty". I am very careful around the generator and underhood electrical center. All of the under hood connectors are P.E.D. "weather pak" connectors and are water resistant.
