washing engine compartment

[wink]

My engine compartment is getting pretty dirty and need some tips on how to wash it without messing anything up(what shouldn't I get wet). Any ideas?

[AMRAAM4]

Honestly...you aren't gonna mess anything up with water so long as you spray with a moderate mist. You can jet stream non-delicate areas if need be.

I detailed cars for 3 years and learned from a "pro' (career detailer).
1.) Spray the car down and get it wet (helps if any overspray gets on fenders)
2.) Spray engine degreaser on, or other motor cleaner.
3.) Let sit for a minute or two
4.) Spray off thoroughly
5.) Get in the car and start it up, let it run for a couple minutes to blow off the water.

Note, this doesn't mean to sit there and blast the hell out of the plug areas, battery, etc. Just spray it like a garden and you are fine. However, I probably wouldn't advise this on a high performance car like a Ferrari, Lambo, or maybe even a rotary motor.

Go about cleaning the car after, and finally, when all is done, pop the hood and towel of the motor area or use an old chamois. Then take a spray bottle of tire shine and lightly dot the motor over, mostly ont he rubber hoses and black plastic. Take a rag and then wipe it nice and shiny. BUT DO NOT use a ton of shine!!!! Just enough to bring out a luster.

[wink]

Great tips, thanks for the help.:thumbs:

[zegoldfish]

Spectacular. My engine bay is in some serious need of cleaning and I wasn't sure of the best way to go abou it. Good ****.

[gtaholic]

I was told the same thing as above except leave it running. Why I don't know but I didn't hurt anything when I cleaned mine with a pressure washer after a coolant hose blew.

[AMRAAM4]

The problem with having the motor running is that it creates heat (obviously). You want to have a nice cold motor so that the water and cleaning solution don't get burned off or evaporate seconds after it touches the engine compartment. You want that cleaner to soak a bit, and if the engine is warm it won't do the job well.

So add that to my list as well, cold engine.

[cyoonak]

I've also had horror stories where someone sprayed cold water onto a hot engine and the block cracked... not saying that will happen, but why risk it? besides... it's almost commone sense that you wouldn't want a hot running engine mixed with cold tap water...

but on that note, cold engine plus water equals shiny engine! :thumbs:

[gtaholic]

Test the temp at a car wash. It is not cold tap water.

[koolZ71]

Originally posted by gtaholic
Test the temp at a car wash. It is not cold tap water.


he speaketh the truth..its like luke warm....now a garden hose is another story...but ur safe at the car wash

[PONCHO]

In some of the small cracks and intricate detail areas I use 2 bottles, one with the cleaner and one with pure water. This has worked very well for me and I use that process before the car show. My motor is clean enough to eat off of. :thumbs:

[AznGA]

There is a reason why our engine compartment can get dirty easily. The gap between the hood and the top part of grill is too big.

[shawn2ktats]

Originally posted by PONCHO
In some of the small cracks and intricate detail areas I use 2 bottles, one with the cleaner and one with pure water. This has worked very well for me and I use that process before the car show.
My motor is clean enough to eat off of. :thumbs:

kool what will we be having for dinner lol

[SweetAlero99]

i soaked my engine bay pretty good at the do it yourself car wash about a months ago.

i ended up soaking my electronics apparentely........... the car ran ruff and wanted to keep dieing on me....... os i just got it fired up and kept my rpm's around 2000 for 5 minutes or so to create enuff heat in the engine bay to dry everything off.

car ran fine after that........... so even if you get your **** wet....... dont fret......... just let it dry out real well.

[PONCHO]

Originally posted by shawn2ktats
kool what will we be having for dinner lol

P.B. & J and doritos lol.:cheers:

[schizm99]

Just my $0.02

The reason you would start the engine would be to keep moisture from soaking the ignition system. That's old school!
Today you shut them off and run them wet if need be. The longer it dries cold the better the shine. ( my opinion)

Do not use the product called GUNK. It rots plastic and rubber. Use dish liquid equavelant. I like PS80 or simply green, found in auto parts dealers or even grocery stores.

I would strongly suggest that you look inside your airbox and wipe out dirt and crud from there too. I like to go over my plastics and rubber with a wet paper towel that is saturated with ARMOL ALL or like...
:p

[Gramp's GT]

I was thinking about doing it the quick and lazy way and have someone shampoo or steam clean it. Is there a problem doing it this way (besides costing money)?

[waffler]

i heard oven cleaner works also.. any opinions on this

[Kodeblue]

Today, I did my engine compartment. i used Simple Green as I did last year and it looks brand new again. I just sprayed the simple green on, rinsed the car all off, then rinsed the engine compartment clean. To add the finishing touch, I use this spray foam **** for tires, and spray it over all the hoses and anything else black. :thumbs:

[lightningGA]

sweet...definitly some good **** right here:thumbs: