Cleaning Engine??
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cleaning Engine??
Could somebody tell me what is the safest and best process for cleaning the engine & engine bay area?
It really needs a real thorough cleaning.
What would I need to cover and be careful with other than the alternater?
:confused: :chevy
It really needs a real thorough cleaning.
What would I need to cover and be careful with other than the alternater?
:confused: :chevy
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 1
From: NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (Z06-JIM)
Check out this link http://www.autopia.ws/articles.php?articleId=25. Should give you all the info and procedures you need.
Collections Hold
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (Z06-JIM)
I use a product called Bike Bright, works great. It is a motorcycle spray wash cleaner and degreaser. It is designed to be used on all plastics and rubbers without harm. Leaves a protectant on hoses to make and keep them looking new. Very easy to use, just spray on and rinse off. However, it's not for very heavy grease but more for up keep. Try it you'll like it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Yuma AZ
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (Z06-JIM)
I liberally spray the entire engine compartment with Simple Green. I then grab a beer, run the engine for 5 minutes, turn of the engine, and hose it down. If you have been neglecting the engine compartment, you might need to do this twice in certain areas...requiring two beeers.
Note: do the engine compartment before you do the rest of the car.
I've been doing this for years with great results...
:cheers:
Mac
Note: do the engine compartment before you do the rest of the car.
I've been doing this for years with great results...
:cheers:
Mac
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (Pilot1996)
Hey Pilot1996, I like your technique. Might even have to give it a 1 or 2 beer pre-job analysis before starting. Will give it a try this weekend.
:lolg: :cheers: :lolg:
[Modified by Z06-JIM, 6:16 AM 10/29/2003]
:lolg: :cheers: :lolg:
[Modified by Z06-JIM, 6:16 AM 10/29/2003]
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (Z06-JIM)
Hey Pilot1996, I like your technique. Might even have to give it a 1 or 2 beer pre-job analysis before starting. Will give it a try this weekend.
:lolg: :cheers: :lolg:
[Modified by Z06-JIM, 6:16 AM 10/29/2003]
:lolg: :cheers: :lolg:
[Modified by Z06-JIM, 6:16 AM 10/29/2003]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,074
Likes: 1,558
From: Poway CA
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (DsC5)
Isn't simple green bad for the aluminum? :withstupid: :confused:
That's why I use Zymol Strik. It's citrus-based so any residual will not harm the aluminum.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (SDVette)
Isn't simple green bad for the aluminum? :withstupid: :confused:
Yes, when left in contact with aluminum for extended time. You better be sure you remove every drop of that stuff.
Yes, when left in contact with aluminum for extended time. You better be sure you remove every drop of that stuff.
I can't imagine them recommending it if their was potential to damage their expensive wheels?
:confused: :confused:
[Modified by Z06-JIM, 4:30 PM 11/22/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: Cleaning Engine?? (Z06-JIM)
The "don't use Simple Green on aluminum" cautions are usually traceable to an Air Force test in which the Air Force submerged samples of aircraft grade aluminum in a strong solution of simple Green for a week and noted severe material loss.
I think the message there is don't let concentrated Simple Green sit on aluminum for a long time. Also, if the part is painted or clear coated, the Simple Green isn't on the aluminum, it's on the coating.
I belive the Air Force concern was heightened by the potential of Simple Green solution getting trapped in a many million $ aluminum aircraft structure and siting there for long periods of time.
http://www.simplegreen.com/faq.html
has this to say
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green on aluminum?
Simple Green products have been successfully and safely used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: Aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green or Crystal Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times of All Purpose Simple Green and Crystal Simple Green with unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green/Crystal Simple Green residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
I also remember somthing about Simple green causing a slight haze on some, but not most, clear plastics but don't have a refernce. It did slightly haze the speedometer cover on a Dodge Colt I had.
I think the message there is don't let concentrated Simple Green sit on aluminum for a long time. Also, if the part is painted or clear coated, the Simple Green isn't on the aluminum, it's on the coating.
I belive the Air Force concern was heightened by the potential of Simple Green solution getting trapped in a many million $ aluminum aircraft structure and siting there for long periods of time.
http://www.simplegreen.com/faq.html
has this to say
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green on aluminum?
Simple Green products have been successfully and safely used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: Aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green or Crystal Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times of All Purpose Simple Green and Crystal Simple Green with unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green/Crystal Simple Green residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
I also remember somthing about Simple green causing a slight haze on some, but not most, clear plastics but don't have a refernce. It did slightly haze the speedometer cover on a Dodge Colt I had.
