I recently purchased a used 2000 c5 with 70k mi & want to clean and detail the motor, I need some advise before I get in trouble. :)

 

The only advice I have on this subject is to clean it by hand. Don't spray it with a water hose. Too much chance of water getting where it shouldn't especially on an older engine where wire connections might be more susceptible.

 

I have heard people spraying it with simple green and hosing it down. Someone said keep it running while you spray it. Good luck :seeya

 

I too am interested in cleaning the engine compartment. I bought a pressure washer and was thinking of spraying the engine with super green, then use low-medium pressure to rinse.

I'm a bit worried about affecting the electronics too.

Some club members spray their engines at the quarter car wash and have had no trouble. Knowing my luck, I'll drown something and be in trouble.

:crazy:

 

:iagree:



Nevermind the dirt on top of the power steering reservoir...I just noticed that....off to clean!




[Modified by doo600, 4:21 PM 4/28/2004]

 

I just cleaned my engine bay today after work. I found it very easy to just use a new rag with some zaino z10 on it and wipe everything down. Now adays, everything is covered in nice black plastic, so its easy to wipe off and then the zaino makes it shine. It took me maybe 15 minutes to do every piece of plastic and the hoses.

Now, I'm a bit of a neat freak about my engine bays as you can see here on my GTP:



Thats the engine with 37k miles on it. Now, in that car, I used to follow this procedure

1) park the car with a warm/hot engine
2) open engine bay, and spray entire engine with windex
3) close hood
4) wash the rest of the car
5) before you dry the car, open the hood and spray the whole engine down with the hose
6) close hood
7) dry the rest of the car
8) open hood and dry the engine off
9) spray the engine with tire foam
10) close hood
11) wax car
12) open hood and wipe off excess tire foam that has pooled with clean rag
13) enjoy as people's jaws drop.

There were two problems with that procedure that I was warned about. One was that spraying the engine with a hose would screw up the electronics. I never had a problem, but thats not to say you should go at it with a pressure washer. I just used a standard hose nossle. The second was that the tire foam would prematurely crack the belts. But since I was a stickler for the engine bay looking good, I was also a stickler for chaning the belts out, so I never ran into that problem either.

In case you are interested, you can see the rest of the pics here:
http://www.brianrobak.com/gallery//album27

I changed my procedure up a little for the vette now with the zaino instead of the tire foam, but I still windex, cook, hose, cook, zaino, wipe. Done.

 

I wouldn't recommend using simple Green. It is a good degreaser. however, it is corrosive to aluminum!!. Try using DAWN dishwashing soap.....

 

I use a two step engine cleaner that comes with a detailer spray. I do recommend that if you spray anything in the compartment, you keep the car running (as mentioned before) also, do not spray on or near the belt, nor on anything that is electrical, sure some will get on some electrical components, but the point is, you are to try and prevent that from happening. Once it sits a good 5-10 minutes turn the car on and spray it out with a hose, I use a high pressure (not a car wash) stram of water. I then wipe it out by hand with a cloth and spray the detailing spray on it. You shouldn't have to much of a problem by spraying the water hose in there as long as you dont over do it and try to keep from spraying all over the electrical components, because when you drive in the rain, guess what? Water does get up there and there is no preventing that.

Micah

 

I assume that the optispark issues of the C4 have been fixed. Spraying water into C4 used to = dead optispark.

I'd definately go the handwash route.

 

Do not use anything Including Simple Green That has a High Ph. It will discolor the Aluminum. If you can find a cleaner that Ph Neutral They work Great. Also Do not alow any cleaner to dry this can lead to stains.

I would also be carful hosing down a hot engine hot and cold can make things break. I did some damage one and It cost me a lot of money.

I would avoid the Tire foam. Usually made of Silicones which can dry out the Rubber. Find a good polymer dressing. They will acutally preserve the rubber and its elasticily and will not leave an oil film

 

~One man’s opinion / observations ~

Engine detailing simply implies cleaning the engine compartment and applying protective products to wiring, vinyl and rubber hoses and shields. It’s not a difficult task, albeit the first time cleaning is a somewhat messy one. Then after the initial detailing it’s just a matter of maintenance.

It’s really an easy 45-60 minute task every 2-3 months, the benefits are to increase the resale value of the vehicle and also highlight any leaks that can be rectified prior to becoming a major service repair.

Heated water breaks down water-soluble soiling faster as it reduces overall chemical usage because it reduces the surface tension of the fibre. Heat acts as a catalyst promoting quicker reactions between chemicals and the soil.

· Remove any excess debris; leaves and etc form the hood, grille or air-vent openings.
· Spray all electrical connectors with WD40, which repels water.
· Use cling-film, Saran wrap elastic covers, or aluminium foil to cover any sensors, electrical black boxes, electrical devises that could cause an electrical short-circuits if subjected to water spray.
· This will not guarantee that you wont cause a problem when cleaning an engine bay but it will greatly reduce the risks.
· Start and run the engine to get it warm, not hot, this will enable the de-greaser to work more efficiently on a warm surface.
· Apply an engine de-greaser (Autoglym Engine Cleaner) by lightly spraying the lower parts of the engine first and then working upwards.
· Do not allow the de-greaser to dry or remain on painted surfaces, and be sure to dilute with water and dry with a cloth.
· For heavily soiled areas agitate with a parts brush and a diluted general purpose cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash)
· When the grease and grime is dissolved and you’re ready to remove it, spray with a light pressure water hose.
· Allow the engine compartment to air dry and then thoroughly wipe down all accessible surfaces and then remove cling-film or aluminium foil.
· When everything is dry apply a vinyl/rubber protectant to hoses, shields and wires.
· Wipe off any excess with a clean cloth and apply a wax/sealant protection to painted surfaces.

Engine detailing leaves the engine compartment looking brand new. Mechanics realize that a clean engine belongs to someone who cares for their automobile, and will often take special care to undertake service repair work correctly.


~Hope this helps~

Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/

justadumbarchitect *so I question everything*